Theatre director Julie Kelleher directs Infinity by Hannah Moscovitch, at Cork Arts Theatre, from February 4th-15th
Are you a saver or a spender?
Technically, you would call me a spender, since I don’t save very much at all. That is mostly a consequence of limited resources rather than a tendency to be fláithiúil, though it’d be fair to say I enjoy spending when I can!
What was the first job for which you received money and how much were you paid?
The first job was probably babysitting. My first job where I paid tax was cleaning the prefab offices of engineers working on site at a new building in a pharmaceutical plant. I have no recollection of what I earned in either case, but it was something, which is really what counted at the time.
Do you shop around for better value?
I’m a very disloyal grocery shopper, and since I’m a single person and a pedestrian, I’m rarely doing what you would call a ‘big shop’. All of which is to say that convenience trumps value where that’s concerned, but I do shop around for value on utilities, insurance and so on.
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What has been your most extravagant purchase and how much did it cost?
Most of the things that I’ve spent lots of money on wouldn’t really be described as extravagant – like a good quality mattress, a raincoat or a pair of boots. I think it’s sensible to spend money on things that last a long time. That said, I once bought a Sonia Rykiel animal print faux fur, maybe 15 years ago, and you couldn’t call that a strictly pragmatic purchase. I got it 50 per cent off in the sales, and spent about €200. I still wear it, though!
What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money?
I bought a subscription for an online library service called Perlego last year, where, for just €12 a month, you can access a huge number of plays and books, including academic books. It’s incredible value, and it’s where I read Hannah Moscovitch’s Infinity, one of many plays I used that site to read without clogging up my already overloaded shelves.
Is there anything you regret spending money on?
A recent and expensive roof repair job that didn’t hold! I sometimes regret spending money on shoes, especially boots, because I tend to wear them out really quickly, so they don’t last. If I could wear flip-flops all year round, that would be the dream.
Do you haggle over prices?
I hate haggling. I just want to know what the price is and pay my money.
Do you invest in shares and/or cryptocurrency?
I don’t have any investments. My earnings are limited and I’m reluctant to tie up resources in the short term, even if the promise of long-term gain exists.
Do you have a retirement or pension plan?
I don’t have either. I hope to have my house paid for by the time I retire, and I will have a little bit of a State pension to draw on. I keep meaning to start paying into my own pension but the reality of working so precariously and for such a low income compared to other professionals with a similar level of education and senior leadership experience is that you’re somewhat conditioned into short-term thinking. Life in the gig economy!
What was the last thing you bought and was it good value for money?
I bought a memoir by Simone de Beauvoir and while I haven’t yet started reading it, I feel pretty certain that it will be good value for money. I’m of the view that books are almost always good value, once you can pair the right person with the right book.
Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase?
I saved a deposit to buy a house with my partner at the time. There was some financial support from my parents when the house was initially bought. It would have been close to impossible to have done it otherwise.
Have you ever lost money?
Not personally. As a young trainee producer, however, I once lost a chequebook for the production company’s account that had several signed blank cheques in it. In the end, it turned out I hadn’t really lost it at all; it was wedged down the back of a ring binder that contained all the production paperwork, back in the days of hard copy everything. It was a good lesson to learn both personally and professionally, in that it happily didn’t cost anyone anything.
Are you a gambler, and if so, have you ever had a big win?
I am not a gambler. I don’t have the temperament for it, being typically inclined towards self-doubt. I’ll happily receive the gift of a scratch card and, very occasionally, will take a notion to do the Lotto. I really enjoy the momentary thrill of imagining winnings that are just out of reach, though not enough to chase it. Then again, I’ve never experienced the hit of a big win.
What is your best habit when it comes to money? And your worst?
My best habit is that I’m not an impulsive buyer. I always take time to consider how a new thing will genuinely fit into my life before I buy it. My worst habit is probably my lack of planning and money management overall.
How much money do you have on you now?
I don’t have any cash on me, unless you count my Revolut account, which has €94.28 in it.
- In conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea
