Financial Guides for Ireland
Guides written for Ireland — its tax rules, benefits and cost benchmarks — plus the cross-border comparisons that apply wherever you live. Figures in €. Looking for another country? Browse all 110 guides.
23 articles
Ireland's Pension Auto-Enrolment, and When to Stay In
My Future Fund started in January 2026. Who is enrolled, what the 1.5% / 1.5% / 0.5% split is worth, the €80,000 cap, and when a PRSA beats it.
Read article →Help to Buy & the First Home Scheme in Ireland (2026)
Up to €30,000 back from tax you have already paid, plus shared equity of up to 30%. How Ireland two first-time buyer schemes work, what they are worth.
Read article →Renting vs Buying in Ireland (2026): The Real Numbers
Ireland is one of the few markets where a mortgage can undercut rent from day one. The 2026 comparison — Central Bank deposit rules, stamp duty, Help to Buy.
Read article →Investing in Ireland (2026): Tax on ETFs, Shares & Funds
How investment returns are taxed in Ireland — the 38% exit tax and eight-year deemed disposal on ETFs/funds, 33% CGT on shares with the €1,270 exemption.
Read article →Saving in Ireland 2026: DIRT and State Savings Explained
How savings interest is taxed in Ireland — the 33% DIRT rate, which An Post State Savings products are DIRT-free, the over-65 exemption.
Read article →The True Cost of Buying a Home: 6-Country Comparison (2026)
What it really costs to buy in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland and Switzerland — typical prices, deposit rules.
Read article →How Much a Wedding Costs: 6-Country Comparison (2026)
Average wedding costs compared across the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland and Switzerland — what drives the bill, and the levers that cut it most.
Read article →State Pension Age & Amount: 6-Country Comparison (2026)
When you can claim a public pension and how much you get in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland and Switzerland.
Read article →Graduate Salary & Student Debt: 6-Country Comparison (2026)
What graduates earn and owe in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland and Switzerland — starting salaries and how student debt works (or barely exists) in.
Read article →How Much Remote Work Saves: 6-Country Comparison (2026)
The real annual savings from working remotely in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland and Switzerland — commuting, lunches, clothing.
Read article →The True Cost of Owning a Car: 6-Country Comparison (2026)
The real 5-year cost of car ownership in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland and Switzerland — depreciation, insurance, fuel and tax.
Read article →Baby's First Year Cost: 6-Country Comparison (2026)
Year-one baby costs compared across the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland and Switzerland — birth, childcare.
Read article →The True Cost of Buying a Home in Ireland (2026)
Stamp duty, legal fees, Local Property Tax, the Central Bank deposit rules and Help to Buy — the full upfront cost, with a worked €387,000 example.
Read article →Index Funds vs. Actively Managed Funds: The 20-Year Study
Over 20 years, 90%+ of actively managed funds underperform their index. The data, the math, and what to buy instead.
Read article →The Real Cost of a Pet: Year One and Lifetime
Dogs cost $15,000–$55,000 lifetime. Cats $8,000–$25,000. The full breakdown including the veterinary expenses most new owners miss.
Read article →Life Insurance With Kids: How Much Do You Need?
10x income rule vs. DIME method vs. human life value approach — the right calculation for your specific situation.
Read article →Rent vs. Buy: The Real 5-Year Financial Analysis
The NY Times rent vs. buy calculator methodology, break-even analysis, and why "throwing money away" on rent is a myth.
Read article →How Much Emergency Fund Do You Actually Need?
The 3–6 month rule is too vague. How to calculate your exact target based on job stability, income type, and health situation.
Read article →The Real Cost of Burnout: Financial and Career Impacts
Lost productivity, job loss risk, medical costs, and the 3-year career setback most people don't quantify before it's too late.
Read article →Disability Insurance: The Cover Most People Skip
You're 3× more likely to be disabled than to die during working years. How much coverage, what type, and how to get it.
Read article →Career Change at 35: The Real Financial Cost and ROI
Income gap, retraining costs, credential costs, and the 10-year payback analysis for common career pivots.
Read article →How Much House Can You Afford? Not What the Bank Says
Banks approve you for the maximum they'll lend — often more than you should borrow. The real affordability calculation.
Read article →Debt Avalanche vs. Snowball: Which Saves More in 2026
Mathematical comparison with real numbers — and the psychology case for each method.
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