ME MY MONEY:Neil Delamere, comedian
Are you a saver or a spender?A little of both. I'm in a fairly fickle industry so I'm told saving is the pragmatic thing to do. On the other hand, my friend always encourages me to spend, saying "sure we could be dead tomorrow". He's currently bankrupt.
Do you shop around for better value?Definitely, who doesn't these days?
What has been your most extravagant purchase ever?A half-decent car. Then again, it wasn't that extravagant considering the touring I do. I will admit some of the extras weren't strictly necessary. Cruise contol is nice but I could live without turbo boost.
What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money?A 1998 Toyota Corolla. It never broke down. It never gave me any trouble and the seats went far enough back to make a man's mind wander.
Have you ever crossed the Border to shop?No. It's not that practical for me. I always enjoyed Brian Lenihan saying it was our patriotic duty to shop in this country. Other people have fought wars for patriotism, I only have to visit Arnotts.
Do you haggle over prices?I would a little bit but I don't have the knack or the neck for it. My father is the expert in our family. Enda Kenny should use him to renegotiate the terms of the bailout. We'd get the money for nothing.
Has the recession changed your spending habits?The caviar and foie gras sandwiches have stopped and I've had to let my pilot go. Some people are still living it up like it's 2006 though. In January, I saw kids making a snowman. It had avocados for eyes. That's just not right.
Do you invest in shares?Just through a pension.
Cash or card?Both.
What was the last thing you bought and was it good value for money?A €12 flight to Liverpool. We moan about the man but he's made flying damn cheap (if you go on a Tuesday at 6am in a month with an "r" in it at a full moon and you're a Capricorn).
Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase?Yep, see the Toyota Corolla reference above.
Have you ever lost money?My home has fallen back to the price it would have been in Viking times.
Are you a gambler and if so have you ever had a big win?I'd enjoy the odd bet but nothing major. I once had a few quid on a horse that some friends of mine owned. Not only did we know he had a good chance but we even liked the name. The owners loved horses and Manchester United so they called the horse Steve Capaill. God rest his soul.
Is money important to you?Well, there's no real non-incriminatory answer to that is there? I'd say it's as important to me as it is to most people. I'd be more interested in the choices it gives you with your time, than the trappings it can buy, if you know what I mean.
How much money do you have on you now?About €50.
Neil Delamere’s show,
Implement of Divilment
, is at Vicar Street, May 6th. neildelamere.com. In conversation with CONOR POPE
