Three retired teachers reflect on the simple financial habits that supported them throughout their careers and share practical, reassuring advice for younger teachers starting out today.
When you’re starting your career in teaching, retirement can feel a lifetime away. Payslips are closely watched, increments are exciting, and the idea of ‘financial wellness’ often takes a back seat.
There’s also often a perception that unless you’re saving large amounts, you’re not really making progress.
However, for three retired teachers, now looking back on long and fulfilling careers, financial well-being wasn’t built through big, dramatic decisions. Instead, it was built quietly, steadily and often without much fuss at all.
Ruairi Mac Donail, Noelline Connell and Audrey Johnston are all long-time members of Comhar Linn INTO Credit Union. While their careers took them to different parts of the country, their advice for younger teachers is remarkably similar: start early, keep it simple and don’t underestimate the power of small, regular habits.
MAKE SAVING AUTOMATIC AND FORGET ABOUT IT
All three lauded the benefits of saving “at source”. Regular deductions taken directly from salary meant savings happened before there was any temptation to spend.
“It was saving without even knowing you were saving,” says Audrey. “Because it was done before the money hit my account, I just learned to live on what was left.”
For Ruairi, who began teaching in the late 1980s, this habit became the foundation of his entire financial life. “It was the first sensible thing I ever did,” he laughs. “Money was taken at source, so I never had to think about it. Even now, with my pension, it still goes straight into the Credit Union.”
Over time, those steady contributions built a safety net, one that made borrowing for cars, home improvements or education far less stressful.
THINK MEDIUM-TERM, NOT JUST LONG-TERM
While pensions are important, all three admit that in the early years of teaching, retirement planning wasn’t always front of mind. They too focused on achievable, medium-term goals: a reliable car, an extension or college fees.
“Every car I ever owned came from a Credit Union loan,” says Ruairi. “You owned the car from day one. There were no hidden costs or surprises, and you always knew exactly where you stood.”
That same approach applied to home improvements. Rather than extending mortgages over decades, manageable loans allowed work to be done in stages, without creating long-term financial pressure.
For younger teachers, this kind of thinking promotes balance, supporting planning for the future while still allowing life to happen along the way.
USE YOUR INCREMENTS WISELY
Be smart and make the most of early-career increments.
“In the beginning, increments come every year,” Ruairi explains. “That’s the easiest time to put a bit extra into savings and still budget comfortably. As the years go on, those increments become fewer, so it makes sense to use them well early on.”
This is a simple shift in mindset that can quietly strengthen financial well-being.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP
Confidence – or lack of it – plays a huge role in how people manage money. Noelline believes this is where Comhar Linn really stands apart.
“People can be terrified walking into a bank,” she says. “But with Comhar Linn, it’s smaller, more personal. You can ask questions, and you will get help.”
She also points out that feeling respected and listened to makes a real difference, especially for younger members navigating finances for the first time.
THINK BEYOND YOURSELF
All three retirees also spoke about the importance of family involvement. Opening accounts for children, encouraging partners to save, and normalising good financial habits helped build confidence across generations.
“I encouraged my children and my partner to join as well,” says Audrey. “Saving as a family, in a place you trust, makes such a difference, and it truly helped us over the years.”
A QUIET PATH TO FINANCIAL CONFIDENCE
Ruairi, Noelline, and Audrey all agree: financial peace came not from big risks or high earnings, but from small, steady habits – automatic savings at source, sensible Credit Union loans, and smart use of early increments.
For today’s younger teachers, their advice is simple and encouraging: start early, keep it automatic, and let consistency work its magic. Join Comhar Linn INTO Credit Union, set up regular deductions, and watch small steps build a strong future.
Visit comharlinnintocu.ie for more information
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