John Ellis

BY JOHN ELLIS

FINANCIAL ADVISOR

IT is springtime once again. e days are longer, the sun is shining into every nook and cranny showing up the cobwebbed corners of the house. Hence, the spring clean, the deep scrub. While you are putting some elbow grease into sprucing up your home ,why not spend some time getting your nances into tip-top shape too – here’s what you need to know

Shop around for valuable savings

It is very tempting to just leave policy and utility renewals to automatically roll on, but you may miss out on savings if you do. e current price spikes in utilities should have spurred us all on to seek better rates from other providers. ere is then the knock-on e ect to all businesses and so, when renewing your insurance policies, it is imperative to make time to shop around. You will now notice on your renewal papers that the last number of years premiums you paid are listed. is is to give an indication to you of how your premium is either rising or falling over time. Just because the premiums are reducing each year does not mean that there are no other savings to be had by shopping around.

It’s also important to spend the time ensuring that you have su cient levels of cover. For instance, with the cost to build a house rising signi cantly it’s imperative you have proper levels of cover in place should disaster strike.

Time to spring clean your financial affairs

Get to know your options for protection

As the saying goes, ‘he only certainties in life are death and taxes. We can’t predict what life has in store and when it comes to things like premature death or serious illness we usually think: “It will never happen to me.” It is important to protect our loved ones and ourselves by planning in advance.

One piece of advice – when you are completing an application for any type of cover eg. life or serious illness, be very careful how you answer the health questions. If you think something is irrelevant or no need to mention that, think again! Be as comprehensive as possible. Better to give too much information “han too little.

Options when saving for retirement.

Choosing to start a pension is an important step in your life. It’s one of the ways to secure your future and ensure the lifestyle you’ve planned for once your working life is over. And a pension is one of the smartest ways to save. ere are valuable tax incentives available on pension contributions (subject to Revenue limits). e earlier you start the better but it is never too late

Real protection starts with income

ink about how you’d cope if your income suddenly dried up due to ill health or injury? e things you care about – your family’s lifestyle, your home, your children’s education – could be in jeopardy.

You are a money-making machine! e money you earn pays for almost everything you have. You don’t think twice about insuring your home, car, or healthcare but what about your income – the one thing that pays for everything? With income protection, you take control of your nancial security thus giving you peace of mind.

By paying a monthly premium, you will receive a regular income for the complete duration of your illness until such time as you return to work or retire.

Are you claiming all tax reliefs available?

Based on research completed by Bank of Ireland only 1onein 5 vepeople have the con dence to conduct tasks relating to tax reliefs and welfare bene ts. Income protection, pensions, medical expenses are amongst the most unclaimed tax reliefs. Look over all your outgoings and see what can be reclaimed.

Finally, get advice.

Many people nd nancial decisions and nancial planning quite tricky and often put it o . Contact a nancial adviser who will give you valuable ideas about where to start.

John@ellis nancial.ie 086 8362633

Kilkenny writer Shortall brings Orphan Disease home to Kilkenny

Ailbhe Reddy plays the Medieval Mile Museum on Sunday April 10th as part of April Sounds in aid of Ukraine emergency appeals

is April 23rd a new play by Kilkenny-born Catherine Cronin comes to the Watergate eatre. e one-woman show, Orphan Disease, opened in Zurich, Switzerland last August with the company Close Encounters eatre (CET). Cronin has been living in Zurich for over twelve years but Kilkenny and Ireland remain close to her heart and her work. is is certainly evident throughout Orphan Disease.

In December 2018, Cronin was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer, and, later, the BRCA2 gene mutation. is incident forced her to re-evaluate her life and goals. She emersed herself in writing which emboldened and encouraged her to face her illness with strength and positivity.

During the pandemic, she joined an online writing course with CET and was later approached by the company’s artistic director to write a play about her experience with cancer and the impact the BRCA2 gene had on her family. e journey of Orphan Disease has been a cathartic experience for Cronin and her family. Cronin’s paternal grandmother,

Annie Dwan, passed away at a very young age from breast cancer and, likely, carried the BRCA2 gene also. Orphan Disease explores the two very di erent journeys these women had in two very di erent time periods, , all while walking the line between tragedy and comedy.

While Orphan Disease is her rst play to come to the stage, it is not the rst play Cronin wrote. Last summer, her piece, Håber Undone, was chosen to be one of three plays featured in Druid’s Debut online series. It was directed by Sarah Baxter and starred Kate Kennedy, Ian Toner, Brian Doherty, Adetomiwa Edun, Charlotte McCurry, and Peter Corboy. It told the story of scientist, Luna, and her desperate attempts to nd solutions to climate change and to her own personal issues. Cronin recalled in the show’s live post-discussion that Luna had been an invaluable companion throughout her chemotherapy treatment.

Today, Catherine continues her treatment for cancer but thanks to an excellent medical team and a life enriched by following her passion for writing, the prospects for a longer, healthier life are now much more realistic than back in 2018. is show unpacks the loss and pain of cancer but also leaves the audience with a lifea rming and hopeful message. Orphan Disease was directed by Tara Brodin with Emma Kelly working as the play’s dramaturg. Tickets are available at the Watergate.