ME MY MONEY:Tom Dunne, Newstalk 106 radio presenter

1. Saver or spender?

I am foolish with money in the traditional Irish male way. Throw it around when I have it and stay home when I don’t. Sadly, when faced with decisions about what wine to choose with a meal the words “we’ll be a long time dead!” flash through my mind and I immediately order a better bottle.

2. Do you shop around for better value?

Only with large purchases. I’m intrigued about price variations. How can a coffee plunger cost €32 in one shop and €58 in another – a recent experience. However, when I slip into a “long time dead” mode I become a salesman’s dream.

3. What has been your most extravagant purchase ever and how much did it cost?

Secrets I will take to the grave. My biggest purchases have been the most important ones in my life and are those to do with home and family. They remain priceless. I bought a really expensive shirt once – D-SQUARED2 – but I wore it at so many important events – gigs, TV appearances, etc – I think it gave me better value than almost anything else I ever bought. It was €300.

4. What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money?

Would have to be The Sex Pistols album. In my life there was “before the Pistols” and “after the Pistols”. It changed my life.

5. Have you ever crossed the Border to shop?

No. But I’m not trying to feed a family of four on €300 a week. If I was, I would.

6. Do you haggle over prices?

I’ll refer to answer one: I am foolish with money. I not only can’t haggle, I blush when others try to. I become uncomfortable watching programmes about people who are good at it.

7. Has the recession changed your spending habits?

Completely. All bets are off. I have a big mortgage, there is uncertainty about rates, uncertainty about employment in Ireland and I have two children under three-and-a-half. We’re not in Kansas anymore, are we?

8. Do you invest in shares?

Thankfully no, the last thing that appealed were Eircom and the banks. See how lucky I am!

9. Cash or card?

Whatever is convenient. Easier to keep track of cash though.

10. How much money do you have on you now?

About €70. Which will last either a week or an hour depending when the next “we’ll be a long time dead” attack happens.