Recent guests on What a Woman podcast have included Victoria Mary Clarke, Deirdre O’Kane, and Nina Carberry.
Are you a saver or a spender?
I used to be more of a saver, although I was never afraid to splash out on something I really wanted if I’d saved up for it. However, I’ve noticed as my three daughters are growing up, I am fast becoming more of a spender, as their generation are bigger consumers than I remember being, because of their engagement with social media, their awareness of trendy brands, and the desire to have everything now.
Do you shop around for better value?
In my former career as an investment manager, I was driven by getting the best bang for buck for our clients, and conscious of what stocks looked attractive, without compromising on the quality of the business. I’ve always loved doing research, so I’ll look at comparison sites and shop around, but sometimes this means I procrastinate.
What has been your most extravagant purchase ever, and how much did it cost?
In recent years, we’ve been through two home refurbishments and while many purchases feel extravagant at the time – such as underfloor heating, bifold doors or a good kitchen worktop – once it’s all finished, it’s those things you are so glad you invested in.
What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money?
Since moving to Kerry from London and finding myself living by the sea, I’ve caught the sea swimming bug, so I invested in a Dryrobe. With the poor summers we’ve had in Ireland over recent years, I’m getting my use out of it all year round.
Do you haggle over prices?
I used to hate haggling over anything, and I’d almost avoid looking at market stalls, or any situation where I would need to haggle. Since having children, however, now that I need to buy three of everything I’m not afraid to try and get the best price.
How did the Covid-19 crisis change your spending habits, and was there something in particular that you either stopped buying or started buying, as a result?
I stopped buying so many clothes, especially office wear because I didn’t need it. One thing I started buying that I hadn’t before is hair dye. I’d always loved going to the hairdresser, but the pandemic coincided with the first signs of grey hair, so it was a necessity!
Do you invest in shares?
With my experience in wealth management, I have always seen the benefits of investing in shares for long-term growth. I use my knowledge of the best fund managers out there; they have the expertise to pick the best shares, and I invest with them.
Do you have a retirement or pension plan?
Yes, I’ve always contributed to a pension, since I started working over 20 years ago, and with my finance background, I have been able to actively manage this and take a long-term view on higher growth areas, like emerging markets. This has worked really well over the years.
What was the last thing you bought, and was it good value for money?
Probably our recent family holiday to the south of France. We tailor-made it ourselves, rather than going with a package, which saved a lot of money and gave us freedom to do what we wanted. Going just before peak season, and flying to an airport an hour further away, for half the price, all helped, and we hired a car, which meant we could shop off-site for food, which was cheaper. We saw more of the quaint old towns and vineyards in Provence – the highlight of the trip.
Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase?
We saved up for our first family home for many years, so we were able to stretch ourselves to a bigger house, with the potential for it to be our forever home. I soon realised there is no such thing as a forever home, though, as we found ourselves moving to Ireland, with my husband’s job. But this gave us the leverage to be able to find a lovely family home in Kerry.
Have you ever lost money?
When I worked as an investment manager, there were inevitably times when you would lose money, especially during big market shocks, like the 2008 financial crisis or the pandemic, which was very stressful.
Are you a gambler and, if so, have you ever had a big win?
As someone who used to look after client capital, the idea of speculating or gambling with money never sat comfortably with me. I’ve never even had the desire to play the lottery, because I think winning a huge amount of money would bring more problems than happiness.
Is money important to you?
Other than wanting to provide a comfortable life for my family, I am not interested in money, nor am I very materialistic. I relate more to the sense of personal accomplishment than money.
How much money do you have on you now?
I have about €8 in coins. All my daughters’ sports clubs need a few euro each week, and I never used to have it on me, which was a real pain. Now I try to be prepared.
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