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‘I‘ve always been fascinated by money and how to make it work for you’

Me & My Money: Simon Moore, co-owner of Brickyard Gastropub, Dundrum

Simon Moore, co-owner and head chef at the Brickyard gastropub in Dundrum: 'Years in business have taught me the importance of shopping around.'

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Tony Clayton-Lea
Mon Jan 15 2024 - 06:00

Simon Moore is head chef and co-owner of the Brickyard Gastropub and Grindstone Coffee in Dundrum, brickyard.ie

Are you a saver or a spender?

A bit of both. I save regularly but I’m realistic about my savings goals and don’t strangle myself either. I give myself a budget for discretionary spending and try to stick to that.

Do you shop around for better value?

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Absolutely, and especially for big-ticket items. Years in business have taught me the importance of this. I recently saved almost 50 per cent on a bathroom renovation just by taking a couple of extra hours to shop around.

What has been your most extravagant purchase and how much did it cost?

Since my business partner Erwin Pollard and I bought Brickyard in 2016, we have sought to make significant structural and design alterations. The decision to invest €300,000 between us to ensure the gastropub would reach its full potential was really significant given the challenging past few years the hospitality industry had experienced. As scary as that decision was, it’s one of the best we’ve ever made.

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

Probably my ticket for the Dublin Marathon in 2022. That pushed me to get fit, lose weight and change my lifestyle for the better. It’s probably added 20 years to my life.

[ ‘Graduating in the recession, being financially stable and secure is very important to me’ ]

How did you prefer to shop during the Covid 19 restrictions – online or local?

I probably did most of my shopping online purely because of the hassle of going to the shops, wearing masks, queuing up, hand sanitising and so on. That said, I still did the grocery shopping every week – that was like a day out for me.

Do you haggle over prices?

In business, definitely. There are always deals to be done so we’re constantly trying to get better pricing on everything. Even a 1 per cent saving on the cost of something can have a massive impact on your bottom line. In my personal life, when I’m out shopping, never.

How did the Covid-19 crisis change your spending habits?

It hasn’t changed anything fundamental about what I buy but like a lot of people, it has changed how I buy. I’ve become a lot more accustomed to shopping online, whereas before Covid I probably never would have bought certain things such as clothes or food items online. Now, it’s just the norm.

Do you invest in shares?

Yes, I took some time to learn about investing, the importance of it, how to do it and so while it’s not massive money, I do use a couple of different platforms to invest such as Degiro and Revolut.

[ ‘I’m from a working-class background so I don’t feel that I need endless amounts of money to be happy’ ]

Cash or card?

Card, 100 per cent.

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

A pair of shorts and a T-shirt from GymShark. I haven’t tried them out yet as they only arrived today, but the price was good.

Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase?

Yes, that would be the deposit for a mortgage. It’s tough trying to save for a mortgage and pay rent at the same time but very satisfying once you achieve it.

Have you ever lost money?

Over the years, yes, a couple of bob here and there. I went to Vegas about five years ago and definitely lost a few dollars in the casinos. I’d be very careful in general, however, and it was nothing too upsetting.

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

No, but I gamble the odd time as part of a syndicate that we formed in Brickyard with a few customers. Outside of that, no, as I’d prefer to save the money or spend it on a night out than in the bookies.

Is money important to you?

Yes, very. I know it isn’t for everybody but I’ve always been fascinated by money and how to generate it and make it work for you.

How much money do you have on you now?

None, I hardly ever have cash.

In conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea

Me & My Money