Laughing all the way to the bank

This Cork writer is saving over €5,000 every year and is now passing on his secrets, says Colette Sheridan

TO save money, make changes, not sacrifices, says How to Save 5,000: This Year and Every Year author James O’Donovan. It’s as simple as cutting the cost of your family’s daily orange juice and milk bills.

First-time author O’Donovan is an IT worker in Cork, married to primary school teacher Rosaleen. The couple have an 8-year-old son and are “not on the breadline”, but were impacted by austerity in 2009. “Before you know it, you’re down €10,000 net,” says O’Donovan, 42. “That’s a huge figure, so I decided to do something about it. I looked at all our spending and started with the small stuff. When it comes to saving, you have to see what you’re spending and find a cheaper way of getting the same stuff.”