‘Haggling is a pet peeeve of mine’

Are you a saver or a spender?
A bit of both. The first thing I do with my pay cheque is pay all my bills and put savings aside, then I splurge away on anything I like. I am definitely a shopaholic and am constantly online, but I like to think of it as "research".

Do you shop around for better value?
Not really. Customer service and quality are really important to me, and I believe that to get these, you need to pay the right price.

What has been your most extravagant purchase and how much did it cost?
Apart from a car, my biggest buy was a pair of Anine Bing boots last year. We had had a tough year, what with our wedding being cancelled and being stuck in lockdown. I had been eyeing up a certain pair of boots for a year, so decided to mark 2020 with a pair of boots I will always love. They were €700 and my husband kindly helped me with the cost as part of my Christmas present.

What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money?
Our coffee machine. We have a newborn baby, and it has never worked so hard!

Stocktake: Have stock markets bottomed?

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Is pension auto-enrolment happening at all?

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Share your views: Should the State pension age rise?

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How did you prefer to shop during the Covid-19 restrictions – online or local?
Local always. We have some incredible Irish brands, especially in the beauty industry, so there is no reason to shop anywhere else.

Do you haggle over prices?
No, haggling is a pet peeve of mine. I feel people think it is okay to haggle with small start-up brands that really need the money – their profits are going towards putting their kids through schools, not their third summer home. We need to support small brands and not look to take any profits away. It is so important to understand the worth of the product you are buying and also the time that has been put into designing, making, marketing and packaging it.

How has the Covid-19 crisis changed your spending habits?
I don't think it has changed my habits drastically, but I am probably a more conscious shopper in how I support Irish more than I previously did.

Do you invest in shares?
No, I would not know where to start but, down the line, I would love to invest in some businesses and be a part of their growth.

Cash or card?
Card always!

What was the last thing you bought and was it good value for money?
We are about to expand our brand with a new product area that I am self-funding, and this week I paid for our first round of sampling. It is a huge investment for the business that I am extremely excited and nervous about, but it was worth every penny as, once it has launched, I cannot wait to see where we are this time next year.

Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase?
Yes, I always spent my college summers travelling. I would work for the year between being a weekend receptionist, a babysitter and doing promotions so that I had my money saved for my summers abroad. It was the best achievement when we finally set off travelling, I would enjoy spending every penny I had worked hard to earn. I would then come back broke and start the process again. I have such fond memories of those summers because I worked hard to earn every penny.

Have you ever lost money?
Not that I can remember.

Are you a gambler and, if so, have you ever had a big win?
No, I like to take risks in business but only if it is calculated with a good chance of winning

Is money important to you?
Yes, I get stressed if I can't pay a bill or don't know where my next pay cheque is coming from. It has always been important for me to have savings as a back-up, but I try very hard not to dip into them. My goal is to have enough money to be comfortable and give my children a good life. For me, that is the most important part of life and money.

How much money do you have on you now?
None. I only carry my card.

In conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea