‘I suffer from having a champagne eye matched by a beer pocket!’

PAIDI O Lionaird is a television presenter for TG4 and a news editor with Nuacht, the Irish language television news services broadcast by RTE and TG4. O Lionaird is originally from Baile Mhuirne, the heart of the Muskerry Gaeltacht in Cork. He now lives with his family in Connemara. After graduating as a teacher, he went on to do a Masters in Media. He has been fronting various programmes on TG4 since 1997.

What’s the most important lesson about money which your career as a broadcaster has taught you? From my years as a freelance broadcaster, I learnt a valuable lesson: Turnover does not equal profit!

Do you have a favourite Irish saying about money? “Is fearr an tslainte na na tainte” — health is better than wealth.

What’s your favourite Irish coin? Showing my age, I love all the coins from my youth — the bull on the 5p, the salmon on the 10p and the stag on the first £1 punt coin. Those images are inherently iconic in their Irishness: Tain Bo Chuailgne, an Bradan Feasa and the Great Red Deer Stag.

Are you better off than your parents? Yes and no. Financially, yes — in some respects. However, I haven’t even a percentage of their accumulated wealth of language, cultural awareness and spirituality.

Apart from property, what’s the most expensive thing you have ever bought? My greatest other expense revolves around a weakness for cars, notwithstanding the fact that I suffer from having a champagne eye matched by a beer pocket! I like to drive a ‘nice’ car but have to temper my taste with third- and fourth-hand prices.

What was your worst job? I’ve been very fortunate. I couldn’t honestly say I’ve ever had a really bad experience at work.

What was your biggest financial mistake? This one’s easy. My wife and I placed a cash deposit on a timber frame for our first home with a reputable company - only to find the company folding the following week and entering receivership. Needless to say, we received neither a timber frame nor our money back! That set us back five years and relieved us of all our savings.

What was your best financial killing? It’s an annual gig called Le Tour De France, broadcast live on TG4. Getting paid to sit and watch the tour with my buddy Padraig Quinn. We share the load equally. He commentates on the race proper while I concentrate on informing viewers apropos cheese, wine and the odd Chateau!

Do you use any money saving apps? Hotelclub and Private Sport Shop.

Android or iPhone? iPhone all the way.

Do you know how much is in your current account? No, but I do know it begins with the minus sign.

Have you ever made an insurance claim? If so, what was it for? Yes, for a lost or stolen iPhone.

Have you ever switched utility provider? Yes, regularly.

iTunes or Spotify? Both.

What was the last thing you bought online? Bar tape for my bike.

Do you have a mortgage? Is it fixed, variable or tracker? Variable! It makes my blood boil.

Would you buy Irish property now? Why? Yes, to downsize.

Cash or card? Mostly card but I like having some cash in hand.

Do you ever haggle? Always — much to the chagrin of any present company!