Are you a saver or a spender? I enjoy both equally, but fortunately over the years I've managed to be a better saver than a spender – just about!
Do you shop around for better value? Not really. I'm conscious of supporting independent business from grocers, butchers, hardware shops, etc. They are the backbone of the economy. I also enjoy the craic you can still have in your local stores. Anyway, being single, my weekly shopping is not that big a deal.
What has been your most extravagant purchase and how much did it cost? A second-hand five-year-old Jaguar XKR, for €40,000, which I still have and enjoy each day with it as much as the first day I drove it.
What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money? My home. It's a small cottage-style house five miles from Tullamore. It's cosy and full of character (a bit like myself!).
I’ve been living in the country for 10 years now and I absolutely love it, especially the great neighbours I have.
How do you prefer to shop – online or local? Local – always. I love interacting with people. You can't beat the personal touch.
I can’t be bothered trawling through websites when you can just go into a store and buy there and then. It’s also more convenient if you have a problem later. I guess I’m just old-fashioned!
Do you haggle over prices? Yes. There's a little bit of the 'cattle dealer' in me.
Has the recession changed your spending habits? As I have been in business long before the Celtic Tiger years, my spending habits never really changed, thank God. I always tended to be a bit more on the cautious side.
Do you invest in shares? Oh! The nightmares are coming back now – Eircom, Élan…
Cash or card? Again, I'm old-fashioned, so cash is king. I have just one credit card.
What was the last thing you bought and was it good value for money? A digital camera, and I'm still trying to come to terms with how to operate it successfully. Why does everything now have to have a 300-page instruction manual?
Have your ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase? Yes. A car…once!
Have you ever lost money? Aghhh! Eircom and Élan – and, like everyone, the death of the Celtic Tiger hurt really badly.
Are you a gambler and if so, have you ever had a big win? No. Gambling just doesn't do it for me. I visited Las Vegas once and spent more on beer than gambling. Maybe that's a poor reflection on my drinking habits! (Only joking.)
Is money important to you? Not really. Friends, health and especially my faith are way more important. Mind you, I always like that saying, "money isn't everything, but it makes being miserable much more enjoyable!"
How much money do you have on you now? €75! Thank God it's payday.
