‘I’m earning more than I’ve ever earned before’

SENATOR Lynn Ruane was elected to Seanad Eireann last year at the age of 31. She is a former president of Trinity College Dublin’s Students’ Union and a single mother of two from the Dublin suburb of Tallaght.

Ruane is also an ambassador for the Women for Election’s crowdfunding campaign. The campaign, which has just been launched, aims to raise €50,000 to subsidise the training of 300 women to stand for election. For more information on the campaign — and how to support it, visit www.womenforelection.ie/ indiegogo-campaign.

What’s the most important lesson about money which your career as a senator has taught you? I’m earning more as a senator than I’ve ever earned before. I’ve learned the advantage that such an income gives when it comes to progressing your children in education. I now have the money to invest in the likes of grinds for my eldest daughter. I feel a bit guilty about the access to education that a higher wage can buy.

What’s the most expensive country you ever visited? Of the countries I’ve visited, South Africa and Mexico were the most expensive to get to, while Italy — I was in Rome and Milan — was the most expensive on the ground.

What’s your favourite Irish coin? I loved the old 20p with the horse on it. I think I always wanted to have a horse when growing up. A lot of people had horses in Tallaght then.

Are you better off than your parents? My mum and dad were both manual factory workers so I’m better off than them in terms of income. However, my parents were better off than me with property. They bought their house between 25 and 30 years ago. However, house prices today are too high for me to be able to get a mortgage to buy one.

What’s the most expensive thing you have ever bought? Either my car — which is a Ford Focus, or my laser eye surgery — which cost about €3,000.

What was your worst job? I worked in Burger King for a summer when I was a teenager.

What was your biggest financial mistake? Taking out a credit card when I was 21. I moved into an apartment then and, at that time, people were giving out credit cards like they were sweets. It was a big mistake to get a credit card when I didn’t have the maturity to manage one.

What was your best financial killing? I don’t think I’ve ever had a big financial win. I won a few hundred on the Grand National a few times but never that much.

What’s the most expensive thing about being a parent? For my youngest daughter, it was childcare. For my eldest daughter, this year’s grinds are expensive, and her freestyle dancing lessons and costumes were also a huge cost.

Android or iPhone? iPhone. I like the iPhone because I have access to everything I need with it. However, I don’t like its battery life.

Have you ever made an insurance claim? Yes — after my iPhone was damaged.

iTunes or Spotify? Spotify. I listen to music a lot when driving.

What was the last thing you bought online? A new dress for my cousin’s wedding.

Would you buy Irish property now? I would like to, given my age and my family circumstances. I’m saving for property now.

Cash or card? Card mostly. I like the convenience of it.

Do you ever haggle? I’m terrible at haggling. I get embarrassed doing it!