Ray Shah

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

I bought a pair of Pioneer CDJ-1000 turntables on eBay when I started DJ-ing about six years ago for €2,000. At the time I thought it was a lot of money, but I knew I had to invest in equipment as I was getting a fair few gigs and I needed to practise at home whenever I had some spare time.

I’ve used them loads of times and they’re still going strong. They’ve helped me out of sticky situations when a nightclub’s own set up isn’t exactly up to scratch.

Have you ever crossed the Border to shop?

I have done on about two occasions during the boom when I went to Newry to do a day’s shopping, mainly to get alcohol and clothes. I haven’t shopped up North since the recession started as I’m a strong believer that if we’re to get out of this mess, we have to shop in the Republic and help our own businesses instead of those up North.

Do you haggle over prices?

All the time, I think you can still get a great deal out there. If I find something cheaper online, I’ll approach the shop and tell them I’d rather spend the money with them. A lot of the time, it seems to work.

An example of that was when I was buying speakers. I could buy them cheaper from Germany online. I approached a shop in Dublin and they matched the price.

Has the recession changed your spending habits?

Yes, very much so. I don’t waste my money on things I don’t need. I’ll think about it a lot before I make any big purchases. I normally do a big food shop each week and cook most of my food at home instead of snacking when out. I’ve become healthier in that sense.

Do you invest in shares?

I bought shares in a friend’s firm but it fell through because of the recession. I won’t say how much I lost but let’s just say it was a lot and Ill never invest again.

Cash or card?

I prefer to use cash especially now my bank, AIB, is charging for each transaction made with my card.

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

I bought a MacBook Air for work and messing about with. I think it was a bit overpriced, to be honest, but I’m trying to get loads of use out of it.

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

I’m not really a saver but I had to save up a fair bit to get the deposit for my apartment.

Have you ever lost money?

I’ve lost money before on nights out when I’ve had one too many drinks – €20 here or there but not a huge amount.

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

I never gamble because I never win but the only thing I might do from time to time is the Lotto.

Is money important to you?

It is important to me, not in a greedy materialistic way, but more of a I’ve-got-loads-of-bills-to-pay- or-else-I’m-in-trouble way. I’d have no problem just having enough money to live comfortably if it meant living in the Caribbean somewhere.

How much money do you have on you now?

None, because I’m chilling out by the pool on holidays at the moment.

Ray Shah presents Club Classics on 4FM and is resident DJ at Buck’s Townhouse every Friday