Growing up, one important lesson I learned about money was not to spend the change my mother gave me when she sent me to the shops. It taught me the value of saving even the small amounts.
The Covid-19 lockdowns had a significant impact on my financial wellbeing. As someone in the entertainment industry, we were the first to close down and the last to reopen. This took a toll on my finances, but I was fortunate enough to receive weekly PUP payments that helped me get by.
There have been instances where I’ve witnessed people spending money in a way that completely shocked me. I have a few extravagant friends who have spent hundreds of dollars on a single bottle of wine during a night out. It never fails to astonish me.
During my mid to late 20s, when I lived in a house-share in Galway and the recession was at its peak, I experienced the most financially challenging period. I remember being so broke and in excruciating pain from a toothache when a dentist told me I needed an €800 root canal. I sat in my car and cried because I couldn’t afford the treatment.
One of the most expensive places I’ve visited is Switzerland in 2015. However, I now find that many things in our country are on par with their prices. A cup of coffee and a slice of cake in Kerry can give them a run for their money.
If given the opportunity, I probably wouldn’t buy Irish property right now. There doesn’t seem to be much value in the market. However, I consider myself fortunate to already own my own house.
I carry cash less frequently now. I usually keep loose change in the compartment between the two front seats of my car. That’s about the extent of my physical cash these days. I do use digital banking through platforms like Revolut, but I still maintain a traditional bank account. Although, I admit that relying on Apple Pay has occasionally led me to forget my wallet at home.
One of my worst financial mistakes was traveling to Eastern Europe for dental work. I ended up having to redo half of it here and had no recourse or option to go back. Now, my rule is to get major dental work done locally to save money in the long run.
The worst job I ever had was working as a laborer for a plasterer for three weeks. It was physically demanding, and when the rain mixed with the lime, the pain in my hands was unbearable.
As a self-employed musician, I don’t have a pension. I often wonder if many of us in the music industry have pensions. It seems doubtful.
The last thing I bought online was a delightful condenser microphone. I have been using it for my Unlikely Likeable tour, where I perform in unconventional venues in charming locations. I’ve played in a post office, a wool and craft shop, and I have a future performance at a donkey sanctuary in July.
If I had to tighten my belt, there are three things I couldn’t do without: coffee, transportation (since I live in the countryside), and sourdough or spelt bread. These are essentials that I rely on daily.
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