“In some industries I know there is an extra markup added to the first quote, so I will always ask for a discount” – The Irish Times

Prior to joining Key Patent Innovations, Angela Quinn was Vice President of Licensing and Acquisitions at Atlantic IP Services, responsible for licensing, portfolio acquisition and patent prosecution.

Are you a saver or a spender?

Both. I hate the thought of not having money for the essentials and I get very upset if I feel like I’m spending a lot of money, but I can also be very good at redefining the meaning of “essentials.”

I also tend to splurge when it comes to buying attractions/trips for the family. Anything that gives us precious memories and time together is worth it.

Are you looking for a better value?

Usually yes, because I usually have a sense of how much I expect something to cost. If it is more expensive, I will look around for a long time before I buy it. On the other hand, if something seems worth the price, I usually buy it immediately.

What was the most extravagant purchase you ever made and how much did it cost?

My most extravagant purchase ever was probably the Bugaboo Donkey double stroller when I was expecting my second child. It cost 1,500 euros, 10 times what I spent on my first stroller, and I drooled over it for months before I decided to buy it.

I have never once regretted it, and I must admit that I was teary-eyed when the day finally came that I could sell it.

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What purchase have you made that you consider to be the best value for money?

I bought a Hobbs dress in Kildare Village for €75 – that was eight years ago and it’s still my favorite dress for any ‘fancy’ occasion.

How do you prefer to shop during Covid-19 restrictions – online or local?

Wherever possible I always prefer to shop local, and when online shopping became a necessity during Covid, I also tried to shop online from local stores.

Do you haggle about prices?

I never haggle over the price of an item – I always take the price for granted and based on that I decide whether I can afford it or not. I know that most companies operate on razor-thin margins, so I would never assume that my desire to own something is greater than the company’s need to make ends meet.

However, there are industries where I know that an additional margin has been added to the first quote, so I will always ask for a discount.

How has the Covid-19 crisis changed your spending habits?

Before Covid, I always went to the gym, exercised indoors, and ran on the treadmill. During Covid-19, I started running outdoors and the mental release from it kept me going and I’ve stuck to it ever since. I just couldn’t imagine running on a treadmill again, which is great because it saved me a ton of gym fees!

Do you invest in stocks?

NO. I always plan to invest in stocks when I have spare money, but I haven’t gotten to that point yet.

Do you have a retirement or retirement plan?

Yes, after a slow start, my retirement plan has grown steadily over the last few years. I also spoke to a financial advisor a few years ago and got help consolidating my pensions from my previous employment. This has been wonderful because now I feel like I actually have control over my retirement plans.

What was the last thing you bought and was it good value for money?

I recently bought my daughters official Paris Olympics jerseys at the Athletes’ Village – and no, they were not worth the price. I suspected there would be cheaper versions outside the village, but I felt like I wanted to buy them something special to celebrate this special occasion.

I also justified it in my mind because it had a dual purpose: to commemorate the Olympics, and also to ease the mom guilt I felt during my absence!

Have you ever saved up for a relatively large purchase?

My husband and I saved long and hard to put a deposit on a house in 2013. When we met, we were both PhD students and moved around a lot while trying to build our careers.

Over the years, we lived in some of the most expensive cities in the world on an intern/student salary, and it took a lot of effort to save money each month.

Have you ever lost money?

When I was 14, I lost 5 euros watching the St. Patrick’s Day parade. Back then, 5 euros was a lot of money for me. I still remember how disgusted I was!

Are you a gambler and if so, have you ever won big?

I’m generally very conservative with money, but sometimes I buy lottery tickets and/or enter lotteries. My biggest win so far was €2.

Is money important to you?

Money is certainly not the most important thing in life – but there is no denying that it is important. There is probably a level of wealth at which money becomes completely irrelevant, but for me – and I expect most people – it is unquestionably important to try to make sure that the money coming in every month covers your expenses.

How much money do you have on you now?

I don’t live near an ATM and, apart from putting coins in the trolleys at local supermarkets, I never carry cash with me. I pay for everything by card or phone. Otherwise, I resort to “borrowing” from my girlfriends’ piggy banks, but please don’t tell them that.