Me & My Money:

Are you a saver or a spender?
I'm definitely a saver. It sounds so un-cool. I'd love to be flash and boast of an extravagant lifestyle, but I work in the arts. I'm always aware that even if I'm earning now, I may not be in another month or two, so I always try to squirrel some money away. Even if it's not a lot, it all helps.

Do you shop around for better value?
Yes. I bought a camera this Christmas and saved €100 by shopping around. My advice is do it. Always.

What has been your most extravagant purchase and how much did it cost?
My car – it was €4,000! I'm not exactly living large here, am I?

What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money?
My laptop. I spent more money on it than I should have at the time, but it has served me well for the last seven years and it owes me nothing.

What ways do you prefer to shop – online or local?
I prefer to shop local. My mother has a shop in Kerry. She works incredibly hard and I always think of her, and others like her, when I'm shopping.

Do you haggle over prices?
Sometimes, although it kind of embarrasses me. Maybe I'm a little too "Irish" for haggling. I have a friend who is amazing at this and it always works for her. She's incredibly charming, and I think that's the key.

Has the recession changed your spending habits?
To be honest, not really. I've never been a spender; I've never really had it to spend. So nothing really changed for me. I've watched it change many of my friends, though. Welcome to my world, girls!

Do you invest in shares?
HAAAAAA!!!!!! No is the answer. I work in the performing arts so that question just flew right over my head!

Cash or card?
Cash mostly. That way I know exactly what I'm spending.

What was the last thing you bought and was it good value for money?
Quite literally, lunch

. It was in the IFI in Temple Bar, and it was very good value.

Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase?
When I was younger I saved up, for what seemed like an age, for my friend's second-hand moped. It was the biggest thing I had ever saved for and bought at the time.

Have you ever lost money?
See above. Never buy a car/moped from a friend. Ever.

Are you a gambler and, if so, have you ever had a big win?
I think gambling is one of the most stupid things ever. I really don't get it.

Is money important to you?
Yes and no. I rarely do anything with money as the main incentive, but I really like it when I have it.

How much money do you have on you?
I have

€35.89. And a Leap card.

Amy Conroy's theatre company HotForTheatre tours two shows this summer: Eternal Rising of the Sun , which opens at Civic Theatre, Tallaght, Co Dublin, April 24th, and I (heart) Alice (heart) I . For full details, see hotfortheatre.com