“I’m saving most of my $100,000 prize money from the World Cup to buy a house”

Boxer Lisa O’Rourke shot to national fame last year after securing a gold medal at the 2022 World Championships in Istanbul, following in the footsteps of Katie Taylor, Michael Conlan and Kellie Harrington.

Last month, the 20-year-old native of Roscommon was awarded the freedom of Roscommon alongside her older sister Aoife, who represented Ireland at the Tokyo Olympics and has won two European gold medals.

O’Rourke, who has her sights set on the Paris 2024 Olympics and won $100,000 in prize money at the World Cup, participates in Smart Money Habits, a financial welfare program run by LIA, the center of excellence for education and development by financial professionals and the Sport Ireland Institute have begun supplying to Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

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What did you do with your $100,000 windfall?

I enjoyed a small chunk of the money by buying a new phone, workout gear, and gear. I save the rest to help me buy my first home in the years to come. I hope to be financially stable and not have to take out a mortgage.

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What was your very first job?

When I was 17, I spent the summer after my transition year with a company called Color Communications in Castlerea. I worked on the line manufacturing products to ensure accurate colors within paints.

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Are you affected by the current rise in inflation and energy prices?

Yes. I feel like inflation has hit everyone in some way, but I’m lucky enough to be able to live at home with my family. It has helped me a lot to keep saving for my future.

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What was the most expensive place you have ever visited?

When I went to Venice I found it very expensive for basic things like a bottle of water and a sandwich.

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What did you learn about money growing up?

That it doesn’t grow on trees and that anything you want you have to work hard for.

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What’s the most expensive thing you’ve ever bought?

The iPhone 14 Pro I bought after winning the World Cup.

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Do you still carry cash?

Not as much as before Covid.

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Do you use one of the digital banks?

I use my bank cards on my phone and I mostly use Apple Pay as it’s fast and time-saving. I also use Revolut abroad to avoid my main bank card being blocked.

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What was your biggest financial mistake?

My mom and the postman told me I was addicted to online shopping – it’s too easy to access from anywhere in the world.

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Are you a donor or a saver?

I give 110 per cent but I’ve improved recently thanks to the advice of Niall O’Donoghue, one of the Sport Ireland Institute’s Life Skills Advisors. He encouraged me to open a savings account and add contributions weekly and not spend money on unnecessary products.

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What was your biggest career mistake?

I wouldn’t say I made big mistakes, but I learned a lot from previous losses in my sport. Losing the final at the European Youth Championships really motivated me to train harder and have even more hunger to win, but it also taught me that you have to be a better loser than a winner.

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What was your best financial murder?

My communion money. My family was very generous to me and I took the money for granted.

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What three things could you not do without if you had to tighten your belt?

My car, my phone and my gym membership.

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