ME AND MY MONEY:DON MESCALL Singer, songwriter, performer
Are you a saver or a spender?Oh I'm definitely a spender, and have always been. I have a new rule, however – if I see something that I want and it's pretty expensive I go and have a cup of coffee, think about it and then go back and buy it! Then at least it's not impulsive. This makes me feel very responsible. Mind you, it really hasn't saved me money at all.
Do you shop around for better value?Not really, but since I downloaded the barcode reader App for my iPhone I have been checking out different prices on stuff for fun. I do occasionally look online and see what things cost, especially equipment for the studio.
What has been your most extravagant purchase ever and how much did it cost?I might have spent about €15,000 on a Harley Davidson Heritage Softail Classic once upon a time, and it was worth it! I love motorcycles, I own a few.
What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money?I have a small collection of late 60s, early 70s Vintage Guild acoustic guitars. The older guitars seem to hold their value well, especially Martins , Gibsons and Guilds. They are not hugely expensive in the States and I think they are still great value for money.
Have you ever crossed the Border to shop?Never, but I can understand why people do. When I lived on the south-east coast of England I would make the "booze cruise" across the Channel a few times a year. Wine, especially, was so much cheaper in France. However, I suppose in the times we are living in, if ever there was a need to shop local now is it.
Do you haggle over prices?I would haggle over an old piece of furniture if I felt there was a bit of room there for negotiation. It really depends on the situation, to be honest. Since moving home I find that the cost of living in Ireland is generally expensive, compared to the UK .
Has the recession changed your spending habits?It certainly has, in quite a few ways. I find I'm now more inclined to stay in and cook rather than eat out all the time. I also recently started looking at the price of diesel before I fill up, that wasn't something I would normally do.
Do you invest in shares?I have never invested in shares, and I'm so glad I haven't. I have seen the aftermath with so many of my friends and family who did, and lost out in the recent crash. It seems to be a pretty risky business all round.
Cash or card?Cash! Years ago my brother gave me sound advice that I've never forgotten: "If you haven't got the cash for it, you can't afford it."
What was the last thing you bought and was it good value for money?I bought a 1Tb external hardrive in Maplins for my computer. It cost just under €100, not bad value.
Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase?When I was younger, yes. I remember saving for my first proper trail motorcycle, a Suzuki 250, when I was 16. It felt like I was saving for years. I'm not a saver by nature, although it is something I would encourage my own daughter to do. I think it instills some kind of realisation that money isn't always readily available. Sometimes it can add to the fun, having to wait a little .
Have you ever lost money?Well, sort of. When my daughter Eve was three years old she decided to play a game called "Slip rather a large amount of cash through the gaps in the floorboards". Some of which we never managed to recover. Love kids!
Are you a gambler and, if so, have you ever had a big win?I don't really gamble, the occasional lotto, but alas never the big win. Gambling is not something that I would ever be interested in. I remember being in a huge casino in the States and thinking it was probably the saddest place that I had ever been.
Is money important to you?I guess not worrying about money is very important to me; it seems to always come along when I really need it. I hope that lasts. I'm very aware that in this day and age it's pretty impossible to not be in some way affected by the need for money, just to survive out there. I try to not let that rule my day-to-day living, but it's hard sometimes.
How much money do you have on you now?I have €55, £20, and no change.
Don Mescall’s new single
Long Way Down
is out now. For tour dates visit donmescall.com
