Are you a saver or a spender? Unfortunately a spender – and no matter how much or how little I have, it's all spent. My 15-year-old daughter Rebecca isn't cheap to run either. I do have money put away for her education, but that's it. As long as Rebecca is looked after – I brought her up on my own, and that's cost me a fair whack – I'm happy enough.
Do you shop around for better value? I hate shopping and I haven't really a clue what anything costs these days, but I do tend to spend a lot on good, healthy food. I have neither the time nor the patience to shop around.
What has been your most extravagant purchase and how much did it cost? I've had a few. I have a bit of a shoe fetish, and this can be a very expensive pastime. As a pure extravagance, my two Maine Coon cats cost €600 each. I love cashmere, especially Lainey Keogh knitwear, and I love silk – all pretty expensive habits. I like to dress well at work in the Audi Club and I usually dress according to the gig that's on, so it's glamour at Andrea Bocelli, jeans for Eric Clapton.
What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money? I always spend whatever money that's needed for Rebecca's education, whether it's sending her to another country during the summer to learn a language, sports equipment or grinds. I consider this money well spent.
How do you prefer to shop: online or local? I think I would lose the run of myself if I got into online shopping – it's bad enough when I'm let loose in a shop. Generally I don't like shopping, but I can do massive damage to my bank account on occasion.
Do you haggle over prices? Yes, especially at work. I love a good haggle with suppliers, etc, but I think it's important to understand that everyone needs to make a buck.
Has the recession changed your spending habits? Not really, as I still have the same expenses and I never really noticed any reductions in any of those. I don't monitor my spending, but as I said, I have a tendency to spend whatever I have. I don't think that we learned enough from the past few years.
Do you invest in shares? No, my only investment is in my daughter in the hope that one day she will fly me to Switzerland for the injection should that be necessary. Or put me in a 5-star home for the bewildered and visit occasionally.
Cash or card? Card for convenience and to try and keep track of expenditure. I use my banking mobile app a lot and find this a great service. I rarely take less than €200 (funds permitting) from cash machines – cash disappears so fast that sometimes I think I have been robbed or lost money. I prefer to fool myself with cards.
What was the last thing you bought and was it good value for money? A gold and peacock lamé tunic dress for €30 and a faux ocelot coat for €180 at a vintage fair. I love them and they are good value for money to me and that's all that matters really.
Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase? Never. I have certainly bought way beyond my means and spent a good while playing payback and catch up.
Have you ever lost money? Once in Mauritius, I won so much playing blackjack that I ended up with a bunch of Chinese seasoned gamblers placing bets on my hands. Naturally I kept going until I lost it all again. I remember my boyfriend at the time pleading with me to quit while I was ahead, but I knew better and lost everything.
Are you a gambler and if so have you ever had a big win? Thankfully, and based on previous experience, I'm not a gambler. I like poker and if I'm at the races, I would place bets. I will only do the Irish Lotto, as I'm afraid of what might happen if I won megamillions on the European one.
Is money important to you? I wouldn't like to be penny- pinching every month. As long as I'm not worried about money, I'm quite happy. I really should think about my future a bit more. I sometimes wonder how long I will be able to sustain the pace at my work, which is pretty full on. Then I see the Eagles and Tina Turner on stage and feel a lot better!
How much money do you have on you now? I have €80 and some coins unless, of course, Rebecca has delved into my purse – but that's okay, too.
In conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea
