10 lessons I've learned from the recession

Let me start by saying this isn't an ode to the good ol' days of the recession - which I may add is still very much biting me in the ass - but sometimes it's good to look on the bright side, count the blessings, tot up the lessons, etc., etc. So with that in mind, here are 10 things I for one have learned from the recession.

1. Whether you have €400 or €4000 a month to spend, you will spend all of it. The 400-er will wonder how they got through the month and the 4000-er will wonder how they got through the money.

2. Road running is cheaper, healthier, and better for the soul than a gym. Plus you get to say "Meep! Meep!" in your head every time you pass someone out.

Meep, Meep!

3. Own brands are almost always more expensive brands repackaged (for example, Aldi's award-winning tea) or even just a better product (I’m looking at you, Lidl nappies) - so give the cheap stuff a go before committing to any particular brand.

4. But sometimes splashing out on the things you really love is worth it. Bombay Sapphire, anyone?

5. Which brings us to the old and familiar adage – "Look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves." That phrase has been around all this time for a reason, people.

6. As has "One person’s trash is another person’s treasure", so make like Eminem and start clearing out your closet. With local buy-and-sell FB groups popping up all over the country, there’s no better time to get rid of that foot spa you bought in the January sales five years ago.

7. Tesco school shoes are just as good as Clarks. For three kids, that's a bill of about €45 versus €150. Now think of all the Bombay Sapphire that could buy.

Extreme edginess. I actually drove this car. 

8. Sometimes poor can be cool. I have a friend who is broke, but her daughter attends a very posh private school due to someone else paying the fees. She always felt embarrassed parking her beat-up Toyota Corolla amid all the black shiny SUVs, until one of the other mothers confided to her that they all thought she was being "edgy" with her car choice. After that, she started blasting Pulp's "Common People" from the clapped-out stereo and has never looked back.

9. Don’t bother spending your hard-earned cash on expensive kids' clothes. Kids look cute in a paper bag, so choose Primark over Prada every time.

10. The play park is just as much fun as the soft play centre. Plus there are less germs, less noise, and it’s free. Kids don’t agree? Bribe them with a cheap ice cream and pocket the rest of the savings.