ME AND MY MONEY:Julie Feeney, singer/songwriter/composer
Are you a saver or a spender?Everything I earn goes into paying for composing, making albums or putting together shows.
Do you shop around for better value?I don't like to spend more time than needed. I know people who would waste a full day going back somewhere to get a better bargain. To me that's utterly counterproductive.
What has been your most extravagant purchase ever and how much did it cost?I spent €25,000 on making three music videos for my album Pages. One is not yet finished, so that will cost more when it's completed.
What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money?My live vocal microphone, which was very expensive. I love it and, because I know how it sounds, we save on sound-check time. For me it's the best value ever, because quality and time in relation to my work are essential.
Do you haggle over prices?It's great fun to haggle in places where it's the norm, and I love all the 'pretend sulking'. Once I haggled over a fancy sun hat at a market.
Has the recession changed your spending habits?A career in music is always going to be ferociously difficult moneywise, recession or not. As a full-time musician with no private or state funding, I'm used to that, so my habits are exactly the same as before. And the tax exemption for artists only relates to royalties, so everything else (eg, performances) is taxed. Not many people know that.
Cash or card?I do everything by card and online as much as possible because I manage my own label, Mittens. I find it really easy to document everything that way for when I'm doing my accounts at the end of each term.
What was the last thing you bought and was it good value for money?I bought the services of five amazing musicians last week. Even though they're expensive, they're definitely worth it.
Have you ever lost money?Once I lost my wallet with €50 in it. I put up a sign in my local shop to say that I had lost it and I got it back with the €50 in there. I bought the person a box of Roses.
Is money important to you?No. Definitely not. I just want to be able to maintain a life that can facilitate the composition and performance of music.
How much money do you have on you now?€42.
Pages
is available in shops and via juliefeeney.com. Julie Feeney performs at Clifden Arts Festival, September 21
