ME & MY MONEY: Tommy Fleming, Singer
Are you a saver or a spender?Unfortunately, I'm a spender. I like to buy things far too often. I probably should be a lot more thrifty but, if I like it then I buy it.
Do you shop around for better value?Yes. If it's clothes or electrical stuff then I wait for the sales. My only problem is I can be impatient, and if I think I need it now, I buy it now.
What has been your most extravagant purchase ever and how much did it cost?
A holiday to Australia for my wife Tina and I. We went for four weeks and travelled first class. It probably cost about €15,000.
What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money?My Range Rover. I consider it my office and I love it. As I'm on the road so much, it's probably a necessity as well as a luxury.
Have you ever crossed the Border to shop?Not deliberately. I work in the North quite regularly, and shop when I'm there. I prefer to shop local, though, and keep business local.
Do you haggle over prices?Not unless I'm in a foreign country. Like in a market when I end up buying things that I neither want nor need. It's usually done for a bit of fun.
Has the recession changed your spending habits?Yes. However, I never got caught up in the Celtic Tiger years. I never went mad spending on property. I only invested in my recordings.
Do you invest in shares?No, luckily I have no interest in them, even if someone gives me a dead-cert. It could be dangerous if I got an interest in shares – it would be all or nothing and knowing my luck I would lose it all.
Cash or card?Card, it's the only way I can keep track of what I spend. When I'm touring around the world it's much easier and convenient.
What was the last thing you bought and was it good value for money?My Apple Mac laptop and my iPod – I couldn't live without them.
Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase?When I started managing my own affairs with my wife Tina, we had great success in the first year, and I purchased my first jeep and a car for Tina. The pleasure of being in a position to buy something so big from my own earnings gave me a huge sense of achievement. For years I worked very hard for little or no reward, which led me to take control of my own career and business affairs.
Have you ever lost money?Yes, far too many times to mention. I once arrived in Australia and was given a huge sum of cash by the promoter to cover my expenses. On my first night in Sydney I left my wallet - including the cash - in a taxi.
Is money important to you?It's important to pay the bills otherwise it doesn't interest or drive me. It's always a pleasure when rewards for projects I believe in work out. Financial rewards are another sign of achievement.
How much money do you have on you now?Actually, I have no money at the moment, which is a bad habit - especially when you want a McDonalds and they don't accept cards!
In conversation with TONY CLAYTON-LEA. See tommyfleming.com
