Andy Culligan is cofounder and chief executive of the outsourced marketing business Purple Path. A specialist in account-based marketing, he was recently named Marketer of the Year at the 2025 Tekpon Awards.
Are you a saver or a spender?
I am probably more of a spender than a saver but, in saying that, I try not to go too crazy with spending. I have some “you have insufficient funds” PTSD from my early twenties that still keeps me in tow, so I always make sure we have a good cushion to land on should we hit hard times.
What was the first job you received money for, and how much were you paid?
My first job was data input for a merchandising business in Dublin. I was 14 at the time and spent days sitting in an office plugging ones and zeros into a black and green screen computer. I was on minimum wage which at the time was £4.90, I think. I clearly remember I was on emergency tax for my first month and ended up with about £5 in my bank account.
Do you shop around for better value?
I do but in our house, we tend to look at the bigger picture when it comes to purchases. Value for me is the whole thing, rather than just the price, and I’ve learned too often that cheap can sometimes be more expensive in the long run. I look at reviews of the quality of products and services, especially on more expensive items, but I always try to come to a decision relatively quickly. I hate indecisiveness.
RM Block
What has been your most extravagant purchase and how much did it cost?
I bought a walking pad – an under-desk treadmill. I’ve been working from home since 2019 and have been trying to create a perfect set-up for my home office. Most of my work is based on calls, and I tend to think better when I walk, so I put two and two together. The walking pad set me back €900.
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What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money?
My iPad. I’ve had it since 2018 and it is as good as new. In the same time frame, I’ve gone through probably four iPhones and three laptops. That generation of iPad works perfectly and I use it daily for both work and personal.
Is there anything you regret spending money on?
Yes. I have two outdoor heaters and two large mulled wine heaters that I bought during Covid. We were planning on having an outdoor Christmas party with friends but then we went into lockdown. Neither the outdoor heaters nor the mulled wine heaters has ever been used.
Do you haggle over prices?
Yes, when the situation allows. I love a good market while on holiday and I’m happy to walk away instead of spending an extra 50 cent on a beach towel!
Do you invest in shares and/or cryptocurrency?
I look at investment in two ways. For the short term I invest in shares and crypto every month. This is mostly because I’m interested in learning more about how it all works. I’m only putting a tiny bit of pocket money in each month, so it isn’t something I’m massively concerned about losing.
For the long term, some years ago, I started to invest in bonds, and I see this as our retirement pillow.
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Do you have a retirement or pension plan?
As well as the investments in bonds just mentioned, I have a private pension.
What was the last thing you bought and was it good value for money?
We live in Austria and have 35-degree summers, so I just bought a UV-blocking T-shirt for our dog, which has alopecia. This will certainly save us some money in the long run, as we won’t have to get as many moles removed by the vet.
Why Austria?
Jobs were scarce when I finished my degree just as the economy crashed in 2008. My then partner – now wife – is Austrian. We had met on a Erasmus exchange. We decided that Vienna offered a stronger future, so I packed up my life in Ireland and made the move.
Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase?
Following the first job at 14, I saved up and bought myself a Raleigh mountain bike. I had my eye on it for a few months leading up to it. After my emergency tax was returned, I finally had enough saved up!
Have you ever lost money?
Luckily not. So far my investments are all in the green.
Are you a gambler and, if so, have you ever had a big win?
I tend not to gamble but one time, on a boys’ trip, we decided to chip in €10 and put it towards the sport of choice that was on the pub telly. We decided we would continue until the weekend was over. We started with €50, were up about €1,500 at one point, and then bet it all on a west coast college basketball game. Things didn’t go too well from there!
What is your best habit when it comes to money? And your worst?
My best habit is that I try to keep a good mix of cash and investments, with those investments being quite diversified. The worst habit is probably that I worry a bit too much about it.
How much money do you have on you now?
I have €50. I always have a minimum of €50 on me. Living in Austria, you can never be too certain if you can pay with a card, which seems mad in this day and age.
In conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea
