Are you a saver or a spender?
I'm an unintentional saver right now, only because my schedule is so busy, but I love nothing more than a good old spending spree.
Do you shop around for better value?
Not if I feel I'm paying a fair price and getting good quality. If I like something, I'm very decisive. Because I travel so frequently now, I'm quality-focused – be that in clothing or in food or in accommodation. A good example is Aer Lingus: I know them, I trust them, so I always use them.
What has been your most extravagant purchase and how much did it cost?
Believe it or not, I'm not at all an extravagant type of guy who spends thousands on a piece of clothing. My downfall, though, is shoes. At this stage, I don't actually know how many pairs I have, but I recently had to get a carpenter in to extend my wardrobe! I make a conscious point of investing in nice holidays with family and friends.
What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money?
It's a toss up between a hard-shell Samonsite case and a pair of Stemar brown suede shoes. The suitcase was pricey but already in only a couple of months it has travelled half the globe and comes with a 10-year guarantee.
What ways do you prefer to shop – online or local?
I'm a very tactile person, so when it comes to clothing it's vital that I'm able to touch, feel, examine and try on a garment before I decide to buy. When I can, I always try to buy Irish, especially in fashion terms. When it comes to flights, hotels, music, books, gadgets, and so on, I shop online.
Do you haggle over prices?
If I think it's merited, I've absolutely no problem. I was in a jade market in Hong Kong not so long ago and the Chinese are notoriously good bargainers but I managed to leave with a few good deals. My mother and sister were both happy with the resulting gifts!
Has the recession changed your spending habits?
I got my first part-time job at the age of 13, so I've always appreciated the value of money.
If any good has come from the recession it is the number of cool eateries that have sprung up all over Dublin. Also, in fashion and media, a real entrepreneurial “can-do” buzz is alive and well today in Ireland and in London.
Do you invest in shares?
I was one of Google Ireland's earliest employees so I could have started down the shareholder path but it wasn't something that excited or interested me.
Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase?
Yes – my car. I was determined to save enough to avoid taking out a loan. It was a lot of money to hand over but I avoided any direct debits and interest payments.
Have you ever lost money?
I thought I had taken a serious bruising with my apartment, but I'm lucky that home is in a great location, so it seems to have bounced right back fairly rapidly. Phew!
How much money do you have on you now?
Let me check – €5, £40 and $35. The joys of living out of a suitcase!
The 2nd Darren Kennedy for Louis Copeland DK + LC collection is available in Louis Copeland stores , LouisCopeland.com
