MY MONEY

‘Every generation has its own challenges. I’m caught between two recessions’

RAY Cuddihy is one of the three hosts of RTE’s new Home School Hub programme, which airs on RTE2 every weekday between 11am and noon. The programme was launched in late March — shortly after the country went into lockdown — to provide primary schoolchildren with fun daily lessons from the comfort of their home.

Cuddihy, a primary school teacher from Doneraile in north Cork, has previously worked with RTEjr as an actor and puppeteer. For more information, visit rte.ie/tv/programmes.

Has the coronavirus crisis taught you anything about money?

It’s taught me how much money I’ve spent on gigs — and on going out in general. I really want to support the musicians I’d normally support — musicians depend on gigs, but so many can’t play gigs now until 2021. The crisis has made me more aware of what I need to do to support musicians.

The most expensive country you ever visited?

Switzerland — I remember going there for a snowboarding trip and everywhere was so expensive.

Though I find Dublin very expensive too.

What’s your favourite Irish coin or note?

The old pennies were amazing. The old 20p with the horse on it was beautiful — as was the old punt coin with the Irish elk. I love the old 10p with the salmon.

The most expensive thing you have ever bought?

My car — which isn’t really an expensive car. My car wouldn’t impress anyone. I’m hoping to buy a camper van some day.

What was your worst job?

Picking stones out of a field. Your work is never done with that job. I used to listen to music when doing it, but even then I think I only lasted two days.

Are you better off than your parents?

I don’t think I’m any better or worse off than my parents. My parents worked a lot harder than I do — not that I’m a slacker, but they worked incredibly hard. My parents had more of an opportunity to own a house than I did. I’m caught between two recessions: the one that began in 2008 and the current one. Every generation has its own challenges. Every generation looks at the older generation without truly understanding how they’ve lived.

What was your biggest financial mistake?

I did what a lot of people who are passionate about underground music do. I published a lot of underground music on CD and vinyl — and out of a batch of 800, you’d sell about 100. Not a wise investment!

The best advice you ever got about money?

‘Easy come, easy go’ was a saying of my Dad’s. It’s not the most prudent advice about money, but I really loved that saying of his because it usually meant he was about to throw me €50 or something. I’m not sure if I live by that saying myself — sometimes I really love saving but at other times, I find it difficult to keep money in my pocket.

If you won the EuroMillions, what would you do with the money?

I don’t think money would buy happiness — but it could make things a lot easier. If I won the

EuroMillions, I’d look after the people around me and the people I care for — and I’d figure out a way to use it as wisely as I can. I’d go on a lot more holidays.

iTunes or Spotify?

I’m really not into Spotify. I don’t think Spotify rewards musicians — or that musicians make a lot of money out of Spotify. I use Bandcamp instead — and I also buy from traditional record shops such as Plugd Records in Cork and All City Records in Dublin.

What was the last thing you bought online?

A book: Ireland’s Animals by Niall Mac Coitir.

Would you buy Irish property if you had the money?

Yes — it is my dream to own a place.

What three things would you not be able to do without if you were tightening your belt?

My phone — because I listen to so many podcasts. My bike — as I adore my bike. Sports gear — as I love training and the outdoors.