A financial plan isn’t just a monthly budget. It’s a roadmap to financial freedom, confidence and security.

From how to choose a financial advisor to understanding common financial terms, our financial planning blog will help you move towards your financial goals.

Please remember that this blog is not financial advice. To receive advice using Moneycube, click here to contact us.

What’s an AMRF?

An Approved Minimum Retirement Fund, or AMRF, is a pot for your pension money after you retire. Update Jan 2022: ARMFs were effectively abolished by the government from 1 January 2022. In practice, it’s very similar to an Approved Retirement Fund (ARF). If you were less than 75 years old, and don’t have a guaranteed pension … Continued

The difference starting today can make to your investments

We all feel that we should have done more to build up our savings and retirement plans. But what’s important is making a start today, not worrying about missed opportunities in the past. The reason for this is compounding – that is, when the growth in your investment is reinvested, and generates additional growth. The … Continued

60-second investments health check

Are your money plans financially fit?  Here’s Moneycube’s one-minute financial health check-up on your investments. Take the pulse of your investments This spring has seen a marked rise in volatility in the markets.  That will create winners and losers.  Do your investments fit with your true appetite for risk and reward? If you invested some … Continued

Sorting your investments when you move to Ireland from the UK

Around 19,000 people move to Ireland from the UK to live each year. If you’re one of them, here’s our guide to the big questions when it comes to sorting the investments and pensions you’ve already built up abroad. Can I hang on to my existing ISA, investments and pensions? In general, you can hold on … Continued

How to choose a financial adviser

Choosing the right financial adviser can save you a lot of time, money and hassle.  Here’s Moneycube’s 5 point guide to getting the help you need, the way you want it.  1. Who needs advice? Before you jump in, think carefully about where advice will really be valuable.  There’s no point in paying for something … Continued

Cash, shares and property: which has performed best?

Property and bank deposits are favourite investment classes for Irish people, but how do these investments compare with company shares? Moneycube has investigated the returns of each asset class since 2005. As the chart shows, investing in global stock markets at the start of 2005 would have produced by far the largest return. A notional €100,000 … Continued

Rabodirect’s closing – what are my alternatives?

So, after 13 years in Ireland, Rabodirect announced on 21 February that they are shutting the doors.  Moneycube outlines some alternatives for the hungry saver. What’s happened? Netherlands-based Rabobank will close down its Irish operation, Rabodirect, on 16 May 2018.  That gives its customers a bare 6 weeks to sort out an alternative home for … Continued

Safe guys finish last: when investing is better than saving

Wondering if you should save or invest your money?  For many people the answer is to do a bit of both. How much depends on what the money’s for, and your financial situation. Here are five occasions when investing’s probably the best approach. Before we start though, remember everyone’s situation is different – Moneycube will … Continued

Am I saving enough into my pension?

We’re always being told we should save more into our pensions, but how much is enough?  Here are three questions to ask yourself and help decide. 1. How much money will you need in retirement? Life is supposed to get cheaper in retirement.  The mortgage is paid, and the kids have flown the next. So … Continued