Individual ally, now and then, brings about things which might be important to one (8,7)

I believe the answer is:

personal effects

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'things which might be important to one' is the definition.
'personal effects' can be an answer for 'things' (I've seen this in another clue). I'm unsure of the rest of the definition.

'individual ally now and then brings about' is the wordplay.
'individual' becomes 'person' (an individual person).
'now and then' means one should take alternating letters (letters taken on a regular basis, now and then).
'brings about' becomes 'effects' ('effect' can be a synonym of 'bring about').
The alternating letters of 'ally' are 'al'.
'person'+'al'+'effects'='PERSONAL EFFECTS'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for personal effects that I've seen is " Property".)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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