How has your upbringing shaped your financial views?
My parents were both employed, and during the 1980s, they had to be quite frugal. They often reminisce about their 20s when affording a night out was a challenge due to financial constraints.
As I grew older, our family began to enjoy some holidays, like camping trips to France. We had a nice car and a comfortable home, but nothing extravagant.
What’s your greatest financial regret?
After graduating from college, I landed a well-paying job in the financial services sector. I spent seven years as a financial advisor, with my first two years coinciding with the Celtic Tiger era.
During that time, money seemed abundant, and at just 21, I made the decision to splurge on a car, taking out a loan that cost me a fortune.
When the recession hit, I found myself only a year and a half into a five-year car loan. The weight of that financial burden felt suffocating.
Salaries were cut, and to afford my car, I had to significantly alter my lifestyle.
What was your most significant extravagance?
That same car! I kept it for ten years while I rebuilt my finances.
Post-lockdown, my business at Love HQ thrived as people rushed to find partners.
I juggled long days and travel, meeting clients for consultations across Dublin, Galway, Cork, Limerick, Mullingar, and Naas, and I may have treated myself to a luxurious BMW.
What was your best investment?
One of my wisest decisions was to focus on eliminating my debt. After the recession, I vowed never to be in debt again – today, I owe nothing.
What is your most valuable financial advice?
As a podcast host of Tough Love and a professional matchmaker, I’ve observed that too many women opt to leave their careers after having children.
My best advice, particularly for women, is to maintain financial independence, even if it means working part-time or just a couple of days a week. The decision many women make to step back from their careers can be detrimental.
Embracing motherhood should not mean relinquishing your professional aspirations, especially when considering a partnership that includes shared responsibilities.
Choosing your life partner is the most crucial financial decision you’ll make—this will determine where you live, your income, your work hours, and family size.
Stay debt-free and live within your means. If you can’t cover your living expenses, vacations should be off the table, and new cars should only be purchased if you can afford them outright.
What was your worst job experience?
My experience as a financial advisor for physicians during the recession was particularly tough. Many doctors faced severe financial strain because of over-borrowing.
At a young age, I would often sit across from seasoned professionals reduced to tears over their dire financial situations; the stress was immense.
