Are you a saver or a spender?
In the past, I would have considered myself as quite an accomplished saver. Thankfully, my wife, four kids, two large dogs and a cat cured me of that affliction.
Do you shop around for better value?
I always will look around for better value, but draw the line where value for money impinges too much on the quality of the item or service to be purchased.
What has been your most extravagant purchase and how much did it cost?
Extravagance is not my thing – but I like planes, so I took a business-class flight aboard an A380 to Florida that cost €4,500 for the six-hour flight.
What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money?
My tool kit. I can pretty much do anything around the house and fix small things with the cars, which helps take my mind away from work.
How do you prefer to shop – online or local?
Old school – local. Even though my background is in ICT and my company is in maritime satellite communications, I am still suspicious of the quality of some offerings available in the online marketplace. Plus, I like to support local business wherever possible.
Do you haggle over prices?
I always like to haggle. Unfortunately, I am now banned from several fast-food franchises as a result. However, from a buyer and seller perspective nowadays, I think this is a dying art form, which is a shame.
Has the recession changed your spending habits?
No, my spending habits have remained the same – very family-focused, as you can see from the first question! I didn’t get too caught up in the boom, so when the bust came, it wasn’t as big a crash landing in terms of income as it had been for others, for which I am very thankful.
Do you invest in shares?
No, for the same reason I didn’t invest in property during the boom. I simply didn’t know enough about the downside (there’s always one).
Cash or card?
That’s a difficult one. I would usually prefer cash, but I can’t seem to keep it in my wallet for long. That said, I do like the convenience of card.
What was the last thing you bought and was it good value for money?
I bought four pairs of jeans yesterday and got great value from the shop after a little haggling. I live in Wicklow and you have to love the small-town family-owned shops as they are the last bastions of the haggle.
Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase?
The size of the purchase is relative to income. By the time I was 21, I promised myself, I would own a MK 2 Golf GTI. It was £3,500 (punts), and I was only earning £76 per week. But the day before my 21st birthday, I drove it off the garage forecourt.
Have you ever lost money?
I think everybody loses money – in business, in life, in the pub – but once you find more than you lose life is good.
Are you a gambler and, if so, have you ever had a big win?
In the traditional sense of the word, no. I wouldn’t be one for going into the local bookies or casino, but in work, yes, I would take calculated risks. And, yep, I have won big once or twice.
Is money important to you?
Of course it is. It pays the bills. But I don’t obsess about it. I can get as much of a buzz from doing a two-bob deal as a 10k one.
How much money do you have on you now?
Ten euro – and only because I applied the “finders keepers” rule in the house this morning.
In conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea
