ME & MY MONEY:Fiona McHugh/Fallon & Byrne

Are you a saver or a spender?Definitely a spender.

Do you shop around for better value?No. I should but I don't.

What has been your most extravagant purchase ever and how much did it cost?Setting up Fallon & Byrne. While it wasn't a purchase, it was definitely my most extravagant use of money. We threw everything we had at it – including money from the sale of Paul's house – without really thinking about the risk involved. We ran dry several weeks before we were due to open. My sister's car savings got us over the finishing line. On a smaller scale, I spent £150 (€190) in 1985 on a Katherine Hamnett hot-pants cat-suit to wear to the Trinity Ball which was the equivalent of about three week's part-time wages at Judge Roy Beans. They were worth every penny.

What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money?I bought my house at auction about 15 years ago for £246,000 (€312,420) having viewed it two days before and without doing a survey. (Don't try this trick at home). I didn't think I was going to get it and didn't have a cheque book on me at the time so my father's solicitor and lifelong friend ran around the corner with his. Most people though it was a crazy amount of money but I got lucky. It's a beautiful, happy house.

Have you ever crossed the Border to shop?No. I've bought things in Northern Ireland but can't pretend I set out on a bargain-hunting expedition.

Do you haggle over prices?No. I leave that to my expert dad.

Has the recession changed your spending habits?Yes. We've cut our discretionary spending.

Do you invest in shares?I have purchased and sold shares in the past but "investing" would be overstating it.

What was the last thing you bought and was it good value for money?I bought a frock in Carousel on Exchequer St. It was beautiful and great value – a win-win as they say in Cat in the Hat. Maybe I'm getting wise with age.

Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase?No.

Have you ever lost money?Probably, but I don't remember doing so. I've generally been lucky with investments.

Are you a gambler and if so have you ever had a big win?Yes. I guess Fallon & Byrne was a big win. We did it on a wing and a prayer and it's been successful from the start.

Is money important to you?No – in that it has never informed my career decisions or been my motivating force. Yet, I've always been well-paid and understand that that has afforded me comforts. It's easy to say money doesn't matter to you if you don't lie awake worrying about it.

How much money do you have on you now?A fiver, which is good by my standards. Paul or the kids usually soak up any spare cash I have. I'm a bit like the Queen but without the royal retinue.

Fiona McHugh is co-owner of Fallon & Byrne, the food hall, restaurant and wine bar on Exchequer St, Dublin. fallonandbyrne.com. In conversation with CLAIRE O'MAHONY