Me & My Money Sara Mitchell, Poulet Bonne Femme

Are you a saver or a spender?
I am a spender at heart, although since having children I recognise the benefits of saving, so maybe that's changing.

Do you shop around for better value?
I believe in quality. I think that is the best value for money. There is so much emphasis on cheap food at the moment, but I don't think it necessarily offers good value.

What has been your most extravagant purchase and how much did it cost?
Before my wedding, I went on a spending spree in Costume and came home with a few extra dresses for my "trousseau". I put it all on my credit card but it was worth every penny as I still wear most of them.

What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money?
My car, a Volvo v50. It's the most amount of money I've ever spent but I adore it and I am in it all the time driving between our outlets in Monkstown, Rathcoole and Suffolk Street. It's like a mobile office.

Have you ever crossed the Border to shop?
I have never been across the Border to shop. I shop local and support local jobs.

Do you haggle over prices?
I don't, but I have been with people who do and I am always a bit jealous of the discount. I might have to swallow my pride and start.

Has the recession changed your spending habits?
Yes, definitely. I think about everything I buy now and I never did that before.

Do you invest in shares?
No. I made that mistake once before and learnt my lesson.

Cash or card?
Card – but I would like to use cash more. I think it's a much healthier way to manage what you are spending. With a card, you never really remember what you have bought over a week.

What was the last thing you bought and was it good value for money?
I recently invested in a new outfit for meetings. For me, as a busy working mum, it is important to know I have classic, reliable clothes in my wardrobe that can be used time and time again.

Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase?
Not yet.

Have you ever lost money?
Does negative equity count?

Are you a gambler and if so have you ever had a big win?
No.

Is money important to you?
I don't believe that it makes you happy but it makes life easier if you have some disposable income. When we started Poulet Bonne Femme, every penny we had went into it and we had nothing left. That is hard.

How much money do you have on you now?
Not a penny. Just my card!

In conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea