Question 1

Do you actually meet clients in Greystones, or is it Dublin only?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we meet locally. That can be in your home in Greystones, Delgany, Kilcoole or Charlesland, a coffee near the harbour, or over a video call. Most clients in the area prefer a mix: a face-to-face first meeting, then video calls for ongoing reviews. We travel right across north Wicklow.

Question 2

I have RSUs or share options from a tech employer — can you help me plan around them?

Accepted Answer

Yes — this is one of the most common situations we work through for Greystones professionals. We help you decide when to exercise or sell, manage concentration risk in your employer's stock, plan around the tax timing (income tax on vest, CGT on disposal), and integrate the proceeds into your overall pension, investment, and protection plan. Done well, equity comp can accelerate retirement by years. Done badly, it can leave you over-concentrated and over-taxed.

Question 3

Why use a local advisor rather than a Dublin firm or my bank?

Accepted Answer

Two reasons. First, independence — we are not tied to one provider, so we compare the whole market on protection, investments, and pensions. A bank can only sell you its own products. Second, accessibility — when you have a question, you reach the person who built your plan, not a call centre. For a higher-complexity situation like executive pay, that direct line matters.

Question 4

How much does financial advice cost?

Accepted Answer

Your initial 45-minute consultation is free with no obligation. For protection products, advisors are typically paid by the insurer, not the client. For investments and pensions, fees are transparent and explained up front before you commit to anything. We will only proceed if you ask us to — and for higher-asset situations the fee structure is always negotiated and disclosed in writing in advance.

Question 5

I have a mortgage in Greystones or Delgany — can you help with mortgage protection?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Mortgage protection is required for most Irish mortgages, but the policy your lender offers is rarely the best price — and for higher-value Greystones-area mortgages the savings from switching can be significant. Send us your existing quote and we will match or beat it, and make sure the cover is structured correctly for your situation.

Question 6

I have multiple pensions from previous jobs — should I consolidate them?

Accepted Answer

Often yes, but not always. Some old defined-benefit or with-profits pensions have guarantees that are valuable to retain. Others are sitting in expensive, under-performing default funds that are silently costing you tens of thousands by retirement. We will audit each one — fee structures, fund performance, transfer values, guarantees — and recommend a clear consolidation strategy. There is no charge for the audit itself; it is part of the free first consultation.

Question 7

Are you regulated?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Empowered Money is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Shane O'Toole is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) — the highest globally recognised standard in financial planning — with nearly twenty years of experience.

Question 8

What if I just want a second opinion on what I already have?

Accepted Answer

That is one of the most common reasons people come to us. Many people in the Greystones area have pensions, investments, or protection policies set up years ago that have not been reviewed since. We can audit what you have, flag anything underperforming or overpriced, and tell you straight if it is fine as is. A second-opinion review usually surfaces at least one meaningful improvement — often more than that.

Question 9

Do you also cover Delgany, Kilcoole, Newtownmountkennedy and Charlesland?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we serve clients across the entire Greystones cluster, including Delgany, Kilcoole, Newtownmountkennedy, Charlesland, Burnaby, and Redford. For Bray and Wicklow town we have dedicated pages too.

Question 10

What is the difference between a financial advisor, a broker, and a financial planner?

Accepted Answer

All three are regulated roles, but they differ in scope. A broker typically sells specific products — protection policies, mortgages, or pensions — and is paid commission by the provider. A financial advisor adds personal advice on top of products. A Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) takes a wider, longer-term view: cashflow, tax efficiency, retirement target, equity compensation, estate planning, and investment strategy together as one integrated plan. Shane holds the CFP® mark, the global gold-standard qualification.

Question 11

How often will we meet after the initial consultation?

Accepted Answer

Most clients have an annual review meeting — usually a 60-minute video call — where we revisit your plan, check progress against goals, and adjust for any life or tax changes. For clients with significant equity comp or active investment portfolios we often add a mid-year check-in. If something significant happens between reviews (a vest, a job change, a house move, an inheritance) you can reach Shane directly. Ongoing reviews are part of the fee structure agreed up front, so there are no surprise costs.

Financial advice for Greystones and the north Wicklow coast

An advisor who actually knows the area

We meet where it suits you

Built for complex, executive-pay situations

Independent, not tied to one provider

What we help Greystones clients with

Protect what matters

Grow your wealth

Retire with confidence

Meet Shane O'Toole, CFP®

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How the free consultation works

Greystones and Delgany — common questions

Still have questions?

We also work with clients across Wicklow and Dublin

Bray & north Wicklow

Wicklow town & south Wicklow

Greater Dublin & beyond

Book your free Greystones consultation