Frequently asked questions.
Straight answers about how we work - our independence, how our fees are set, what it costs to start, and what to expect from your first conversation. If your question isn't here, just ask.
How we work, and how we're paid
Are you really independent, and do you sell financial products?
We're an independent, fee-based financial planning firm - our advice isn't tied to any bank, insurer or product provider. We start with your plan, not a product. Where a product does turn out to be the right way to put a plan into action - a pension, an investment, protection cover - we can arrange it, but the plan always comes first and the recommendation is based on what suits you, not on what pays us most.
How do your fees work?
You pay a clear, agreed fee for the planning work - the thinking, the analysis and the advice. That planning fee is separate from any product. If you decide to put a product in place through us, any commission it carries is disclosed to you in plain figures and taken into account, so you always know exactly what you're paying and why. No hidden costs, no surprises.
What does it cost to work with Eolas Money, and how do I start?
It depends on how much help you want. Eolas Essentials is €395 once-off, paid after the work is delivered - a visual timeline of your finances and clear next steps with Leah, and a good starting point if you want to take control of your money without an ongoing commitment. From there, options range up to fully managed, ongoing planning across every area of your finances. The best way to start is a free discovery call: we listen first, then tell you which option fits. There's no charge and no obligation to go further.
Whether planning is right for you
Do I even need a financial planner?
Plenty of people manage grand on their own - but a planner earns their keep when the decisions get bigger or more tangled: a mortgage move, a redundancy, pensions scattered across old jobs, an inheritance, or simply wanting one clear plan instead of a drawer full of policies. A good planner gives you a joined-up picture, spots the gaps, and helps you make confident decisions in plain English. If you're not sure it's worth it, the free discovery call is a no-pressure way to find out.
Do I need a lot of money to work with a financial planner?
No. Financial planning is about making the most of what you have and building good growth potential over time - not about how much you start with. Our Essentials plan is designed for people getting their first proper salary or savings into shape, and many of our clients come to us long before they think they're "ready". Wherever you're starting from, there's a way to work with us.
What is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional?
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER, or CFP, is the leading international standard for financial planners. Holding the mark means a planner has met strict requirements for education, examination, experience and ethics, and commits to putting your interests first and giving advice across your whole financial life - not just one product. Both of our senior Financial Planners, Brendan Reilly and Jim Stapleton, are CFP professionals.
What's the difference between a financial planner and a financial advisor?
A financial advisor often focuses on a single product or transaction - a policy, a fund, a mortgage. A financial planner steps back and looks at your whole picture first: your goals, your income, your pensions, your protection and your tax, then builds a plan and only recommends products where they genuinely help. At Eolas Money we're planners first. Real planners, in plain English - not a call centre and not a sales desk.
The first conversation, and where we work
What happens on the discovery call?
It's a free, relaxed conversation - usually 20 to 30 minutes - where we listen to what's on your mind and what you'd like to sort out. There's no prep needed and no paperwork. By the end, you'll have a clear sense of how we could help and which way of working with us fits best. If the timing isn't right, that's grand too - there's no obligation to go any further.
Is the first conversation really free?
Yes. The discovery call is completely free and there's no obligation. We only agree a fee once you've decided you'd like to work with us and you know exactly what it covers.
Where are you based, and do you work with people outside Tipperary?
Our office is in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, and we work with clients right across Ireland. You're welcome to meet us in person in Clonmel, or we can do everything by phone and video - whichever suits you. Distance is no barrier to working together.
Are you regulated?
Yes. Eolas Money is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. We were co-founded in 2009 by Brendan Reilly and Jim Stapleton, both CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professionals, and we've been helping individuals, families and business owners across Ireland ever since.
