HOW DO PEOPLE around Ireland save and spend? As the digital bank N26 grows its user base here, we’re setting out to speak to real people about their relationship to money. What’s easy? What’s challenging? And what purchases can they never resist?
This week: Paula McGurdy, a contemporary artist based in Dublin. Paula says she has always been a collector of “things” and that shines through in her work: paintings layered with mixed media drawings resulting in beautiful, playful creations. Her latest collection, The Spaces In Between, launches this week.
Art is kind of what I’ve always done. I did a bit of globetrotting after school, worked as I went along and then came back to Ireland and managed an art supply shop. But from there I realised that I wanted to be doing more than selling supplies, I wanted to be the one making art. So I moved to the UK and studied Fine Art as a mature student.
I don’t have ‘regular’ work hours, but my studio is in the house and the door is always open. We have two kids aged 11 and 8 so ours is a busy house, but any time I have the chance, you’ll find me in the studio making something. It’s a cliché, but when your work is something you love doing, when it’s your passion, it doesn’t feel like work.
Instagram has been an amazing source of business for me, I get a lot of my commissions from there – people see my work and get in touch. I also work with a couple of galleries, Canvas Galleries in Belfast and Hang Tough in Dublin. It’s good to have a mix of work coming in, rather than putting all your eggs in one basket.
When I started out, I was naive in terms of money management but I’ve learned plenty of lessons along the way. It took me a while to realise that budgeting was a skill I could just go ahead and learn. In the end, I took a couple of small business and bookkeeping courses. I try to stay on top of the basics: documenting my incomings and outgoings, having a separate account for the business, and putting money aside when it comes in from different commissions.
I’m a big believer in setting saving goals. When you have something to aim for, it’s easier to save more, rather than thinking, ‘I’ve hit a certain amount of savings, I’ve reached the status quo, that’s enough’.
The last thing I treated myself to was a really beautiful piece of art. It was a rare purchase for me – I don’t have many pieces by other artists in the house, but I just saw this one and knew it was for me. It’s something I’ll be able to look at for years to come. For now it’s sitting in my studio awaiting framing but it’ll be on the wall soon!
I love the idea of spending my money on experiences, rather than going out and buying loads of new clothes. For me, a night away or a lovely lunch with friends is always going to be worth the money because you’re carving out time for the people in your life and making something of those moments. But don’t get me wrong, I love having nice clothes in my wardrobe too…
If I was heading out to buy a coffee, my go-to would be a flat white at Through The Green, a drive-through spot in Dundrum. They’ve set it up in a shipping container and I love the efficiency of it, especially when I’m in a rush: you give your order at one window, and pick it up at the next one.
I’m in heaven when I’m in an art supply shop, and my favourite is Evans Art Supplies in Dublin city. I love a wander round in there and they always have what I need. It’s a small family-run business, and their delivery service during the lockdown was incredible.
I try to pass a healthy knowledge of money management onto the kids. My daughter asked for some new craft supplies yesterday – her current project is making mini backpacks out of raisin boxes for her toy figurines and she wanted some paint – so we went shopping and I gave her a budget of €10. We worked out how much everything was and what she could get for that amount. Budgeting is a great skill to have at any age.
Working for yourself or just ready to take control of your finances? The premium N26 You account includes up to 10 Spaces sub-accounts for budgeting and saving, along with a range of incredible benefits including a free Mastercard debit card in the colour of your choice, free ATM withdrawals worldwide, 24/7 customer care and premium partnership discounts to help you save money on some of your favourite everyday brands.
Like all N26 plans, you’ll get free payments worldwide, 100% mobile banking and no hidden fees. Get a free N26 You account for one year using the code FREEN26YOU on N26.ie until July 31, 2021.
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