Me & My Money

Are you a saver or a spender?
I'm more inclined to be a spender than a saver, although right now I'm trying to put money aside to buy a place in London. It isn't easy, though, given that London is such an expensive city in which to get onto the housing ladder.

Do you shop around for better value?
I always shop around. I'm one of those people that retailers hate . . . I see something I want in a shop and I'll always check online before I buy it.

What has been your most extravagant purchase and how much did it cost?
Leaving my pre-crash apartment purchase in Dublin out of the equation, I can't really point to any purchase that I'd say was particularly extravagant. I tend to spend a lot on my holidays. I have had two particularly expensive trips in recent years: a six-week jaunt around Southeast Asia and Australia, and three weeks in Argentina in January of this year .

What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money?
A good pair of well-fitting, dark navy jeans. Suitable for almost any occasion.

What ways do you prefer to shop – online or local?
I'm a big believer in supporting local business. In fact, I've been particularly excited by a great new idea pioneered in the US that's just catching on in the UK: Small Business Saturday. It's a campaign to encourage everyone to frequent a small, local business every Saturday. An inspired idea that it would be great to see catching on in Ireland, too.

Do you haggle over prices?
I've become better at this with age, but I'd have to admit I'm still a bit shy at it. I remember being taken aback by the discounts I was offered, particularly in traditional department stores, when buying furniture for my flat in Dublin. You don't get that in most of the chains.

Has the recession changed your spending habits?
A bit but not a lot, really. It is an interesting phenomenon, that even if you're not personally affected by the recession to any great extent, you almost feel caught up in the renewed sense of frugality. I've had some items of clothing repaired rather than replaced lately.

Do you invest in shares?
No.

Cash or card?
A mixture of both. Card is always handier than cash but there's still part of it that doesn't feel like real money, even if the bill looks very real at the end of the month.

What was the last thing you bought and was it good value for money?
The last big purchase I made was a tablet computer. I'm not massively obsessed with gadgets, but I felt like I was missing out on a new cultural shift.

Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase?
I saved up for my first car when I was 17. But I've always been a borrower rather than a saver.
Have you ever lost money?
There was that apartment I bought in Dublin in 2007, though I guess you could argue I haven't lost the money yet because I haven't sold it. Come back to me in 35 years and I'll let you know how I got on.

Are you a gambler and, if so, have you ever had a big win?
No, not really. I put a few quid on a horse if I go to the races, but that's a rarity. I'll always have a go at a lotto rollover, though.

Is money important to you?
Of course it is. I like nice things and nice experiences. It doesn't buy you happiness, but it's better to have it than not.

How much money do you have on you now?
€60 that I took out of the ATM when I landed in Dublin a few days ago.

In conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea