Kel Galavan
money coach
About
I wasn't always in control of my money. Far from it! I spent years caught in the cycle of debt, financial stress, and many sleepless nights that left little time for what mattered most—my family.
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My journey is one that way too many people in the country can relate to: bad money decisions, economic downturns, the pressure to keep up with the neighbours, and the realisation that I was always working hard but had zero quality of life. But through resilience, strategy, and a complete mindset shift, things slowly but surely turned around, debt crushed, investing steadily and consistently, and financial security achieved. Now, I help others do the same.
From Financial Struggles to Financial Freedom
"I was exhausted, stuck in the paycheck cycle, and drowning in debt. I knew something had to change."
​A Story Too Many Will Recognise
"I bought a house I couldn’t afford because I thought it was what I was supposed to do."
At 25, I did what too many young people did in the mid-2000s—I jumped onto the property ladder.
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I bought an unbuilt house with a 90% mortgage, worth over seven times my income.
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I borrowed the deposit from a credit union and lived entirely off my credit card to furnish it.
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The 2008 recession hit, leaving my home in a ghost estate, its value plummeting overnight.
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Then came the next blow—we were suddenly down to my 1 modest income. Now we had rent, a mortgage, and two young kids to support. To ease the burden, we rented out the house—only for the tenants to gut the property and disappear, leaving behind debt collectors’ letters and devastation.
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"We were financially drained. But the real wake-up call wasn’t the money—it was missing my children’s lives."
For years, I worked long hours, commuting all the time, all while managing an overwhelming 6 figure of debt financial burden for a house we could not live in.
But two moments shattered the illusion that it was all worth it:
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A teacher at school pickup didn’t recognise me—because I was never there.
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My daughter was thrilled to see me on a Sunday morning—because it was so rare.
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Then, one day in traffic, I heard a podcast that changed everything:
“You only get a limited number of week with your kids before they grow up.”
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I had spent years trying to keep up. But was it worth it?
The Turning Point: Walking Away & Rebuilding Life on My Terms
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"I quit my job, took control of our money, and created a plan for financial security."
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I made a radical decision: I left my 16-year career to focus on my family and finances.
I embarked on “The No-Spend Year”, a challenge to slash expenses, rethink priorities, and stretch every euro further.
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No takeaways.
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No new clothes.
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No unnecessary spending.
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Every euro had a purpose.
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The result? Not just financial survival, but financial transformation.
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6-figure of debt to 7-figure networth
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Through intentional money management and smart investing, I built a secure financial future while creating the time freedom I had always wanted.
From Financial Chaos to Financial Freedom
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"I broke free from the paycheck cycle. Now I help others do the same."
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What started as a personal journey became a mission. Now, I teach others how to:
✅ Master their money—without feeling deprived.
✅ Break free from financial stress—and take control of their future.
✅ Invest with confidence—so their money grows, not just sits in savings.
✅ Create real financial security—so they can live on their own terms.
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Since then, I’ve written Mindful Money, a bestselling book on practical money management, and created the Flagship Become a Confident Investor Course, tailored specifically for you, dear Irish reader. I also coach 1:1; you have this one amazing life; don't let money hold you back.
It's time to stop watching your hard-earned money slip through your fingers, crush your personal finances and learn to invest so that they can break that glass money ceiling and get you money as hard for you as you do for it.
Mrs Smart Money is a company dedicated to helping people gain financial freedom through strong money habits and investing.
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My message is simple:
You don’t have to be trapped in the paycheck cycle. You don’t have to struggle with money forever. You can take control—and I’m here to show you how.
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Are you ready to break free from financial stress and build real security? Let’s get started.​​
Kel
XOXO
The Credentials:
MSc, QFA
Author: Mindful Money More Money More Freedom More Happiness
Creator of: Rise Money 1:1 Coaching & Rise Money Become a Confident Investor
Founder: Mrs Smart Money Ltd
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