ME & MY MONEY:Kirsteen O'Sullivan, TV3 Presenter
Are you a saver or a spender?A bit of both. I spend money on things I enjoy and the people I love. I'm not a penny-pincher. Unfortunately, I also appreciate the art of shopping.
Do you shop around for better value?I am Scottish so that's very much part of my nature. I love a good bargain, whether it's a washing powder or a car. Doesn't everyone? So yes, I look around before I buy.
What has been your most extravagant purchase ever?My iMac was around €2,000 at the time. I use it every day and I'll have it for a long time, so it's not so extravagant when you think about it. I also spend a lot of money on gear for surfing and skiing. It really pays to invest in the best equipment you can afford. My surfboard cost around €600.
What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money?Probably my surfboard. I'm getting lots of mileage out of it.
Have you ever crossed the Border to shop?I used to live in Belfast and do venture up North to visit friends when I can, but I seldom shop there, even when the exchange rate was really in our favour. I think it's important in the times we're in to support our local businesses. For that, I'm happy to pay a little more.
Do you haggle over prices?Badly! I tried to haggle over a rug in Morocco recently and I was a disaster. I couldn't stop smiling nervously and just couldn't master that poker face.
Has the recession changed your spending habits?I was never a huge fan of designer labels or flashy parties and I've never really spent that much on superfluous items anyway. So I actually don't think my lifestyle has changed all that much, quite honestly.
Do you invest in shares?I'm thinking about it but it's not something I'll just jump into. I do think it's a good idea to take risks, but they must be calculated.
Cash or card?Card. The less cash I have on me the less I'll spend. At least that's the idea.
What was the last thing you bought and was it good value for money?A set of free weights and a yoga mat to work out at home. If I use them as much as I plan to then this will have been a very wise purchase indeed.
Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase?Driving lessons and my first car. I took an intensive course and passed my test, from start to finish, within a fortnight. I then drove my newly purchased motor from Scotland back to Belfast. I'm very proud of that achievement.
Is money important to you?Obviously everyone wants to be in a position where they can forget about the mortgage and buy whatever they want. That's nice but it's not the key to our happiness. A fixation with material possessions is so unhealthy and while money is important in order to live, I'm confident that regardless of my bank balance I'll never lose sense of what's really important: my health, my friends and my family.
How much money do you have on you now?Around a tenner.
Kirsteen O’Sullivan presents TV3’s motoring show
Xccelerate
. In conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea
