Are you a saver or a spender? Definitely a spender. When every day is a rainy day, there seems little point in saving for one. Although I should probably start.
Do you shop around for better value? Sometimes I think the effort of shopping around doesn't justify the saving I might make. However, as the head of a not-for-profit, community-based organisation, I need to make sure I get the best deals for our money at all times. Our own financial rules demand that we get at least three quotes for everything, from staging for our events to basic supplies, so that ensures we're quite frugal.
What has been your most extravagant purchase and how much did it cost? Probably my Mac. Oh, and my mac. Both cost more than your average laptop and raincoat should, but they're so pretty.
What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money? I bought this amazing suit at an outlet mall – I've had it altered several times and in several different ways. It's become a staple of my wardrobe and always serves me well.
How do you prefer to shop – online or local? It depends on what I'm shopping for. Lately, there seems to be a better selection of everything, and better value to be had, online. But then I do like to support local shops; local booksellers and record stores and the like, whose very existence is being threatened.
Do you haggle over prices? No, I find it really boring! Actually, my boyfriend reckons I'm the easiest person in the world to up-sell to! Offer me something slightly "better" for a higher price and I'll go for it. We went on a gondola ride in Venice a couple of years ago, and the gondolier promised us a "better" one for twice the price, and of course I jumped straight in. Turns out it was just the same ride but with extra talking.
Has the recession changed your spending habits? Not really; I spent so long in college, being frugal, that I got quite used to it. When the recession hit really badly, I was actually gaining some seniority in my career. And I never lived beyond my means, never had a car I couldn't afford or a mortgage I couldn't pay, so I felt comparatively well off.
Do you invest in shares? I don't, but then I always see these great opportunities that I should have invested in. I'm not sure it's really part of many people's culture here in Ireland, whereas when you go to the States, even the taxi drivers are obsessed with monitoring their shares.
Cash or card? I'm finding I'm using my card more and more. It saves queuing at ATMs, and now that everything is contactless, it almost feels like you're not spending anything at all. Great!
What was the last thing you bought and was it good value for money? Last night I booked a train journey for my boyfriend and I, from Barcelona to Malaga, as part of our summer holidays. Compared to the cost of a train ticket from Dublin to, say, Cork, I think it was quite good value. Today I bought a bunch of asparagus in Lidl for €1.49; quite good value, but I'm more excited about our holidays.
Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase? I tend to save up for experiences, like our aforementioned trip to Venice. I once worked at a really miserable job for a really miserable company; the hours were horrible and I had no social life, but the salary was amazing. I found I had saved this vast amount of money without meaning to, so I quit and went on a round-the-world trip!
Have you ever lost money? I can't think of a time when I've lost a substantial amount, but I do love that feeling when you put on a jacket or something that you haven't worn in a while, and find an unexpected tenner in the pocket.
Are you a gambler and if so have you ever had a big win? I'm not a gambler at all.
Is money important to you? Of course it is, but I've come to realise that there are much more important things in life. Once I have enough money to enable me to do the things I want to do, then I'm happy. My parents and siblings have been very supportive of me all my life, so I'd like to be able to return the favour to them whenever possible.
How much money do you have on you now? I've actually only got one euro on me right now – I'm going to the gym after this and I need it for the locker!
In conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea
