Eimear McBride’s latest novel is The City Changes its Face.
Are you a saver or a spender?
Spender by nature, alas, but I do try ...
What was the first job you received money for, and how much were you paid?
Babysitting for my neighbour as a teenager. I think it was about £2.50 an hour. These were the pre-euro days, and it was cash-in-hand, of course. Naughty.
Do you shop around for better value?
It depends. I do for things like a mattress topper or a toasted sandwich maker. The rest of the time I usually know what I want so I either have to suck it up or do without.
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What has been your most extravagant purchase and how much did it cost?
A Vivienne Westwood dress for a very grand party. I don’t even like parties or expensive dresses, but I couldn’t get out of it. It was about £600. Never before, or since, have I spent so much on a single item of clothing, and it took ages to pay off.
But the joke was on me because the party was outdoors and it tipped down the whole evening. I spent the entire time wearing a manky old anorak, and now I’ll be wearing it for every occasion until it falls into rags. It is a nice dress, though.
What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money?
Probably the toasted sandwich maker. What barbarians humankind must have been before it was invented.
Is there anything you regret spending money on?
There are a few novels I’d like the cash and time back on.
Do you haggle over prices?
I’m good in a souk, but the shop assistants at Tesco are safe.
Do you invest in shares and/or cryptocurrency?
No to both because ... who can be bothered? Also, crypto bros ... Jesus wept.
Do you have a retirement or pension plan?
In a very general way, yes. It works along the lines of “Die before I’m no longer able to earn”. I didn’t say it was a good plan.
What was the last thing you bought, and was it good value for money?
A bottle of Bushmills for my husband at Belfast airport because I was away at a book festival and missed his birthday. I can safely say no £40 has ever been so well spent.
Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase?
No, but I have certainly gone into debt for one. I think I see a theme evolving here.
[ ‘Behavioural economists would have a field day with me’Opens in new window ]
Have you ever lost money?
Well, if time is money, I’ve definitely lost plenty of it answering questionnaires like this. Conversely, I did once find a fiver just after I’d spent my last penny. Happy days.
Are you a gambler and, if so, have you ever had a big win?
I’m not. When I was about 10, I lost all of my hard-saved holiday money in one glorious orgy of spending on the teddy bear machines at a games arcade in Portstewart. After that, my lesson was learned. But I did go home with a LOT of teddies.
What is your best habit when it comes to money? And your worst?
My best habit is enjoying it when I have it. My worst is feeling guilty about having enjoyed it once it’s gone.
How much money do you have on you now?
There’s a tenner in my purse with nothing’s name on it, and for a lot of my life, that would not have been the case. All in all, I’d say I’m winning.
In conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea
