Broadcaster Ronan Collins tours his new show Showbands Hits and Stories nationwide from November to the beginning of December
Are you a saver or a spender?
I’m a saver now but I wasn’t for years. My outgoings always seemed to exceed my income but when we finished paying our mortgage, things changed.
Do you shop around for better value?
Yes, I do, particularly for frequently purchased items. I drive a diesel car and I will always ferret out the best price available. There can be a difference of nearly 15 cent a litre, and when you fill up twice a week sometimes, it can be quite a saving.
What has been your most extravagant purchase and how much did it cost?
About 25 years ago, I paid £240 for a pair of shoes. My mother always said, “If your feet don’t feel right, the rest of you will suffer.” I still have those shoes, by the way.
What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money?
I have a leaf blower that I use all year round in the garden. It’s my favourite garden tool and I continue to get great value from it.
I remember the famous Eircom shares debacle when so many people invested but ignored the small print. Shares are too volatile for me
How did you prefer to shop during the Covid-19 restrictions – online or local?
Because I travelled to RTÉ every day during Covid, I was able to shop locally, but I did do a lot of online shopping. My collection of Skechers shoes was added to very frequently.
Do you haggle over prices?
Not really, but if I think there’s a deal to be had or a reduction available, I’ll search it out. Wouldn’t it be great if you could haggle with Ryanair? Particularly when you get a good deal outward but the return is an arm and a leg.
How did the Covid-19 crisis change your spending habits?
Covid didn’t really change my spending habits and when the pandemic was over, I pretty much gave up online shopping.
Do you invest in shares?
Definitely not. I remember the famous Eircom shares debacle when so many people invested but ignored the small print. Shares are too volatile for me.
Do you have a retirement or pension plan?
Yes, I do, and what I get from it will be determined by how long I live. In other words, it isn’t going to last very much longer.
[ Speedy action by medics saved Ronan Collins from permanent paralysisOpens in new window ]
What was the last thing you bought and was it good value for money?
I just bought two suits and all the trimmings from Louis Copeland in Capel Street. One for myself and one for my future son-in-law, Ger. I told him that “a Louis suit is a suit for life” and to enjoy wearing it frequently.
Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase?
No, I always had car loans and a mortgage but I was able to pay for household items and luxury goods without taking out loans.
Have you ever lost money?
I’m sure I have, but I don’t remember. It obviously wasn’t any considerable amount. When I was a kid, I lost a half-crown coin down a shore and couldn’t retrieve it. I was devastated. Two shillings and sixpence – I’m still devastated!
Are you a gambler and, if so, have you ever had a big win?
I don’t gamble. My wife, Woody, loves slot machines and in Las Vegas and Monte Carlo she spent a fortune on the slots and came away with nothing. I, on the other hand, came away with a few quid more than I put in the machines because I stopped after spending about €10. I took the winnings, which amounted to about €11.
Is money important to you?
Of course it is, but the real advantage of money is that having it gives you options.
How much money do you have on you now?
At this moment, I have €26.30. Just about enough for a nice lunch for two in Portugal or lunch for one in a pub in Dublin, but that’s a different story altogether.
In conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea
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