Are you a saver or a spender?
A bit of both. I go through periods when mainly big items interest me, but as a very obsessive dentist, most of the spending goes on dentistry. I save for luxuries – in my twenties in London, I survived on a diet of watercress for several days, saving enough money to afford my beloved Dries Van Noten scarf, which I still wear today.
Do you shop around for better value?
For big items only. I am not good on the day-to-day items.
What has been your most extravagant purchase and how much did it cost?
For my clinic, I purchased a CT scanner early in their production. At that stage they were not really mainstream in dentistry, hence a cost of €230,000. CT scanners are much cheaper now.
Personally? It was an overpriced bottle of wine on Millennium New Year's Eve.
What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money?
My Samsung HTC phone. Believe it or not, some dentistry consults can be done via phone, using templates and imagery.
What ways do you prefer to shop – online or local?
I consume most of my information online via newspapers such as
The Irish Times
and the
Guardian
, as well as books and music. For food and clothes, shopping local is my preference.
Do you haggle over prices?
Yes, mainly over large business purchases and service contracts.
Has the recession changed your spending habits?
I definitely used to eat out a lot more.
Do you invest in shares?
I inherited shares from my parents, but some of these were bank shares, so no more.
Cash or card?
Card.
What was the last thing you bought and was it good value for money?
I just bought the Peter O'Brien limited edition Workbook – amazing Irish craftsmanship. I love to be able to support Irish talent wherever possible and it's exceedingly good value for money.
Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase?
Yes, a car – a Mercedes. It has served me and the children very well for years. It's amazing how well one will look after a car after saving for it. I didn't allow a morsel of food in the car.
Have you ever lost money?
Yes, in property.
Are you a gambler and if so have you ever had a big win?
I'm not a gambler.
Is money important to you?
It's all about what money can do rather than money per se.
How much money do you have on you now?
€150 – but not for long!
www.nidm.ie
In conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea
