‘When my job went part-time during Covid, I was forced to learn how to tighten my budget’

Mary-Therese Byrne is tourism and marketing manager at Dublinia, one of Dublin’s big museums and visitor attractions focusing on the Viking and Medieval history of the city. It celebrated its 30 years anniversary in June.

Are you a spender or a saver?

I was always a spender, I used to just flitter all my pay cheque away on nights out, clothes, and so on. But as I reached my late 30s, I suddenly panicked and realised I had little to no savings, so I started. Since then, I have had some life-changing events – bought a house, had a baby, and I’m planning my wedding for next year – so I haven’t had an opportunity to go back to my spender default mode, but I know it’s still in me!

Do you shop around for better value?

Sewage crisis: why this UK election is being fought on – and in – rivers and lakes

---

Hubristic Woodford was the orchestrator of his own downfall

---

Despite what people may think, taxes in Ireland are low compared to Europe

---

China’s view of the world puts Ireland between a rock and a hard place

---

Usually, I would have been quite an impulse buyer and have been a stickler for staying with the same brand no matter what the cost. I am now learning to be more frugal and to shop around a bit more.

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

Not counting the biggies, such as children, house, and car, it would have to be the many, many dresses I have in my wardrobe – dresses that I have worn once and cost more than I should have been spending. I should think about having a car boot sale to offload some of them and make some money back!

[ ‘You can lose money and get it back again, but you’ll never get back time’ ]

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

In my late 30s, I went on a lot of long-haul destination holidays, places like Thailand, Australia, New Zealand. I did everything, spent loads, and stayed in some nice places. Those memories are special and priceless and are some of the best things I spent my money on.

How did you prefer to shop during Covid-19 restrictions, online or local?

During the majority of the highest Covid-19 restrictions, I was pregnant, so I was not fit for buying anything except bits and bobs for the baby, all of which were purchased online. I tend to still shop online for everything these days as I now have no time with a toddler who wants my full attention.

Do you haggle over prices?

No, I don’t have it in me. My sister always will, though. I always get slightly mortified when I’m with her, but also secretly impressed that she’s brave enough to do it. My partner does all the haggling and shops around for the best deals for everything from broadband to house insurance, and I just let him do it.

How has the Covid-19 crisis changed your spending habits?

Covid drastically affected the tourism industry and when my job was put down to part-time, I was forced to learn how to really tighten my budget. It has proved to be beneficial in the long run, however, as now I have to factor in mortgage, creche fees and so on, from my salary.

Do you invest in shares?

Honestly, I wouldn’t be the best person to know what to do with them or when to sell.

Cash or card?

Card, all the way. Since Covid my pedantic hygiene levels have gone off the charts when handling coins and notes.

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

The last were lots of trees and plants for our garden – they can really add up if you want to make it nice, but you can’t beat having a beautiful garden to sit in and spend time together as a family.

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

We bought our first home during the height of the pandemic. We saved hard for a year, something I was not used to doing. When Covid hit, the tourism industry was decimated. As I said, my job went part-time, which put our mortgage approval on the back burner. However, thanks to our previous hard savings and an excellent mortgage broker, we came out the other side. We were broken from the stress of it all but we had our beautiful new home.

Have you ever lost money?

No, not physically, but my debit card was once skimmed at an ATM.

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

I’m not a gambler unless winning $20 or less at the slots in Las Vegas counts.

Is money important to you?

It’s easy to say family is more important than money, and money doesn’t matter, but unfortunately it does. Everything I do now, and everything myself and my partner earn is geared towards securing a future for our daughter, when she won’t have to worry or stress about money too much in the way so many young people do nowadays.

How much money do you have on you now?

It’s nearing pay-day, so right now, not a lot. Also, I have just paid off half of the money to the wedding venue so these pockets will be empty for the foreseeable!

in conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea