HELEN CURRANWeather presenter

Are you a saver or a spender?

I would love to say I’m a saver, but unfortunately I’m a spender.

Do you shop around for better value?

I always shop around, especially for nappies/formula/beer and I do the triple store shop to try and get the best value between them.

What has been your most extravagant purchase ever?

My car, but in smaller items the Oakley shades I bought in Florida a few years ago. They cost $300 and were stolen last year. Now I have two pairs of €3 Pennys shades.

What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money?

All my clothes that I bought in Pennys. Amazing value and so on-trend.

Have you ever crossed the Border to shop?

Yes, my dad drinks a dark rum that you can only get in Northern Ireland or in Britain so I bring him up to Banbridge to get it. He could go for free on the train, but it’s like a road trip for us, a chance for us to have a nice day together. Now and again, I’ll pick up something that’s cheaper, but generally there isn’t a huge difference anymore. The one thing that’s much cheaper is over-the-counter medicines, such as Calpol, Nurofen, etc.

Do you haggle over prices?

If I’m in a situation where I can haggle, I always will try and get the best value I can.

Has the recession changed your spending habits?

Yes, although I’m not a huge spender I have definitely cut back on buying clothes, going out for dinner, etc, but it’s more the two children in the creche that has changed my spending habits.

Do you invest in shares?

No, I never have, although I sometimes wish I had, but, as my mother says, “hindsight is a wonderful thing”.

Cash or card?

Always card – I hardly ever have cash. I don’t like having change on me as the temptation to go to the vending machine in work is too much.

What was the last thing you bought and was it good value for money?

I just bought some St Patrick’s Day accessories for my nieces and nephew in the US in Dunnes and it was great value for money as they’ll be thrilled and I think the total was €13.50 for nine items.

Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase?

My husband Steve and I saved for the deposit on our first house and as I said already, my car.

Have you ever lost money?

We have lost a lot of money on our house in Wicklow and I lost the €1 I had in my tracksuit bottoms that I put in the wash yesterday.

Are you a gambler and if so have you ever had a big win?

Does donkey derby in Star Amusements in Bray count as being a gambler? I did play the slot machine there about 12 years ago and I put in £1 and hit the jackpot and ended up with £110! Vegas here I come.

Is money important to you?

Well, it would help to have money because life would be comfortable, but I have my health and my family and when you get a health scare, money seems so unimportant. We are lucky to have our jobs and we get by. We try to do as many things as possible with the kids that don’t cost money, but it’s very hard in this country when it’s raining. Everything seems to cost money.

Best money saving tip you’ve ever heard?

Let your dad get it.

How much money do you have on you now?

A €10 note which I don’t want to break as I’m in work until midnight and if I had change on me, I’d be down at the vending machine.