Are you a saver or a spender?<\/b><\/p>\n
Some months of the year, I am a saver, but other months, like summertime and around Christmas, I end up on more of the spender side. <\/p>\n
I am good at organising my money for upcoming things such as holidays, birthdays and allocating \u20ac100 here and \u20ac100 there.<\/p>\n
What was the first job you ever received money for, and how much were you paid?<\/b><\/p>\n
I started working in a fast-food chain when I was 16. I worked Saturday and Sunday, taking on more hours during the summer and school holidays. I believe I started at \u20ac7.50 per hour, and I think I worked about six hours per shift.<\/p>\n
Do you shop around for better value?<\/b><\/p>\n
Absolutely. I am better at shopping around for services rather than goods. I monitor my electricity and phone\/wifi bill, but with year-long contracts or sometimes two-year contracts, it\u2019s not as often.<\/p>\n
I would always check car insurance and review insurance policies annually. With shopping around, I would generally review three to four places for services before purchasing, if I had the time to weigh up the cost. <\/p>\n
With goods like clothing, shoes, and so on, I find I am usually last minute, which leads me to pay the first price I see.<\/p>\n
What has been your most extravagant purchase ever, and how much did it cost?<\/b><\/p>\n
I got braces in 2018, and the cost was \u20ac3,800. The instalment payment plan didn\u2019t have any additional charges, so I didn\u2019t have to hand over a lump sum. <\/p>\n
I look back now, and I still think it was worth it. I mind my teeth and love my smile, so I can still justify the price.<\/p>\n
What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money?<\/b><\/p>\n
My car. I have a Ford Focus, and it wasn\u2019t an extravagant purchase, relatively speaking. I\u2019ve had the same car for three years and don\u2019t have the desire to upgrade. I\u2019m happy to keep the Focus going until she stops.<\/p>\n
[\u00a0All\u2019s fair in love, war and the Rose of TraleeOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n Is there anything you regret spending money on?<\/b><\/p>\n Back in 2018, I bought a particular phone brand new. I think it cost me over \u20ac800. I got caught up with having the newest model, and I think I justified it to myself because I used my phone for both personal and work use. <\/p>\n I remember paying for it online and instantly thinking, \u201cOh, I don\u2019t think I should have done that.\u201d<\/p>\n Do you haggle over prices?<\/b><\/p>\n The only time I\u2019m likely to haggle is on holidays at markets. I\u2019ve got nice deals that way in the past, and I feel less self-conscious about it because it\u2019s all good fun.<\/p>\n Do you invest in shares and\/ or cryptocurrency?<\/b><\/p>\n I don\u2019t invest in individual shares or cryptocurrency. I invest through a savings or pension plan as part of an investment fund. <\/p>\n Even with long-term planning, cryptocurrency is too volatile and hard to predict. I prefer to have a clear view of where my money is going and what my expected return will be.<\/p>\n Do you have a retirement or pension plan?<\/b><\/p>\n I started paying into a pension at the beginning of my career. I am fortunate to also have an employer contribution, which helps to increase the amount going in. <\/p>\n I think starting a pension at a younger age takes a lot of pressure off when it comes to busier stages in life. Once you get used to the initial amount you are saving, and your net balance is for everything else, it\u2019s easy to increase by small amounts.<\/p>\n