Your Money

"I'm not going to try and haggle in BTs, although I'd like to!"

ME AND MY MONEY: ANNA DALY, of Ireland AM and co-presenter of the National Lottery on TV3

Mon Jan 10 2011 - 00:00

ME AND MY MONEY:ANNA DALY, of Ireland AM and co-presenter of the National Lottery on TV3

Are you a saver or a spender?A spender. I'm aspiring to be a saver, though. Someday I'll start being sensible with money!

Do you shop around for better value?For everyday items I don't, I just buy for convenience wherever I am. I would quite often shop around for good value when it comes to higher priced items, though. It's all part of the fun, isn't it?

What has been your most extravagant purchase ever and how much did it cost?My Jenny Packham wedding dress is the purchase that jumps to mind. It would be terribly rude to mention the cost, though.

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What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money?A gorgeous navy Tommy Hilfiger Runway dress – it's a classic piece from this season's collection that I'm sure to get great wear out of.

Have you ever crossed the Border to shop?I think it's important to support our local businesses here in the Republic, especially given that their rents, rates, minimum wage, etc, is all much higher than their counterparts up north. In most cases, if they were to try and compete with the competition up north they'd go out of business. I do appreciate there are families who can't afford not to travel up for the cheaper shopping, though. Overall I feel if you can afford it, let's try to keep the business local.

Do you haggle over prices?It depends on where I am. I'm not going to try in BTs, athough I'd like to! But I will if buying jewellery or a high priced item. I do enjoy the experience of haggling in the markets on holidays – you walk away feeling like you got a bargain.

Has the recession changed your spending habits?Yes, I don't buy flippantly any more. My purchases are much more considered.

Do you invest in shares?No, and in the current climate that's probably a good thing.

Cash or card?Card. I rarely have much cash on me.

What was the last thing you bought and was it good value for money?A skinny latte and the newspaper in my local shop. Considering the mark up on coffee is about 500 per cent it definitely wasn't good value at all but I'll continue to do it all the same!

Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase?Yes, I had great motivation when saving for the deposit on my house. Time will tell whether it was a good investment or not, though.

Have you ever lost money?Nothing springs to mind, so obviously no major loss.

Are you a gambler and, if so, have you ever had a big win?I enjoy the odd punt and on big race days I'll always have a few bob on a horse. It makes the races a lot more interesting. I've had plenty of "nice wins" but nothing that ever changed my life.

Is money important to you?It is important but I recognise there are much more important things in life, such as health, happiness, family, friends, and so on.

How much money do you have on you now?About 20 quid.

In conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea