Camille O’Sullivan: ‘I’m terrified of being out of money’

Singer and actor Camille O’Sullivan performs at Knocknarea Arena, Sligo, on Saturday, October 25th, with Sharon Shannon, Steve Earle, Mundy and Liam Ó Maonlaí as part of Sligo Live Festival www.sligolive.ie

Are you a saver or a spender?

I have a bit of a split/dual personality when shopping. I love to save on sales and will then go for weeks without spending anything. Then, when I have to pay an electricity bill, I’m triggered to blow my money on gifting myself something special for a similar price to the bill! Well, that’s my excuse ...

What was the first job you received money for, and how much were you paid?

I did waitressing in Cork in a cafe off Paul Street. I think I was 14 or 15, and I was so excited to earn my own money, which was around IR£3 an hour. It was a plus with the great soundtrack of Mary Coughlan and JJ Cale on repeat.

Do you shop around for better value?

My very stylish French mum never spent too much on clothes, but looked great. I‘m not a fan of wearing brands and I also used to love going to vintage and second-hand shops, but they are now too expensive for me.

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What has been your most extravagant purchase and how much did it cost?

I think I must have lost the plot, but the most I ever spent was £1,250 on a sparkly Vivienne Westwood corset dress. I had adored it from afar for years, but it was worn on stage whilst singing with Shane MacGowan and the Pogues at London’s 02 venue, so I think that might have been part of the reason for my mad decision.

What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money?

I love my Scooby Doo, Daphne, and Bert & Ernie socks. They were £7 for the two pairs and I get great joy from wearing them. People usually smile when they see them, and when I take my shoes off at airport security, they always get a good laugh and compliments from the gang working there.

Is there anything you regret spending money on?

Plenty, especially purchases during Covid when wine might have been consumed. What else did I buy? From a neon yellow skirt that looks like tinfoil – a bad idea! – to a rack in my cupboard with clothes that don’t fit or suit me. They will either be given away or sewn into something else.

Do you haggle over prices?

I would run away. I’m terrified of haggling. My dad was good at it, though. He said that in his day, you could haggle in shops like Dunnes, Penneys and M&S. I’d love to have hidden behind the rails seeing him try to do it!

Do you invest in shares and/or cryptocurrency?

I just don’t really understand it. I’m basic enough when it comes to understanding finances, but I did join a mum’s creche group and put in €600; they were wonderful and I got €1,200 back. I couldn’t understand exactly why, but I was delighted at the outcome.

Do you have a retirement or pension plan?

Sadly, no. I think I might live in a fantasy world as a musician/performer.

What was the last thing you bought, and was it good value for money?

I bought a lovely brown pleated skirt from M&S, which I saw someone wearing on TV. I just loved it. Usually, I leave it for several days to see if I still have the urge to buy things, but there were only two left online, so I nabbed it. I think it’s great value. A lovely girl came up to me when I was doing food shopping and said she loved the skirt. It made my day. I love Irish women when they compliment each other; it’s so nice.

Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase?

No, other than saving €5,500 for my vintage Volvo car. I just love classic cars. I remember my first savings after college went on a beautiful oak table, which was €500. I felt a slight anxiety after the purchase, as if I was suddenly married to a piece of furniture!

Have you ever lost money?

I once lost my wallet, which had a few hundred dollars in it, at New York’s JFK airport. It was found and returned to me without the money!

Are you a gambler and, if so, have you ever had a big win?

I didn’t think I was a gambler, but in music, you have to spend money in a risky way, continually, to keep your career going. By investing in yourself, you can sometimes lose a lot of money, which happened at the start of my career. But now that I’ve learned how to make it back, touch wood, the risk has been worth it. The bank balance can occasionally be shockingly low, but after a few tours, you find a way to bring it back to normal.

What is your best habit when it comes to money?

I’m terrified of being out of money. I’m a bit of a squirrel, so I make sure to always keep some aside for myself and also, since she was little, for my daughter. I feel I’m good at sorting payments for the band musicians and sorting out good prices for flights and accommodation. My worst habit is that I’m awful at chasing people to get paid.