Poet and fashion stylist Jan Brierton has a new book of poetry out. What Day Is It is published by New Island Books.
Are you a saver or a spender?
I am a serial spender. I don’t borrow to buy, but I spend what I have.
What was the first job you received money for, and how much were you paid?
I was keen to enter the workforce and found myself babysitting from the age of 14 or so. I made a whopping £20/£25 a session. I was fed and allowed to watch TV until late, so it was a very rewarding couple of hours, and the perks were excellent.
Do you shop around for better value?
For groceries, I usually set myself a weekly budget and rarely exceed it. I shop in the same supermarket every week and will pay special attention to offers. They have recently started a loyalty/points programme, which I love. If I do have to get anything outside of the ‘big shop’, I have a preference for picking up these additional pieces in a store where I’ll collect points that I can use for other things.
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What has been your most extravagant purchase and how much did it cost?
Working as a busy fashion stylist, back in the Celtic Tiger days of carrying designer handbags in the crook of your elbow, I lusted after a Marc Jacobs leather handbag. I still have it. It cost me about €400 at the time, which was a lot. It still is!
What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money?
A Sage smart kettle. I love tea, drink it all the time, so the kettle is the hardest-working device in the kitchen. This one is silent and has different heat settings for coffees and teas, and it has a ‘stay hot’ function, which means I am not reboiling all the time.
I try to make all of my purchases from retailers, in person if at all possible. I worked for many years in retail and appreciate the jobs that our retail sector offers, so I view any money spent in a bricks-and-mortar shop or with an independent local business as best value.
Is there anything you regret spending money on?
I regret spending a fortune on skincare. Every time! I buy into it with great commitment and belief, and I expect to see the effects overnight, which never happens. All I get is a spendy hangover.
Do you haggle over prices?
Well ... I shop around for fashion. Vinted and Vestiaire both have a ‘make me an offer’ function that I always use. I love that clothing and fashion are now more circular, and I enjoy finding a special piece that maybe I missed the first time around.
Do you invest in shares or cryptocurrency?
I don’t invest in shares or crypto. The only thing I invest in is time with friends and loved ones!
Do you have a retirement or pension plan?
My dad, who has recently turned 82, worked right up until his 81st birthday and, like him, I think I’ll be working in some way or another right through my ‘retirement’ years. I’ve been lucky in my career in fashion. And coming to poetry and writing and performing in my late 40s means that my work is fulfilling in so many ways, including financially (albeit modestly) and personally. I hope to keep finding creative ways to work and earn well into my 60s, 70s and 80s.
What was the last thing you bought and was it good value for money?
I love the transformative power that clothes offer. Recently, I got a very special dress for my 50th birthday. It was made especially for me by the Dublin-based designer, Orla Langan. It’s a once-off by Orla, and the fabric came from an Irish retailer; it’s important to me to put my money into Irish retailers and creatives. The dress is such a beautiful piece and reminds me of a very special time, so no matter how much it cost, it’s great value.
Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase?
I saved as part of the SSIA (Special Savings Incentive Account) in the early 2000s and when my savings came to fruition, I spent it on braces for my teeth.
Have you ever lost money?
I haven’t lost money knowingly, but I have been scammed. I was approached for cash in a place of work after a telephone call from a tradesman who had cleared it with ‘John’, which happened to be the name of my boss. I handed over the €100 and I knew the instant he took the money that I’d been had.
Are you a gambler, and if so, have you ever had a big win?
I’m not a gambler. I don’t even buy Lotto tickets at all now because I was always so disappointed when I didn’t win. In my mind, I had spent the money!
What is your best habit when it comes to money?
I only spend what I have. I don’t borrow, and I don’t have credit. I don’t own anything, but I don’t owe anything, either. My worst habit is that I spend what I have.
How much money do you have on you now?
I like to always have a little cash in my wallet for quick purchases, so I have €50. I appreciate the ease and speed of digital banking, and I carry less cash these days, but I think using your phone as a wallet creates an unhealthy disconnect between us and our funds.
In conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea
