Eddie Hobbs facts for kids

Eddie Hobbs (born 10 November 1962) is an Irish financial advisor, writer, and former television host and politician. He is known for helping people understand money and for his work in politics. He currently hosts an interview show called Counterpoint on platforms like YouTube.

Hobbs was one of the founders of the political party Renua and served as its president. He left the party in 2016.

Before he got into politics, many people knew him from his popular TV shows on RTÉ. These shows included Rip-Off Republic, Show Me the Money, and 30 Things to do with your SSIA. On these programs, he gave financial advice to the public.

He is also the director of a financial services company called Hobbs Financial Practice Ltd.

Financial Career

Eddie Hobbs has had a long career working with money and helping people make smart financial choices. He is often seen as a champion for consumers, making sure they get a fair deal.

Helping Homeowners and Savers

Hobbs started his career at a company called Zurich Life in 1979. In the early 1990s, he started his own financial planning company. He became well-known in 1993 when he released a report about a type of home loan called an "endowment mortgage." His report showed that these loans were not a good deal for many people. This caused sales of these loans to drop as people became more aware of the problems.

He also looked into how savings plans worked. He found that many Irish savers were losing money on their plans. Some even lost all the money they had put in.

Fighting for Fair Rules

In 1996, Hobbs complained to The Competition Authority, a group that makes sure businesses compete fairly. He argued that insurance companies had an agreement that was unfair to customers. He said it stopped companies from competing on price and hid the true costs from people.

The Authority agreed with him. This led to new laws that forced companies to be clear about their fees and charges. This was a big change that helped customers understand what they were paying for.

Standing Up for What's Right

In 1995, Hobbs was a director at a financial firm. He discovered that the head of the company, Tony Taylor, was handling clients' money improperly. Hobbs reported this to the authorities.

Taylor left Ireland, but Hobbs helped track him down. Taylor was brought back to Ireland, where he admitted to his actions and was sent to prison. Hobbs was praised by the Irish High Court in 2007 for his "efficiency and determination" in exposing the wrongdoing.

Television Career

Eddie Hobbs became a familiar face on Irish television, where he hosted shows that explained money in an easy-to-understand way.

Popular TV Shows

His 2005 show on RTÉ, Rip-Off Republic, looked at why things in Ireland seemed so expensive. The show explored high prices for land, high taxes, and companies that didn't have enough competition.

Before that, he hosted Show Me the Money. On this show, he helped different people, like farmers and hairdressers, get their finances in order. The show was very popular and won two IFTA TV awards.

He also presented a show about the Special Savings Incentive Account (SSIA), a government savings plan. He gave people ideas on what to do with their savings. He warned them not to risk their money by borrowing more to invest in expensive Irish property. He suggested that property prices in Ireland would soon fall, which they did starting in 2007.

Other TV Work

In 2007, Hobbs co-hosted a political show on TV3 called Polls Apart with journalist Matt Cooper. They interviewed Irish political leaders before the general election.

From 2010 to 2012, he was a co-presenter on RTÉ's The Consumer Show. He also hosted a history program about the Irish Civil War.

Other Work

Writing and Journalism

Hobbs has written several books about money. His first book, Short Hands Long Pockets (2004), was a fundraiser for The Jack & Jill Children's Foundation, a charity he supports. His other books, LOOT! (2006) and Debt Busters (2009), were also bestsellers. In 2022, he published a historical novel called The First Heresy.

He has also written for many newspapers and magazines, sharing his opinions on social and financial topics.

Politics

Alongside Lucinda Creighton, Hobbs was a founding member of the political party Renua

In 2015, Eddie Hobbs helped start a new political party called Renua. It was formed by politicians who had left the Fine Gael party, including its first leader, Lucinda Creighton. Hobbs served as the party's president.

He appeared on The Late Late Show to explain the new party's goals to the public. Hobbs did not run for election himself but supported the party. He resigned from Renua in June 2016 after the party did not win any seats in the general election.

Hobbs said he wanted the party to focus on ideas similar to the Liberal Democrats in the UK. He also wanted the government to measure the country's success using a Social Progress Index, which looks at citizens' well-being, not just money. This idea was later included in the Irish government's plans.

In March 2022, Hobbs said he sees himself as a "Radical centrist" in politics.

Advocating for Ireland's Resources

In 2013, Hobbs helped start a group called Own Our Oil. The group argued that Ireland's natural resources, like oil and gas, should bring more benefit to the Irish people.

During the Irish Water controversy, he argued that the Irish Constitution should be changed. He wanted to make sure that natural resources like water would always belong to the people of Ireland, not just the state. This would prevent them from being sold off in the future.

Awards and Recognition

• In 2005, he was given Honorary Patronage of the University Philosophical Society at Trinity College Dublin.
• In 2007, the Irish Government appointed him as a Director of the National Consumer Agency. He left the position in 2009.
• In 2011, he was made an honorary life member of the University College Dublin Law Society for his work helping consumers.