Are you a saver or a spender?
Both. I am a technology fan, so I would generally have my eye on a new gadget in advance of its launch. I am also conscious of putting a little away on a monthly basis for that rainy day.
Do you shop around for better value?
Absolutely. I would say I do 80 per cent of my shopping online. I am constantly browsing for the best deals. However, I am very conscious to only spend my money on websites I trust and websites that deliver quickly. I find online shopping cost effective, efficient and it helps me maintain my budget.
What has been your most extravagant purchase and how much did it cost?
I bought an electric golf buggy about 18 months ago. It cost €599.95. For years I carried my golf bag around with me when playing, but I am not getting any younger!
What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money?
I recently took up cycling and I bought a new bike using the cycle to work scheme. The benefit for me was that I was able to cycle to work during the summer months, which helped me keep fit, save on travel costs and avail of the significant saving in the upfront cost of the bike.
How do you prefer to shop – online or local?
I am very much an online retailer’s dream; I spend probably an hour a day minimum browsing various online websites. That said, I always try to shop locally when I can, and I take pride in buying my vegetables from a local veg store. Most recently, I have got back into the habit of buying bread from a local bakery at weekends.
Do you haggle over prices?
As the majority of my purchases are online, I tend to purchase the product at the listed price. I am comfortable that in most cases there is no need to haggle, as I have conducted research in advance of the purchase.
Has the recession changed your spending habits?
I think it has changed everyone’s spending habits, mine included. We all now expect our euro to stretch a little bit further. I find myself researching purchases more than ever, and only justifying a spend when I feel that I really need the product or service, as opposed to it just being nice to have right now.
Do you invest in shares?
I currently have a small investment portfolio; it is mainly electrical manufacturer shares that I have purchased. This allows me to keep an eye on the industry internationally, which enables me to view industry trends that will eventually flow into our market locally. I am no Gordon Gekko, though!
Cash or card?
Card, no substitute.
What was the last thing you bought and was it good value for money?
I just topped up my Leap card this morning. I get the Dart every day and I consider it a great mode of transport – the Leap card makes life that little bit easier.
Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase?
In 2015, I bought a used car. My tight budget meant that I was shopping for a 2009 or 2010 model of the car I wanted. Because of the recession, car sales for saloon cars in the years that I was looking for were really hard to come by, because manufacturers had sold significantly fewer cars in the 2007 to 2014 period. This meant that I had to save a little more than I expected and buy a car a year older than I had originally budgeted for.
Have you ever lost money?
You have to have money in order to have the ability to lose it.
Are you a gambler and if so have you ever had a big win?
It is fair to say I have the odd flutter, but generally only when I am at a match or watching an important game on TV. My stakes are low so my wins are generally low, too. The one that stands out in my mind was back in 2007. My now wife and I were in Australia living and working for a year. We went to Flemington Races on Melbourne Cup Day and, sharing bets and funds, managed to back the winner of the Melbourne Cup. That topped off a great day!
Is money important to you?
Not in the slightest. Life is far too short as far as I am concerned, and focusing on wealth accumulation will distract you from actually living. I would say I am conscious of the funds I have available; however, I am realistic that having more or less in my pocket won’t change me from being me.
How much money do you have on you now?
€15 in cash – although I rarely carry cash.
In conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea
