Engage People has been recognised of as Ireland’s best accounting & finance recruitment agency in Dublin Chamber of Commerce’s Employment and Recruitment Federation awards.
Are you a saver or a spender?
I was very good at saving when I was a teenager and in my early twenties. Nowadays, I have a system for putting money away every month, but if there’s money sitting there waiting to be spent, I tend to find a home for it pretty quickly!
What was the first job you received money for, and how much were you paid?
My first job was in a Spar shop in the mid-1990s, where I earned £2 an hour. I saved up enough to fly to London to buy a Super Nintendo, which hadn’t yet launched in Ireland. I was very proud to have paid for both the flight and the console.
Do you shop around for better value?
Personally, what I tend to spend money on is clothes, mainly for work, social life, and sports gear. I’m quite loyal to a couple of men’s stores I shop in regularly. As a cyclist, I also stick to the same store for gear because they offer great deals online. Once you know the right size and brand, you tend to stick with it. I don’t shop around much.
What has been your most extravagant purchase, and how much did it cost?
My most extravagant purchase was our wedding. Or rather, weddings. We got married in Ireland initially, and then we had a second celebration in Italy. The Italian wedding was delayed a couple of years because of the pandemic and was held in Castello Monacci in the south of Italy. It was a fabulous event with family and friends, incredibly memorable. I couldn’t put an exact figure on it, but it was definitely five figures, not six.
What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money?
Beyond an engagement ring, I’d say my bike. I cycled 8,000km in 2024, which I’m proud of. I use my bike primarily to commute, a 50km round trip most days, so it gets plenty of use. From that perspective, it’s been an excellent return on investment.
Is there anything you regret spending money on?
I bought a house with a good pal in December 2006. Our timing was not good! Firstly, we paid a higher rate of stamp duty (the rate was reduced afterwards), and then the housing market crashed a year later.
I have a small bitcoin investment. The volatility in the sector is astounding
Do you haggle over prices?
I think there’s a time and place for haggling. In business, if I know there’s a discussion to be had that benefits both parties long term, I’m happy to negotiate. On a day-to-day level, though, such as buying a hat on holiday, I wouldn’t get too into it as it’s not something I derive huge satisfaction from.
Do you invest in shares and/or cryptocurrency?
I think the traditional approach of investing in shares that generate steady revenue over decades is smart. I have a growing but not huge share portfolio. I also have a small bitcoin investment. I started investing $10 a month, and it’s grown significantly since then. The volatility in the sector is astounding.
Do you have a retirement or pension plan?
I’ve had a pension since my 20s.
What was the last thing you bought, and would you consider it good value for money?
I recently upgraded my tux at the start of November last year because I had a few black-tie events ahead. Buying a tux wasn’t much more expensive than renting one, so I definitely consider it a good investment.
Have you ever lost money?
I’ve lost jackets and other items, but I can’t recall ever losing money.
Are you a gambler? If so, have you ever had a big win?
I have the odd dabble. A few years ago, we had a sizeable win in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. I came home and told my wife about the winnings and, since we had just bought a new house, I went straight to Woodie’s to buy a new lawnmower. Three years on, I still thank that win for our lawnmower!
What is your best habit when it comes to money? And your worst?
My best is to pay myself first. I set up savings and investment direct debits on pay-day. My worst habit is that I have purchased some hilariously bad products on impulse on Instagram, in particular – the most recent being a BBQ accessory that caught fire on its cooking debut!
How much cash do you have on you now?
I generally try to carry a €50 and a €20 note, but I’m always on the lookout for fivers for tips, which I never seem to have!
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