Money Talks

This is Money Talks - a podcast from the Irish Independent hosted by Katie Byrne, focused on our relationship with money - from the first time we discovered it right up to how we spend it today. Each week, you’ll hear anecdotes, advice, and eyebrow-raising admissions from Katie's guests as they delve into their finances and how it impacts their lives – the good, the bad, and the ugly. So, if that sounds like a show worth investing in, you can follow Money Talks wherever you get your podcasts... new episodes land on Wednesdays.

‘Fairytale of New York’ and the commerce of Christmas songs – how much money do they make?

Merry Xmas Everybody, Fairytale of New York, and of course Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas is You - genuinely iconic Christmas songs, all, but how much cash do they rake in, who gets the money and why have we not had any newly profitable festive smashes in recent years? Host: Katie Byrne Guest: John Meagher The content of this podcast is for information purposes and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation of any investment productSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

12-24
21:24

“There is a grief there”: Eoin McGee on how winning the Lotto changes lives forever

Congratulations, you've won the Lotto. Now, what exactly do you do next? One of the most important things a new winner will do is sit down and speak with a financial planner to guide them through the process – after all, the life they knew is forever changed. One such planner is Eoin McGee, founder of Prosperous Financial Services, who visits the Money Talks studio this week to pull back the curtain on the admin of cashing in a golden ticket, and the perhaps unexpected existential pressures that come with it. Host: Katie Byrne Guest: Eoin McGee The content of this podcast is for information purposes and does not constitute investment advice or recommendation of any investment product.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

12-17
32:00

The biggest financial fights of Christmas - and how to avoid them

’Tis the season for giving, goodwill and some gruelling financial headaches that can lead to heated arguments. There is rarely a good time for a row, but surely we all want Christmas to be full of joy and free of stress. So what are the biggest money-related fights of the festive season? And how can you avoid them altogether? Host: Katie Byrne Guest: Maxine Walsh The content of this podcast is for information purposes and does not constitute investment advice or recommendation of any investment product.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

12-10
21:34

Fly In, Fly Out: ‘I made $141,000 in nine months - and had two months off at Christmas’

Fly In, Fly Out – or ‘FIFO’ for short – is all about taking up temporary employment in a remote location where the demands are extremely intense, but the rewards are hugely lucrative. It’s not for everyone and valid questions have been raised about safety. For Irishman occasionally abroad Cal McIlwaine, FIFO has become a way of life. On this episode of Money Talks, he breaks down his FIFO journey, the hard hours and the big-money payoffs. ­ Host: Katie Byrne Guest: Cal McIlwaine ­ The content of this podcast is for information purposes and does not constitute investment advice or recommendation of any investment product.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

12-03
34:22

Crime World’s Nicola Tallant: ‘There’s no insurance policy – if a criminal is shot dead, their family is left with nothing'

SundayWorld.com is getting a new look by rebranding to CrimeWorld.com - your inside track on Ireland’s criminal underworld. To mark the occasion, acclaimed journalist and broadcaster Nicola Tallant visits the Money Talks studio to talk through her relationship with money while also shining the spotlight on the high-wire finances of crime – from lavish spends to deep regrets to incredible danger. Host: Katie Byrne Guest: Nicola Tallant The content of this podcast is for information purposes and does not constitute investment advice or recommendation of any investment product.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11-26
33:26

Are you wealthy or affluent? How to spot the difference

Do you consider yourself wealthy or affluent? Do you know the differences between the two? Does it all come down to human nature? On this episode of Money Talks, host Katie Byrne is joined by Irish Independent personal finance columnist Sinéad Ryan to examine the financial divide between the people who look like they have it and those who actually do. ­ Host: Katie Byrne Guest: Sinéad Ryan ­ The content of this podcast is for information purposes and does not constitute investment advice or recommendation of any investment product.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11-19
24:58

‘Money makes money’ – how to invest your child benefit with Sinead Ryan

Child benefit is one of Ireland’s few universal payments, but how you use that €140 a month could change your child’s future. Financial expert Sinead Ryan joins Katie Byrne to break down the smartest approaches to saving or investing it, from deposit accounts to managed funds and compound growth. Whether you’re starting on day one or your child’s already in secondary school, it’s not too late to build a meaningful nest egg. Host: Katie Byrne Guest: Sinead Ryan ­ The content of this podcast is for information purposes and does not constitute investment advice or recommendation of any investment product.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11-12
22:47

Helen Steele: ‘In 2014, when my investors pulled out, I was broke...  I had also started going down the route of separation, so I was extremely broke’

Warned at a young age that the art world was unlikely to yield much fortune, Helen Steele nonetheless committed to her dream and adopted a fearless approach that led to success and acclaim. On this episode of Money Talks, she paints a picture of a most vivid life; from dazzling career highs to personal and professional lows, including her struggles with ADHD and marriage separation. ­ Host: Katie Byrne Guest: Helen Steele ­ The content of this podcast is for information purposes and does not constitute investment advice or recommendation of any investment product.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11-05
37:35

‘My own renovation will cost about €250k’ – quantity surveyor Shay Lally on finding his forever home, and the real cost of renovating

Renovating a house can be a massive undertaking when it comes to your time, your energy and, of course, your money. So, how do you keep costs down and get things done in an efficient and enjoyable manner? Quantity surveyor Shay Lally of Houses to Restore joins us for a quickfire guide to home renovation, with red flags, hidden costs, available grants, the DIY approach and plenty more on the to-do list. Host: Katie Byrne Guest: Shay Lally. The content of this podcast is for information purposes and does not constitute investment advice or recommendation of any investment product. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10-29
22:37

Rory’s Travel Club: How do you get 250,000 people to pay you €12 per year?

In 2019, Rory King started a Facebook page to inspire people to travel more often and save money in the process. It was never meant to explode into a substantial business with 250,000 customers, but here we are. Mr King doesn’t intend to stop there. So, how does he convince so many people to sign up? And what do they get for their money? Host: Katie Byrne Guest: Rory King The content of this podcast is for information purposes and does not constitute investment advice or recommendation of any investment product.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10-22
31:20

Mortgage overpayment: ‘By overpaying €200 per month, you're repaying your mortgage five years earlier and saving €44,736 in interest’

Have you ever thought about overpaying your mortgage? It’s not for everyone, but it could rapidly shave years off your mortgage term and ultimately boost your bank balance. Martina Hennessy, CEO of online mortgage broker Doddl.ie, takes us through the dos, the don’ts, and the staggering amount of money you could save on interest. Host: Katie Byrne Guest: Martina Hennessy The content of this podcast is for information purposes and does not constitute investment advice or recommendation of any investment product.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10-15
22:13

Financial Independence, Retire Early: ‘It took us three years to save €100,000’

The ‘FIRE’ movement - ‘Financial Independence, Retire Early’ - dates back to the 1990s and is very much in fashion today among people who want to build a nest egg that allows them to walk away from their career in their 50s, 40s, or even their 30s. Michael Houghton, a major proponent of the movement, explains his journey so far, the key ways to save, and how he built a family portfolio of €700,000 in seven years. Host: Katie Byrne Guest: Michael Houghton The content of this podcast is for information purposes and does not constitute investment advice or recommendation of any investment product. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10-08
37:49

Budget 2026: What your payslip will look like in January

It’s that time of year again – the budget has landed. What does it mean for you and your bank balance? With last year’s ‘giveaway’ budget firmly consigned to the history books, it’s time to tighten our belts. On this episode of Money Talks, the Irish Independent business team breaks down the winners, the losers and the main headlines from this year’s balance sheet. Host: Katie Byrne Guests: Charlie Weston and Sinéad RyanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10-07
27:40

'I went to New York first class. I spent it with the faith that there'd be more money' artist Kevin Sharkey on making almost €5m and losing it all

At the height of the Celtic Tiger, artist Kevin Sharkey was living a champagne lifestyle, having made almost €5 million from selling his art. When the 2008 economic crash hit Ireland, his fortunes took a sudden turn for the worse. On this episode he talks about his harrowing upbringing, his creative comeback and why he’s still determined to live every day like his last. ­ Host: Katie Byrne. Guest: Kevin Sharkey ­ The content of this podcast is for information purposes and does not constitute investment advice or recommendation of any investment product.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10-01
47:51

Matchmaker Mairead Loughman: ‘I don't split the bill with friends or with family. Never have. So why would you do it on a first date?’

As a former financial adviser turned professional matchmaker, Mairead Loughman has the inside track on how money matters can impact romantic relationships. On this episode, she talks about financial red flags, how she manages her clients’ money expectations, and why she thinks the biggest financial decision you will ever make is who you decide to have a relationship with. ­ Host: Katie Byrne. Guest: Mairead Loughman ­ The content of this podcast is for information purposes and does not constitute investment advice or recommendation of any investment product.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

09-24
37:13

Chef JP McMahon: ‘I’ve spent between €1,500 and €2,000 on meals for two people in the past... Was it the best meal of my life? Probably not’

Having opened his first restaurant during the 2008 global economic crash, JP McMahon knows a thing or two about resilience. Very much a staple of the west of Ireland’s food scene, he also knows both the taste and the cost of fine dining. On this episode, he lifts the lid on his career to date, the demands of the industry, tipping culture, expensive meals and his creative exploits away from the kitchen. Host: Katie Byrne. Guest: JP McMahon The content of this podcast is for information purposes and does not constitute investment advice or recommendation of any investment product. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

09-17
44:05

Caz Mooney: ‘ We sat down with our kids and said, look, we're going to do a low-spend year and hopefully buy our own home’

Caz Mooney didn’t set out to become a budgeting guru with a huge following on social media, but life is funny sometimes. Having embarked on a strict and strategic “low-spend year” with her family, she cleared her debt and saved €15,000. On this episode of Money Talks, she takes us through the challenges, the successes and how to go about it. Host: Katie Byrne Guest: Caz Mooney The content of this podcast is for information purposes and does not constitute investment advice or recommendation of any investment product. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

09-10
37:31

‘Our date nights are usually at the kitchen table... two laptops and a takeaway’ – Dublin skincare entrepreneur Sara Stokes on bootstrapping her beauty brand and touring with U2

Dublin-born but London-based Sara Stokes switched out a rock star lifestyle, touring with the likes of U2, to become an entrepreneur with a unique focus. She heads up Skn To Skn - a purpose-built beauty brand aimed at pregnant women. On this episode of Money Talks, she discusses when she spotted a gap in the market, how she bootstrapped the venture, and what the music industry taught her about management.  Host: Katie Byrne Guest: Sara StokesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

09-03
31:12

The secret millionaire: Dublin game developer Dáire Bohan (23) on why he hid his wealth from friends, family and even his girlfriend

What’s it like to become a millionaire in your early 20s? For Dublin-based games developer Dáire Bohan, the aim was to keep life as normal as possible. And so, he chose to keep his wealth quiet for as long as he could. Now, the secret is out. “It still feels a bit surreal to say the ‘M’ word,” he says, but he’s getting used to it. On this episode, he explains how his love of video games paid off, and the unique challenges of making big money at a very young age. Host: Katie Byrne Guest: Dáire Bohan The content of this podcast is for information purposes and does not constitute investment advice or recommendation of any investment product. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

08-27
40:05

'I’ve got the best in the biz’: TikTok star Lauren Whelan on hiring a financial adviser and starting a pension at 23

At just 23 years old, Lauren Whelan is one of the biggest Irish names on TikTok, boasting a following of almost two million. The social media influencing space is big business, and Whelan has the long term in mind, with a pension and a financial adviser as important to her portfolio as tapping into the latest online trends.    Host: Katie Byrne Guest: Lauren Whelan   The content of this podcast is for information purposes and does not constitute investment advice or recommendation of any investment product.     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

08-20
31:25

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