A former hedge fund administrator, Hazel Burton is now a professional home organiser. She will be at the PTSB Ideal Home Show which takes place at RDS Simmonscourt, Dublin, from Friday, April 24th, until Sunday, April 26th, and will be at the DFS Interiors Theatre on the Friday.
Are you a saver or a spender?
I am good at saving when there is a goal in sight, but I also love to enjoy my free time, so don’t get buyer’s remorse at all. My mam and dad are great savers and really encouraged us to do the same. We had post office accounts, credit union accounts, and the idea of saving for a rainy day was always encouraged.
What was the first job you received money for, and how much were you paid?
RM Block
I wanted a pair of Levi’s when I was 14, but my mum said if I wanted to spend that much on jeans (£50 – €57.37 – at the time) then I would need to get a summer job. I walked into my local pub, told them I was 16 and asked if I could have a job. We were paid £8 per shift, which was 8pm-2am. Tip-wise, if you got a tenner you were doing well. I hated the job and left once I had enough for new clothes. I was proud that I had worked for what I wanted and was able to buy them for myself.
Do you shop around for better value?
It depends on what it is. I would never go with the cheapest option.
What has been your most extravagant purchase, and how much did it cost?
I would say my Louis Vuitton bag, which cost €2,000. I am dreading my dad reading this; he will be horrified. I use it a lot, so the price-per-wear for its lifetime should be okay. I’m sure my daughter will love it when she’s older. My handbag collection is her inheritance!
What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money?
My kitchen. I love my kitchen and how I have a place for everything. It was the first time I really designed a space, and I had the designer’s head wrecked with my constant emails and tweaks. I went down to the most minute details, even down to where I would store my cling film. It is 100 per cent the heart of our home.
Is there anything you regret spending money on?
I regret the money I wasted over the years on fast-fashion, trend buying and buying a new outfit for every Saturday night. Being a solo entrepreneur means I can’t afford to regret my purchases now.
Do you haggle over prices?
No, never. I have PTSD from my dad trying to haggle over Algarve T-shirts for the whole family in 1994. He thought that by walking away, we’d get the price he was willing to pay. In fact, we just paid what the market seller asked for in the first place, so the second-hand embarrassment at having to walk back with our tails between our legs has never left me.
Do you invest in shares and/or cryptocurrency?
I just don’t understand crypto. Maybe it just has a bad rep but, right now, as I build up my business, there just aren’t any extras to invest.
Do you have a retirement or pension plan?
Yes, I have a pension from my previous career in hedge fund admin, but I wouldn’t say I have a full handle on what is happening with it now that I’m a business owner.
What was the last thing you bought, and was it good value for money?
The last thing I did was pay for flights for our summer holidays. Considering the fuel crisis, the price for four of us in July wasn’t as bad as I had expected.
[ Stephen Brennan: ‘I have never successfully saved for anything’Opens in new window ]
Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase?
Our house, and we overpaid for it, too! We worked and saved so hard for years while renting in order to save for the deposit. Nine years later, I am so proud of our home and feel so lucky that we were able to buy where we did and when we did. I’ll never move again. The stress of the bidding process nearly finished me off.
Have you ever lost money?
Never, not even keys or a phone, even on our most hectic Saturday nights out. My nickname with my pals is Sturdy, which sounds very boring, but it has definitely saved pain, heartache and money over the years.
Are you a gambler and, if so, have you ever had a big win?
I am the most risk-averse person. We went to Las Vegas on our honeymoon and I think $5 was the most I bet while we were there. I bet at Cheltenham one year and won every race, but at €2 each way for each race, my winnings were about €60 total. That said, I was delighted.
What is your best habit when it comes to money? And your worst?
My best habit is that I can save when I have a goal in mind. My worst is that I can be impulsive and not shop around. For someone so organised, I don’t tend to switch energy providers regularly, which I know I should. I’m dreading my dad reading this. He won’t be happy with me at all!
How much money do you have on you now?
The only cash in my wallet is an old 50p coin. We found it in a client’s house, and the year on it (1998) was the year I met my husband, so my client said I needed to keep it for luck. I’m quite sentimental, so I’ll hang on to it.
In conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea
