‘One of my long-term goals would be to invest in art, which is something you can take pleasure in while you have it’ – The Irish Times

Fallon Moore is a tourism-related event manager and project coordinator based in the Dingle Peninsula. fallonmoore.ie

Are you a saver or a spender?

A little of both, neither in the extreme.

Do you shop around for better value?

I do, but I try to be very conscious of spending well. It is not necessarily buying the cheapest but the best for what I need. Not necessarily buying lots and lots but buying well.

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

I’m not a big spender on clothes, tech or anything like that — food is my thing. The most extravagant might be a meal out in Florence. Years ago, we stumbled across a small restaurant down a little side street in Florence and had the most delicious Florentine steak. We talked about it at least once a week for about a year after we had tasted it, so for a birthday gift to my now husband, I booked us a trip to go back for that steak. The whole trip was not hugely expensive or luxurious but it was at a time when we could least afford it so it felt extravagant. Years later, I can’t remember how much it cost but it’s probably one of our most cherished memories.

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

Our home. It was by far our biggest-ever financial commitment. There have been times that it has probably been worth more or less than what we paid for it, but I think once you have the home you need and where you want to be, then that’s the true value of something.

What ways did you prefer to shop during the Covid-19 restrictions — online or local?

Both! Locally, we have some fantastic shops here in Dingle.

Do you haggle over prices?

No, but for personal spending I do research and if I feel something is being overcharged or not in line with the value I have on it, then I will simply go elsewhere.

How did the Covid-19 crisis change your spending habits, and was there something in particular that you either stopped buying or started buying, as a result?

I started online shopping for food more. One of the long-term benefits was that so many food producers moved their sales online. It opened up a fantastic channel to buy from smaller producers all over the island, and that’s something I continue to do.

Do you invest in shares?

No, I have never had the spare funds or the inclination to invest in shares. One of my long-term goals would be to invest in art, which is something you can take pleasure in while you have it.

Cash or card?

Card. I have switched over to just using my cards on my phone, mostly because it’s very handy, but every once in a while it catches you out and you are scrambling for the nearest ATM. Usually on a school morning.

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

Aside from the day-to-day usuals, the last big purchase was a holiday with my sister, and it was absolutely value for money. Time is the one thing we cannot make more of, so to spend that wisely with the people you love is, for me, the best value you can get.

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

Yes, we saved to do work on our kitchen a few years ago, and it was honestly the best feeling. We worked hard to get the money set aside and that took time, so it gave us plenty of opportunity to think about what we wanted. Cooking for 12 years in a kitchen with a layout that wasn’t working for you will do that.

Have you ever lost money?

The only time I feel I have lost money is when I’ve bought something that didn’t deliver or offer any value, especially if it was food. My dad always says, “Good food is not expensive, bad food is”.

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

No, I’m not a gambler at all. I had one bet and one win at the Galway Races years ago and I took that win and quit there and then. We do enough gambling with the weather in a west Kerry summer.

Is money important to you?

Money isn’t per se, but the freedoms it affords me are very important. We have been through times when money was very tight, and I appreciate every time we can book a trip or a meal out with family or friends. I don’t take any of the freedoms for granted.

How much money do you have on you now?

Very little. Probably just enough for a cup of coffee.