Actor Stephen Brennan appears in Eureka Day, the Gate Theatre, Dublin, until Saturday, March 7th.
Are you a saver or a spender?
A saver? What’s that? Oh yes, I remember, it’s someone who has more money than they need and can squirrel it away for future embellishments. It’s a fine aspiration, but one I’ve never really had, as life is always waiting in the wings to spoil my fun.
What was the first job you received money for, and how much were you paid?
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Mindful of the slogan “It pays to advertise!”, my first employment, centuries ago, was in an advertising agency for which I was paid the grand sum of £5 a week, and out of which they took a social welfare contribution. It’s hardly surprising that when my first acting job was offered, I jumped.
Do you shop around for better value?
I tend to buy what I am attracted to. Unfortunately, that often turns out to be the most expensive item in the shop. I never came to terms with the maxim “Look after the pennies, the pounds will take care of themselves”. As for saving on groceries, that doesn’t seem possible any more.
What has been your most extravagant purchase, and how much did it cost?
My house, and it cost... a lot. Is that extravagant? You always seem to have to overreach a little in order to get what you really want. It’s an expression of faith in the future, I suppose. Sadly, I decided to overreach in 2008!
What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money?
Back in the last century, I bought a 3 Series Beemer from my brother-in-law for a grand. I saw it through to classic car status, at which point the drive chain broke, and we had to say goodbye. But it was a good buy.
Is there anything you regret spending money on?
Yes, lottery tickets. My old friend Eamon Morrissey used to reflect with sage-like wisdom on the amount of money he must have saved by not buying lottery tickets.
Do you haggle over prices?
I like the well-scripted format of considered pricing. Haggling, however, requires improvisational skills, which were never my strong suit.
Do you invest in shares and/or cryptocurrency?
I have often fantasised about consulting the morning papers over breakfast to see how much my stocks made me overnight without having to lift a finger. But, as with the lottery, I have found that I must work for anything I get from this life.
Do you have a retirement or pension plan?
Not having put one in place for myself, I would recommend a retirement or pension plan to anyone. The State pension helps but, unfortunately, I’ve left its necessary supplementation to fate. Not a prudent plan.
What was the last thing you bought, and was it good value for money?
I recently bought a Caterpillar Rocker for my grandson, Jem, and he’s knocking great craic out of it. Rock on Jemser!
Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase?
As you may have gathered by now, I have never really successfully saved for anything much, apart, perhaps, from my children’s education. I think I must have been as láthair the day they were teaching that one.
Have you ever lost money?
The parents of a friend of mine brought a horse to Ascot one year. It had travelled well, had a good run out that morning, and was considered a good each-way bet. I had 200 punts each way. The horse came 5th, and the fates are still laughing.
Are you a gambler, and if so, have you ever had a big win?
The Ascot experience cured me, but I like the occasional punt for fun. I was once in a play called The Burial at Thebes, by Seamus Heaney. There was a character called Creon, and, lo and behold, in the bookies one day a fellow actor pointed out a horse called Creon, which surely was worth a small punt. Against my better judgment, I had a fiver each way. He came in at 50/1. I had the last laugh that day.
What is your best habit when it comes to money? And your worst?
My best habit with money is prioritising bills and making sure they always get paid. My worst habit is not anticipating hidden costs, of which there are many, always.
How much money do you have on you now?
I haven’t had money on me for several years, and my apologies to the people in need on the streets of Dublin, of whom there are many. We should really all carry a little bit of cash just for the people less fortunate than ourselves.
In conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea
