Your future, your story: a confident guide to investing in Ireland
Amber Gleeson, Investment Specialist, Aviva Investors
Every woman has important goals, like buying a home, saving for a child’s education, building financial independence, or planning for retirement. Imagine holding the keys to your first home sooner than you ever expected, feeling relief as your child’s education fund grows, or retiring with the freedom to write your next chapter. No matter what you want to achieve, you deserve clear information, confidence, and a plan that works for your life.
Here’s something to think about:
You might already be an investor and not realise it.
You could already be investing without even knowing it
If you contribute to a pension, long-term savings plan or investment fund, your money is already working in the markets. That makes you an investor, no trading apps, screens or jargon necessary. When women invest, studies show they exhibit behaviours that support long-term success. Women stay invested for longer, trade less frequently (avoiding unnecessary trading costs), and invest with purpose. Interest and engagement among women are also rising, with many taking first steps and seeking practical guidance.
What is investing?
Investing means using your money to buy assets that have the potential to grow in value over time. Instead of keeping everything in a bank account (where interest may be very low), you place a proportion of your money in diversified funds ,that can rise in value over the long term. In Ireland, a striking 90% of deposits sit in instant access accounts earning around 1%¹ or less. Deposit accounts are essential for short term needs, but not appropriate for long-term goals.
You don’t need to pick individual shares or watch the markets every day. Most people invest through funds managed by professionals, often inside pensions or long-term savings plans. This means the experts make the day-to-day decisions, and your money has a chance to grow while you get on with your life.
Saving or investing? It depends on your timeline
You can think of your money in two parts:
- Short-term savings (0–5 years): Emergency fund, bills, holidays, that Louis Vouton handbag you’ve always wanted, near-term expenses keep this accessible in cash. Ireland’s low deposit rates make cash ideal for liquidity, not growth.
- Long-term goals (5+ years): House deposit, children’s education, retirement, financial independence, consider investing so your money can compound over time.
This simple way of dividing your money helps you feel ready for today and for the future.
Why investing helps with big life goals
- House deposit: Investing can help your savings grow so you can keep up with rising property prices.
- Children’s education: By investing regularly, you can build up money over time to help with future education costs.
- Retirement & independence: Pensions are long-term investments by design, and evidence shows women’s steady approach maps well to long-term success.
What women do well when investing
- Purpose-led planning: Clear goals (home, family, freedom) support discipline.
- Calm, steady approach: Women tend to trade less, which helps avoid costs and knee-jerk moves.
- Wanting to learn: Confidence grows quickly when you get clear, simple information.
These are strengths that can help anyone become a better investor.
How a broker can help you feel confident and build your plan
A good broker is there to guide you, not to make things complicated. They can:
- Explain options in plain language and avoid jargon
- Align investments to your goals, timeframes and comfort level
- Build diversification into your plan
- Keep you on track through life changes and market noise
- Review regularly so your plan stays fit for purpose
Many women say they would feel more confident investing with help from a professional. Confidence is what helps you take action.
How to get started: five easy steps
- Name your goals: house deposit, education, independence, retirement.
- Split your money: keep cash for short-term needs and invest for long-term goals.
- Start with a small amount and add to it regularly. Being consistent helps your money grow.
- Use diversified funds: let professionals manage the underlying assets.
- Talk to a broker to turn your good intentions into a clear plan you can follow.
Why Irish savings rates matter now
Ireland’s savers are diligent, but most instant-access deposit accounts earn little to no interest, with reports showing circa 90% of balances in overnight deposits at roughly 0–1%¹. Cash is vital for liquidity, but long-term goals deserve long-term growth, and that’s what investing is built for.
You deserve confidence, your goals deserve growth
You don’t have to change who you are to be a good investor. All you need is clear information, a simple plan, and support you can trust.
Your financial story is still being written. Investing is one way to help you reach the future you want.