Des Ekin is a retired journalist and the author of four books – including the hugely popular The Stolen Village. Born in County Down, he began his career as a reporter. He currently lives in Dublin and is married with a son and two daughters. Ekin is also the author of Ireland’s Pirate Trail, which explores Ireland’s piratical heritage. A new edition of this book is out now. Visit obrien.ie for more details.
What’s the most important lesson about money that your career has taught you?
As a news reporter, I developed an ability to spot a fraudster a mile away. Then, during my research for Ireland’s Pirate Trail, I was surprised at how many pirates had their treasure swindled from them by rogue financiers. As one historian wrote in 1724, the financiers were better pirates on land than the pirates were at sea. How true. If Blackbeard were alive today, he’d be working in Wall Street.
What has the coronavirus crisis taught you about money?
How little I miss the expensive things and how much I miss the free things I once took for granted – such as family get-togethers and hillwalking.
What’s the best advice you ever got about money?
The safest way to double your money is to fold it twice and put it in your pocket – from the James Bond movie Goldfinger. If you can’t trust a Bond villain, who can you trust!
What’s the most expensive thing about being a parent?
The ceiling repairs after my five-year-old decided to make a swimming pool in the upstairs bedroom.
What’s the most expensive country you ever visited?
I thought Iceland was super-expensive years ago, but I checked current prices – €4 for a latte and €7.90 for a beer – and we’re not that far off.
What’s your favourite Irish coin?
The humble euro – both for its looks and its symbolism.
Apart from property, what’s the most expensive thing you have ever bought?
My little hybrid car – which I love.
What was your worst job?
A summer job weeding acres of thorny rose bushes. Even with gloves, every day was like fighting Edward Scissorhands.
Your biggest financial mistake?
Not fixing a wage in advance of my second worst job: potato-picking as a teenager. After a week of gruelling labour, the skinflint farmer paid me with a bucket of potatoes – and warned me to bring the bucket back.
What was your best financial killing?
My best money decision was to save the income from my book The Stolen Village over a few years and use it to clear my mortgage – which gave me the confidence to quit the day job.
Are you better off than your parents?
Yes – thanks to them.
If you won the Euromillions, what would you do with the money?
Ride a Harley-Davidson across America.
iTunes or Spotify?
I had one of the first Spotify accounts in Ireland and I still think it’s best for streaming. Nothing beats vinyl though.
Do you ever haggle?
Never. I do my research and pay the best price – buying local if I can. I hate the demeaning system of asking for a discount for small purchases in shops.
Are you a spender or saver?
Neither, really. If my income covers the bills each year with enough left over for a bit of travel in normal times, then I’m happy – and very lucky. A lot of people are hurting out there.
What three things would you not be able to do without if you were tightening your belt?
Netflix – a lifesaver during lockdown. Spotify. Coffee.
Sunday Independent