Money Talks
Business & Finance
About
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.
Episodes
- Tax tips that could save you thousands, with Alan Purcell of CloudAccount
Katie Byrne is joined by Alan Purcell of CloudAccounts to discuss tax tips and how to claim tax refunds. They cover what listeners might be entitled to and how easy it is to claim, noting that the average refund issued this year was €1,000.
- The secret habits of financially successful couples
Leah McMahon, a senior financial planner, joins Katie Byrne to discuss the financial habits of successful couples. They explore how some couples build wealth together, highlighting the advantages of financial alignment in relationships.
- How Rosemary MacCabe and her husband are tackling $80k debt
Rosemary MacCabe and her husband discuss their experience tackling $80,000 in debt. The episode covers their budgeting process and cultural perspectives on debt in America.
- How to pay off your mortgage ahead of schedule with personal finance blogger Ellie Kistnen
Ellie Kistnen discusses her experience paying off debt and offers advice on early mortgage repayment, switching providers, and daily budgeting. She shares her personal finance story and strategies.
- Robert Whelan on the seven silent wealth killers
Robert Whelan of Rockwell Financial joins host Katie Byrne to discuss seven subtle financial habits and expenses that can hinder wealth building. He explains how addressing factors such as financial nostalgia and the age-risk gap can lead…
- Are Irish dodgy-box users about to get hit with fines? Plus, how to get better value from streaming services
This episode of Money Talks examines the High Court's ruling allowing Sky to pursue users of illegal 'dodgy boxes'. Additionally, the hosts discuss how consumers can find better value when choosing legitimate digital entertainment streamin…
- Securing your child’s financial future: Money expert Cian Carolan shares his playbook
Guest Cian Carolan joins host Katie Byrne to discuss financial planning for children, covering topics from saving and investing to long-term education planning in the context of rising living costs.
- Mortgage rate spikes, airfare increases and soaring fuel prices – how the Iran war could hit your pocket
In this episode of Money Talks, Katie Byrne and Saoirse Hanley discuss how the conflict in the Middle East may impact personal finances, particularly through fuel, airfare, and mortgage costs.
- Escaping burnout: ‘I threw up on my way to work out of sheer stress and panic’
Rosanna Irwin discusses her transition from a high-pressure tech career to establishing Samsú, a cabin-based digital detox business in Ireland. She shares her experiences with burnout, the process of bootstrapping the project, and her refl…
- Andrew Lynch on Homely, the rent-to-buy startup designed to help ‘quirky’ mortgage cases
Andrew Lynch discusses the founding of Homely, a rent-to-buy startup in Ireland created to assist people who face difficulties securing traditional mortgages. Host Katie Byrne speaks with Lynch about his personal experience navigating the…
- Heir Hunting: Maeve Mullin of Finders International Ireland on her unique and rewarding career
Katie Byrne interviews Maeve Mullin, Director of Finders International Ireland, about her career as an heir hunter. The conversation covers how one enters the profession, the daily tasks involved, and how people typically respond to unexpe…
- ‘The art of the possible’ – Martina Hennessy on getting a mortgage over 40
Host Katie Byrne speaks with Martina Hennessy of Doddl.ie about the trends, challenges, and long-term implications of securing a mortgage in your 40s and beyond.
- “The forehead doesn’t age on its own”: Liz Dwyer on a holistic approach to Botox budgeting
Liz Dwyer, co-founder of the Future Beauty Show, joins host Katie Byrne to discuss consumer education regarding costs and treatments in Ireland's cosmetic industry, including her approach to aesthetic procedures.
- ‘The day we got back to zero was one of the best days of my life’ – Kel Galavan on climbing out of negative equity and learning to invest
Money coach Kel Galavan discusses her journey from negative equity to financial stability and offers advice on investing for beginners. Host Katie Byrne explore her personal story and the cultural factors influencing investment habits in I…
- “ Nothing grows in the comfort zone”: Dan Malone on making your savings work for you
Financial adviser Dan Malone joins host Katie Byrne on Money Talks to discuss the importance of financial literacy and strategies for making savings work harder in Ireland.
- ‘I start saving in February for next Christmas’: Irish Budgeting Mammy on her savings journey
Ann-Marie Gaynor, known as the Irish Budgeting Mammy, discusses her journey with personal finance and shares advice on managing budgets. Host Katie Byrne speaks with her about practical strategies for saving money throughout the year.
- “Forget loyalty”: How you could save thousands by switching your service providers
In this episode of Money Talks, host Katie Byrne joins guests Charlie Weston and Sinéad Ryan to explore the benefits of switching service providers and why many consumers hesitate to do so. They provide practical advice on how to successfu…
- ‘If you can’t afford to buy it twice, you can’t afford to buy it’: Getting to grips with debt in 2026
On this episode of Money Talks, host Katie Byrne and guest Eoin McGee discuss strategies for managing debt at the beginning of the new year. They explore personal experiences with debt and examine the principle that one should be able to a…
- “Get uncomfortable with it”: How to conquer your new year money resolutions
Host Katie Byrne and guest Cian Carolan discuss managing personal finances and setting financial goals for the new year. They explore the effectiveness of common financial resolutions and when to begin reviewing one's bank balance.
- ‘Fairytale of New York’ and the commerce of Christmas songs – how much money do they make?
Host Katie Byrne and guest John Meagher discuss the commercial success of iconic Christmas songs, exploring how the royalties work and why few recent festive tracks have achieved similar profitability.
- “There is a grief there”: Eoin McGee on how winning the Lotto changes lives forever
Financial planner Eoin McGee joins host Katie Byrne on the Money Talks podcast to discuss the financial and emotional implications of winning the lottery. He explores the professional guidance required when managing significant sudden weal…
- The biggest financial fights of Christmas - and how to avoid them
This episode of Money Talks discusses common financial conflicts during the Christmas season and offers advice on how to prevent them, hosted by Katie Byrne with guest Maxine Walsh. The content is for informational purposes only and does n…
- Fly In, Fly Out: ‘I made $141,000 in nine months - and had two months off at Christmas’
Cal McIlwaine shares his experience with Fly In, Fly Out (FIFO) work, detailing how he earned $141,000 in nine months while working in remote, demanding locations. The episode explores the intense nature and high financial rewards of FIFO…
- Crime World’s Nicola Tallant: ‘There’s no insurance policy – if a criminal is shot dead, their family is left with nothing'
Journalist Nicola Tallant joins Money Talks to discuss the financial aspects of crime, covering everything from lavish spending and regrets to the inherent dangers involved. The episode also touches on the lack of financial security for fa…
- Are you wealthy or affluent? How to spot the difference
On this episode of Money Talks, host Katie Byrne and guest Sinéad Ryan explore the distinctions between being wealthy and affluent, examining the financial divide and human nature's role.
- ‘Money makes money’ – how to invest your child benefit with Sinead Ryan
Financial expert Sinead Ryan discusses strategies for saving and investing Ireland's €140 monthly child benefit payment on Money Talks. Options covered include deposit accounts, managed funds, and compound growth, suitable for various ages.
- 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’
Helen Steele shares her journey in the art world, detailing career highs and lows, including financial struggles and personal challenges like ADHD and marriage separation.
- ‘My own renovation will cost about €250k’ – quantity surveyor Shay Lally on finding his forever home, and the real cost of renovating
Quantity surveyor Shay Lally joins Money Talks to provide a guide to home renovation, discussing costs, potential challenges, grants, and the DIY approach. The episode focuses on managing the time, energy, and financial investment required…
- Rory’s Travel Club: How do you get 250,000 people to pay you €12 per year?
Rory King founded Rory's Travel Club, starting from a Facebook page in 2019 to inspire travel and savings. The venture unexpectedly grew to 250,000 customers, with Rory King aiming for further expansion. Host Katie Byrne discusses how he a…
- Mortgage overpayment: ‘By overpaying €200 per month, you're repaying your mortgage five years earlier and saving €44,736 in interest’
Martina Hennessy, CEO of Doddl.ie, explains how overpaying a mortgage can save significant time and interest. Overpaying €200 monthly could result in repaying the mortgage five years earlier and saving €44,736 in interest.
- Financial Independence, Retire Early: ‘It took us three years to save €100,000’
Michael Houghton discusses the FIRE movement, sharing his journey of saving €100,000 in three years and building a €700,000 family portfolio over seven years. The episode focuses on strategies for financial independence and early retiremen…
- Budget 2026: What your payslip will look like in January
The Irish Independent business team discusses the 2026 budget, explaining what it means for personal finances and payslips. The episode covers the budget
- '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
Artist Kevin Sharkey shares his experience of earning nearly €5 million and subsequently losing it all after the 2008 economic crash. He also touches upon his upbringing, creative resurgence, and his philosophy on living life to the fulles…
- 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?’
Mairead Loughman, a former financial adviser turned matchmaker, joins host Katie Byrne on Money Talks to discuss the intersection of money and relationships. Loughman shares insights on financial red flags, managing client expectations, an…
- 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’
Chef JP McMahon shares insights on his career resilience, having opened a restaurant during the 2008 crash. He discusses the costs of fine dining, industry demands, and his creative projects with host Katie Byrne.
- 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, guest on Money Talks with host Katie Byrne, details her family's successful "low-spend year" where they saved €15,000 and cleared debt. Mooney shares the challenges and successes of this strategy aimed at home ownership.
- ‘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
Sara Stokes, founder of the beauty brand Skn To Skn, shares her journey of bootstrapping the venture focused on pregnant women. She also draws parallels between her experience in the music industry, including touring with U2, and her curre…
- The secret millionaire: Dublin game developer Dáire Bohan (23) on why he hid his wealth from friends, family and even his girlfriend
Dáire Bohan, a 23-year-old Dublin-based games developer, discusses the surreal experience of becoming a millionaire at a young age and his strategy of keeping his wealth secret. He explains how his passion for video games led to his financ…
- 'I’ve got the best in the biz’: TikTok star Lauren Whelan on hiring a financial adviser and starting a pension at 23
TikTok influencer Lauren Whelan, 23, shares her approach to managing her finances, including hiring a financial adviser and starting a pension at a young age. The podcast episode features host Katie Byrne and guest Lauren Whelan.
- ‘I built a tiny house for €30k to escape the rat race – now I can live on €50 a week, easy’
Paul Lawford built a tiny house for €30,000 to escape the Dublin rat race, enabling him to live on €50 per week. He now runs Small Change, promoting a sustainable and affordable housing alternative.
- ‘I made €247,000 in tennis... so not a lot': Conor Niland on the true cost of competitive sport
Conor Niland, once ranked 129th in the world in tennis, shares insights into the economics of the sport and his subsequent career shift to commercial property. The episode also touches on his experiences adapting to a traditional work envi…
- Sonya Lennon: ‘I stood in a pharmacy and cried because I didn’t have €7.99 to pay for a foot exfoliator’
Sonya Lennon, a fashion icon and social entrepreneur, shares her experiences with business difficulties and the cultural discomfort around discussing finances with friends on Money Talks.
- 'When Dad left, there was no money' - Chupi Sweetman on the impact of her dad's affair with her mum's sister
Chupi Sweetman, founder of Chupi, shares how her childhood experiences shaped her perspective on wealth and highlights the importance of supporting women in business. She also touches on her early entrepreneurial drive and the complexities…
- Fionnuala Jones: “I really don't panic about things that I probably should be panicking about”
On Money Talks, Fionnuala Jones shares her insights on second-hand shopping, the volatile influencer industry, and the difficulties of entering the property market at a young age. The episode, hosted by Katie Byrne, is for informational pu…
- Colm O’Regan: “I worked as a human scarecrow for six weeks”
Writer Colm O’Regan shares details about his time as a human scarecrow and discusses unique payments in comedy and his experiences as a best-selling author with host Katie Byrne.
- Jenny Claffey: “Affording something doesn’t mean you have the money in your bank account”
Jenny Claffey, formerly of It Galz and now host of the true crime podcast Red Room, shares her experiences with entrepreneurship, podcasting revenue, online community building, and valuable financial advice.
- Rob Lipsett: ‘You can spend €20,000 on a bottle of champagne but it’s also easy to live the normal Spanish life’
Rob Lipsett shares his experiences with early employment, his commitment to YouTube, and the financial aspects of his ventures, including 'Villa Lipsett' and the influence of appearing on Love Island. The discussion touches on balancing a…
- My daughter is 22, I can’t see her buying in Ireland anytime soon: Lorraine Keane on buying a house at 20
On the first episode of Money Talks, Lorraine Keane shares her experience buying a home at age 20 and discusses her preference for spending over saving.
- Money Talks: Introduction
Money Talks is a podcast hosted by Katie Byrne, exploring listeners' relationships with money. The show features guests sharing anecdotes and advice about their finances and how money impacts their lives. New episodes are released on Wedne…