‘Anybody below the age of 40 without a pension is making a huge mistake’

David Keogh, CEO of the Auralia cosmetic surgery group, advocates for a balanced approach to personal finance, prioritizing saving while acknowledging the value of thoughtful spending.

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I’m in my mid-thirties now, so these days I’m definitely more of a saver than I was in my twenties. I still enjoy spending money on things that add value to my life or work, but I also like to be prepared for the unexpected.

Now in his mid-thirties, Keogh identifies as more of a saver than he was in his twenties. He believes in spending money on items that enhance his life or work but stresses the importance of preparing for unforeseen circumstances. His early entrepreneurial ventures, starting with upgrading friends' bikes at age 10 and washing windows at 13, instilled a strong work ethic and an understanding of earning money.

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I’m happy to pay a fair price if I’m getting quality or great service in return.

Keogh advises caution when seeking value, citing his business dealings in China where he learned that the cheapest option is not always the best. He is willing to pay a fair price for quality products or excellent service. His most significant purchase, a Range Rover, was a goal he had set for himself, reflecting a deliberate approach to major expenditures.

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A home sauna. It’s genuinely one of the best purchases I’ve ever made. I use it three or four times a week, and it’s become part of my routine. It helps me completely switch off after a busy day and it’s where I seem to do a lot of my clearest thinking. Some of the ideas and decisions that have come from being in the sauna have easily repaid the cost of it 10 times over.

Reflecting on his purchases, Keogh considers a home sauna to be his best value investment. He uses it frequently for relaxation and mental clarity, stating that the ideas generated in the sauna have easily repaid its cost multiple times over. While he acknowledges regretting some impulsive purchases from his twenties, he views these as learning experiences that have shaped his current financial perspective. He invests in shares but avoids short-term trading and cryptocurrency, focusing instead on long-term value.

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When you’re young, it’s easy to make impulsive purchases, but that’s part of learning. In my twenties, I definitely bought things that didn’t really serve a purpose or improve my life in any meaningful way. Looking back, I’d call those regrets, but they have a value of their own, and they’ve shaped how I think about spending money today.