Adventure athlete Becky Gilmour will participate in RePlay, a new street arts festival taking place at Parthalán Place, Tallaght, Dublin, on Saturday, August 15th.
Are you a saver or a spender?
I’m a spender, but within reason. Most of my time is spent on the road and on trips raising money for charities, which means I budget carefully so that I have enough money to last me through expeditions. During my skate across Ireland last year, people gifted me more money than I needed for the trip. I still chose to camp instead of paying for accommodation, so I used that money to paint mental health-related murals across the coast.
What was the first job you received money for, and how much were you paid?
I saved my pocket money as a kid and when I was about nine, I started my own dog-walking business. I called it Pet Pamper but that job didn’t make me much, that’s for sure!
Do you shop around for better value?
To an extent, yes. I will go to stores that are better value for groceries, and I love thrift shops. I’ll often only buy something new if it’s outdoor gear that needs to function well to keep me safe on expeditions.
What has been your most extravagant purchase, and how much did it cost?
I became an artist through my time at university. As this business grew, I realised that I wanted to travel. It’s not very practical to carry paint, canvases and easels around with me, so I saved and bought myself a good iPad with all the accessories I needed. I then used that for digital art and graphic design, and did this while on the road.
What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money?
Travel and experiences. I don’t think any material item has ever brought me as much peace, self-growth and joy as my first plane tickets to travel alone to a tiny little island called El Hierro, the second-smallest of the eight inhabited islands of the Canaries.
Is there anything you regret spending money on?
Far too many make-up and beauty products. I can appreciate make-up as a form of self-expression, but I bought into a culture that made me feel inadequate, as though the person I was naturally wasn’t as worthy or beautiful as one with make-up.
Do you haggle over prices?
It depends on the country or what I’m purchasing. I love a good Facebook Marketplace haggle. However, if I’m purchasing from an independent business or artist, I’d prefer to pay full price, if not more, to support their work and keep them doing what they love. We need more art and genuine, authentic businesses and, to get that, it’s important to support them the best we can.
Do you invest in shares and/or cryptocurrency?
I don’t. This is something I haven’t put enough time or energy into looking at. I’m not in circles where my friends have ever done this either, so it’s not something I know a lot about.
Do you have a retirement or pension plan?
I don’t, but that is something I really want to start looking into soon. Some peace of mind about the future would be great, but affording my current lifestyle is enough these days.
What was the last thing you bought, and was it good value for money?
The last thing I bought was ice cream for myself and some of my family. I’d say it was a good purchase in this weather and for the smiles on their faces. A lot of my gear is now gifted by brands, which is incredibly helpful, and so most of my purchases are for food and travel.
Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase?
Plane tickets to very far away countries, and insurance, are usually things I’ll have to save for. I don’t struggle with saving when I have a reliable income, but working as a freelancer and constantly moving can make it challenging at times.
Have you ever lost money?
I’ve made a few silly mistakes that have cost me, but I haven’t really lost a significant amount of money. I’m usually quite careful with what I have without taking too many risks with it.
Are you a gambler, and if so, have you ever had a big win?
I’m not a gambler. My degree was in creative and professional writing, and I was once hired as a ghost writer for an gambling website. I spent a lot of time learning about it, and it’s alarming to know all the ways in which people can be caught out and dragged deeper into debt. I’ve stayed away from gambling because of that.
What is your best habit when it comes to money? And your worst?
My best habit is being grateful for everything I have. I don’t need much at all to be content, and I think that prevents me from making huge or risky spends. I’m almost always on an adventure, which means living with one backpack, so purchases just give me more weight to carry. My worst habit is potentially being a little too relaxed with money.
How much money do you have on you now?
None. I pay for everything through my phone. Sometimes I’ll stick a €10 note in the back of my phone case, so I have a little cash handy.
In conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea