The 6 Essential Money Moves to Achieve Financial Freedom in Ireland (…#5 gets overlooked too often)

?? Proper financial planning is the key that unlocks peace of mind about your money. When you check all the right boxes, you can live life with confidence knowing your basics are covered and your future is secure.

But where should you even start? There's so much to sort out - budgets, investments, taxes, insurance and more. It can feel overwhelming if you don't have a clear roadmap.

As a financial advisor, I've helped hundreds of Irish families get their money fundamentals squared away. There are 6 core areas that EVERYONE should focus on:

1?? Emergency Fund - Having 3-6 months' worth of living expenses saved gives you a cash buffer for unexpected costs like medical bills, home repairs or losing your job. It prevents you from going into debt over a setback.

2?? Protection Policies - No financial plan is complete without the right insurance. At a minimum, you need life insurance (in case you pass away), Income Protection (in case you can't work), and Serious illness cover (in case you get seriously ill).

3?? Medium-Term Savings - In addition to emergencies, you need to save for other medium-term goals like your kids' college funds, new car purchases, or that dream Holiday. Goal-based investing makes it easy.

4?? Retirement Planning - Starting a pension plan early is crucial to retire comfortably. The sooner you start, the more you can contribute smaller amounts monthly. Avoid running out of money in old age.

5?? Estate Planning - An often overlooked area, but preparing your will, trust and beneficiaries now makes passing on your wealth tax-efficiently easy for your family later.

6?? A Qualified Advisor - Navigating all these areas alone can be confusing and costly if you make mistakes. A QFA can analyse your situation and create a personalised plan tailored to your goals.

Once you check off these 6 boxes systematically, you'll gain complete clarity over your money. No more worries about budgeting or feeling unprotected from potential risks. Just total confidence that you're set for life!

It's why I always recommend starting with these fundamentals before getting into more complex investing strategies,

Prioritise building a strong financial foundation first - the rest will follow.