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As this year comes to a close, we want to thank our staff and also our valued clients for their continued trust as we continue to help secure their financial future. We know you will also join us in welcoming aboard Brian Comiskey BA QFA. Brian brings to the team an additional eighteen years industry experience, including but not limited to, brokerage, accountancy and business development. You can check out more on Brian on our TEAM page here on the website.
🎄As we look forward to the Christmas break, we’re also mindful that this time of year can feel lonely for some.
✨If you can, take a moment to check in on a neighbour, friend or colleague over the festive period who might appreciate a call, a message or a cup of coffee. The smallest gesture can make the biggest difference.
📞This year, Assured Financial Solutions is pleased to highlight and encourage support for community initiatives such as “Loneliness at Christmas”, where volunteers, including some of our own staff, offer online companionship to those who may be on their own over the festive period.
In this issue:
🎄 Christmas Spending in Ireland 2025 – Keeping the Magic, Mindful of the Cost Tips for preserving the magic without the January financial hangover!
❤️ We Insure Everything, but Ourselves Article highlighting why now is the time to ensure your loved ones are financially protected with the right life cover.
Wishing you and your family and loved ones a peaceful Christmas and a prosperous New Year from everyone at Assured Financial Solutions Ltd.
🎄 Christmas Spending in Ireland 2025 – Keeping the Magic, Mindful of the Cost
For many of us, Christmas in Ireland is wrapped up with familiar magic – seeing the festive lights in town, attending the Christmas markets and staying up late for the Late Late Toy Show. Meeting friends for a quick drink that turns into a long night is all part of the fun. But behind the sparkle, plenty of households are feeling the pressure of higher costs and no lowering of expectations.
Recent surveys suggest the “average Irish Christmas” now comes in at well over €1,000, with research for the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) putting expected spending at around €1,177 in 2024 – up about 14% on the previous year. Three in five people said they would dip into savings to fund Christmas, and one in five expected to borrow, on average about €600.
Other research has found that a large majority of Irish shoppers expect Christmas to feel more expensive, with many planning to rein in spending compared with previous years.
So if you’re looking forward to Christmas but worrying about the bill, you’re very much not alone.
Keeping the magic – but without the January hangover
The goal isn’t to cancel Christmas. It’s to protect what really matters about it – time, connection, a sense of celebration – without starting the new year with a knot in your stomach when the bank statement arrives.
A few small decisions now can make a big difference later.
1. Start with a “whole Christmas” number 🎄
Instead of thinking in terms of individual presents or nights out, start with one overall figure you’re comfortable spending across everything:
• gifts
• food and drink
• nights out, taxis and outfits
• travel and days out
• charity donations
Be honest with yourself: what can you afford without needing expensive credit or taking months to recover?
Once you have that total, you can roughly divide it up. If you’re sharing finances with a partner, agreeing the number together can remove a lot of tension.
2. Decide your non‑negotiables 💛
Every family has its own “magic” ingredients – it might be Christmas Eve pyjamas, helping out at a local charity event, or everyone under one roof for dinner.
Pick a small number of non‑negotiables and give yourself permission to spend on those first. Then look for areas where you can dial things down a notch:
• suggesting Secret Santa instead of buying for everyone
• setting a sensible price cap for gifts
• swapping one expensive night out for a walk, hot chocolate or a brunch in January
Focusing on a few meaningful traditions often feels better than trying to do everything.
3. Try to “pay as you go” where possible 💳
The CCPC’s research shows that many people borrow for Christmas and can still be repaying it well into the following year.
If you do need to borrow, it’s worth shopping around for the most suitable form of credit for your own circumstances and having a clear plan for repayment. But if you can:
• prioritise using regular income and existing savings
• avoid letting the balance build up on high‑interest credit cards
• keep track of what’s already spent, not just what’s left on the card limit
Even a rough note on your phone of what’s been spent so far can help you stay anchored.
4. Watch the “little extras” 🧾
The big‑ticket items are obvious – the turkey, the main presents, the big night out – but it’s often the small, repeated costs that quietly tip people over their limit:
• extra trips to the supermarket
• impulse online orders
• last‑minute “stocking fillers”
• multiple rounds at the bar
Some consumer campaigns in Ireland talk about building a simple Christmas budget and cutting back slightly on everyday treats in December (for example, fewer takeaway coffees or takeaways) to ease the pressure.
The idea isn’t to remove every bit of fun – just to be conscious about what really adds to your Christmas, and what doesn’t.
5. Plan for January you đź“…
One way to “keep the magic” is to make sure your January self isn’t paying the price for your December self.
Simple steps could include:
• keeping enough aside for essential bills that hit in early January
• lining up any known annual expenses (e.g. insurance renewals)
• if you can, starting a small standing order now towards next Christmas
Even a modest monthly amount saved through the year can take some of the sting out of December.
6. Remember: connection doesn’t have to be expensive 🤝
For many people, what they really remember about Christmas isn’t what was under the tree, but who was around it.
With that in mind, one of the most valuable things we can do this Christmas is often the least expensive: check in on others. A phone call to a relative, a message to a friend you haven’t seen in a while, or a cup of tea with a neighbour who might be on their own can mean far more than an expensive gift.
If you’re feeling the strain yourself – financially or emotionally – it’s also okay to be honest, set boundaries and suggest lower‑cost ways to spend time together.
Christmas in Ireland is still full of magic, but the reality of higher living costs means many households are looking at it through a more cautious lens. The good news is that keeping the season special doesn’t have to mean spending more every year.
By:
• setting a realistic overall budget,
• choosing the traditions that matter most,
• keeping an eye on borrowing, and
• remembering that simple connection often matters more than perfect presents,
you can protect both the spirit of Christmas and your peace of mind in the new year.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. If you are considering making significant financial decisions, you should speak to a qualified adviser who can take your individual circumstances into account.
Why We Insure Everything But Ourselves
“One in every two people put the issue of family protection on the long finger”
(Irish Times 2018)
Let’s take a moment to look at a curious but troubling truth. Most of us wouldn’t dream of driving an uninsured car. We wouldn’t sleep easy without home insurance. And when it comes to our mortgages? Covered, of course — it’s required. No hesitation. No second-guessing. But when it comes to insuring ourselves—our lives, our most valuable asset—we pause, hesitate, and question the cost.
Why?
Maybe it’s because life cover isn’t mandatory. But if you have people who depend on you — a partner, children, anyone relying on your income — then your life is not just valuable. It’s essential.
So, stop for a second. Breathe. And ask yourself
What would happen to the people I love if I weren’t here tomorrow
If the honest answer makes you uneasy, you’re not alone. And that’s precisely why this conversation matters. We get it — Life Assurance can feel overwhelming. Here are some of the most common questions people have (and maybe you’ve had them too):
How much cover do I need? What if I have loans or debts — should that be factored in? What’s the right kind of policy for my stage in life? How much will it cost? Should I also cover my spouse?
The good news? These are all answerable questions. And there are people — good advisors — who exist just to help you through them. And here’s something else worth knowing: Life Assurance often isn’t as expensive as people fear. Many are surprised by how affordable it can be, especially compared to the peace of mind it brings. Still on the fence? You’re not alone. Some common reasons people delay:
“It’s optional, so I’ll deal with it later.” (Later often becomes never.)
“It’s probably too expensive.” (In most cases, it’s not.)
“I’ve got Mortgage Protection. Isn’t that enough?” (Not necessarily — that protects the lender, not your family.)
Here’s the truth: Life Assurance is one of the most loving, responsible things you can do. Not for yourself — but for the people who count on you. So if you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry. Start by talking to someone who knows. A good advisor will help you:
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Understand what type of cover suits your life.
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Figure out how much you need.
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Find a policy that offers real value.
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And review it over time as your life changes.
Take the step. Ask the questions. Start the conversation with your financial adviser. Because peace of mind isn’t just about protecting your things — it’s about protecting people.
https://www.irishtimes.com/sponsored/irish-life/life-assurance-families-are-at-risk-in-under-covered-ireland-1.3429566?utm
As always, we’re just a call away if you need sound financial advice or a friendly check-in.
With warm regards,
The Team at Assured Financial Solutions Ltd.