Are you a saver or a spender? I'm afraid I am very much a spender unless I have a specific goal to save for. I do have a pension, though, and a couple of secure investments, so I think I rationalise my lack of liquid savings by deferring to these as my rainy-day chest.
Do you shop around for better value? Always. One of my most irritating expressions (because of its frequent use) is "if you don't ask, you don't get" and that ethos of looking for a deal is carried through all my personal and business dealings. There are unscrupulous suppliers out there that remain open because their customers don't compare prices.
What has been your most extravagant purchase and how much did it cost? I don't think there are many people of my generation that can give any other answer than a very, very over-priced second house! It cost €385,000 and is highly unlikely to ever return to positive equity, so it will always be my most extravagant/foolish purchase.
What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money? My gym membership – I go every day and the contribution it makes to my health and wellbeing is priceless. When the water meters eventually kick in, it will also save me the cost of a shower each morning!
How do you prefer to shop – online or local? Local. Whatever way I'm built I think there is no substitute for being able to touch a product, try it/on and then have the joy of handing over the money and walking out with a nice bag full of something nice. I do shop online at times but usually to get something I can't get locally. I also really like the principle of supporting local businesses and employment.
Do you haggle over prices? Yes, but only where appropriate. I wouldn't ask for a discount from a sales assistant in Zara because I know I would be greeted by a curious stare! Whereas buying a car or necklace from a local independent retailer, I would push my luck and ask for a better price. We all know there's a time and a place to haggle.
Has the recession changed your spending habits? Yes. During the boom I had very much a devil-may-care attitude towards spending, I would think nothing of wasting money on expensive consumables. These days, I question every purchasing decision – I've become terribly responsible! Do you invest in shares? No, I don't know enough about the world of stocks and shares and if I don't feel I have a healthy command over something I won't commit. The notion of risk terrifies me, although the risks I take will always be carefully calculated and failure won't be a hurdle that's financially insurmountable.
Cash or card? Card. I'm always that woman searching frantically at the bottom of their handbag for stray coinage to avoid dragging out the credit card to purchase a carton of milk.
What was the last thing you bought and was it good value for money? I bought Maternity Skinny jeans from H&M and they get an outing at least twice a week so at €29.99, yes, they were exceptional value for money.
Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase? I've saved a couple of mortgage deposits and I always buy my car outright to avoid punitive financing costs. When I have a focus, something with a defined value and period of time in which to achieve a certain sum, I will do it.
Have you ever lost money? If you consider negative equity in a property, then yes. Are you a gambler and if so have you ever had a big win? I'm not a gambler. I'm a hedge-better at heart. I do the lotto, though, just to keep the dream alive.
Is money important to you? I have aspirations to achieve a certain standard of living by a certain age. I want to be in a secure financial position that will enable me to take good care of my family, provide opportunities for my children and afford me the option to retire at a reasonably young age. Money is necessary to achieve these goals so I would have to say, yes, money is important to me.
How much money do you have on you now? A few Visa cards, a Mastercard and a debit card so you could say thousands. And 12 cents in my purse. In conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea
