Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

Yes — we meet locally. That can be in your home, a coffee in Wicklow town, Rathnew, or Ashford, or over a video call. Most south Wicklow clients prefer a mix: a face-to-face first meeting, then video calls for ongoing reviews. We travel across Wicklow and have clients from Bray down to Arklow.

Question 2

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, and a tied agent can only sell their parent company's. Second, accessibility — when you have a question, you reach the person who built your plan, not a call centre.

Question 3

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.

Question 4

I am close to retirement — can you help me plan the next ten or twenty years?

Accepted Answer

Yes — pre-retirement and at-retirement planning is one of the most common reasons clients come to us. We will work through your expected retirement income, tax-free lump sum options, the ARF vs annuity decision, how to draw down efficiently, and how to make sure your money lasts. If you are still five-to-ten years out, there are usually meaningful steps you can take now that compound significantly by retirement.

Question 5

I run a business in Wicklow — what should I be doing about my pension?

Accepted Answer

If you are a company director or self-employed you have access to some of the most generous pension structures in Ireland — including executive pensions with significantly higher contribution limits than standard PRSAs. Many business owners in the area are either under-contributing or are paying into a basic personal pension that is leaving substantial tax relief on the table. We will model the optimal structure for your situation.

Question 6

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 7

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 Wicklow have pensions 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 thing worth fixing — even if it is only a small fee saving or a tax-relief gap.

Question 8

Do you cover Arklow, Ashford, Rathnew, and the surrounding villages?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we serve clients across south Wicklow and the surrounding area, including Arklow, Ashford, Rathnew, Avoca, Aughrim, Rathdrum, and the surrounding villages. For clients further north we have dedicated pages for Bray and the Greystones area too.

Question 9

I have inherited money or property in Wicklow — what should I do with it?

Accepted Answer

Inheritances bring both opportunity and complexity. We will work through the tax implications (CAT, exemptions, dwelling-house exemption where applicable), help you decide whether to invest, hold, or partly distribute, and integrate the inheritance into your overall plan. This is one area where independent advice tends to pay for itself many times over — and where bad first decisions can be expensive to undo.

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, estate planning, and investment strategy together as one 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. If something significant happens between reviews (a business sale, a house move, an inheritance, a health change) 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 Wicklow town and the surrounding area

An advisor who actually knows the area

We meet where it suits you

Built around real Wicklow life

Independent, not tied to one provider

What we help Wicklow 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

Wicklow — common questions

Still have questions?

We also work with clients across Wicklow and Dublin

Bray & north Wicklow

Greystones, Delgany & Kilcoole

Greater Dublin & beyond

Book your free Wicklow consultation