Aileen Gaskin grew up in Dundalk, Co. Louth and studied public relations at the Dundalk Institute of Technology.
She started in The Communications Clinic in 2010 as part of a DkIT work placement and now lives in Clontarf, Dublin.
In her spare time, Aileen likes to travel, dine out and spend time with family and friends. When it comes to saving, she has a few tips that are clever and help her out during the year to manage her funds
Are you a spender or a saver?
I’m a bit of both! If I see nice clothes, I’m always tempted and sometimes buy them. Most of the time, I end up returning them and feel like I’m making money.
But it is not just clothes. If I see a deal on flights, I’m always tempted (and nearly always book them).
How much do you spend a month on bills?
Now I’ve got to do the maths! All in, it's probably in the region of €1,500 per month.
When it comes to bills like motor tax and car insurance, I would rather pay them up front than in monthly installments. Each important bill like this is noted in my phone so it reminds me that I need to relax on spending a few months beforehand.
The bills I often forget about as they come out automatically are the smaller ones such as Netflix, Now TV and Disney
How much do you spend a month on clothes/beauty products?
I don’t budget so if I like something, I’ll buy it. I definitely spend more on clothes than on beauty products. I tend to mainly shop in Zara, Mango, Dunnes and Sheba in Dundalk so they’re all relatively affordable.
I usually get gifted lots of beauty products for Christmas and my birthday, so they tend to last me. I might buy beauty products twice a year.
I do like a bargain, and I wouldn't be into purchasing designer items, so that helps. I shop around online and often try to find a cheaper price on something I want but also look and see if there is free/cheaper delivery attached.
Do you have any money-saving hacks?
When it comes to saving, I put €4 a day into a Revolut vault, so at the end of the year, I’ll have approximately €1,500 in a time of need.
I have a notes section on my phone for all upcoming events. So you would have the usual birthdays, Christmas etc but I also have other events that don't crop up every year for example new home present for a friend or if a friend has a baby. I put suggestions of presents beside this and the budget.
It is handy, as the next year I can look back and see what I got them and how much was spent- when it comes saving hacks this is key - It also gives me an idea at the end of the year how much I spent on presents and gifts.
What is the most expensive thing you have ever bought?
The cars I’ve had. My first car was a new Audi A1, and it cost 15,000 euros – a bargain now that I look back!
Holidays are where my money goes. Over the last few years, I have travelled to Vietnam, Cambodia, Mexico, and the East and West Coast of America.
I have also been to Italy, Iceland, London, Paris and Copenhagen.
What is the biggest financial mistake you have ever made?
I think I’ve been lucky in that regard!
Has a money situation ever caused you to cry?
Never. Although I may have been close to it before Christmas when there was an issue with the bank and I didn’t get paid on time.
Have you ever been scammed?
Thankfully not.
What was the last significant item you bought?
Do flights to Japan count? Travel creates amazing memories and I rarely go back to the same country so it’s next on my list to visit. The whole trip will probably cost me around €3K between flights, accommodation and spending money.
How much money do you have on you?
Zero. I can’t remember the last time I went to an ATM.
