Food writer Lilly Higgins is a brand ambassador for the Innocent Big Knit 2023, in partnership with Age Action Ireland, Ireland’s leading advocacy organisation for older people and ageing.
Are you a saver or a spender?
I’m a spender. I work freelance and create content for different brands, develop recipes, videos and photos, so I often get paid in lump sums sporadically. Then I usually build up a list of what I want to buy so it’s almost like saving in a way.
Do you shop around for better value?
I don’t really. I mostly spend money on food and value quality rather than anything else. A low price means the producer is getting paid poorly and that’s not sustainable for anyone.
What has been your most extravagant purchase and how much did it cost?
For Christmas, I got a Pilates reformer machine. I think it was about €2,000, which was a very big spend. I was building up to it, though. I really do love Pilates and have been doing it for five years now.
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What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money?
I bought two matching gold vintage-style two-seater and three-seater couches in our local St Vincent de Paul shop a few years back. They were really well made and so comfortable. They cost about €300, which I was happy to pay because all that money goes to the charity. I’ve since given them to one of my friends; they’re beautiful in her house.
How did you prefer to shop during the Covid-19 restrictions – online or local?
For basic shopping like groceries I either go to my local SuperValu or Lidl, or I shop online with Dunnes. I find the online shop gives me more time to tick off what I need on my list and makes me a more mindful shopper. For the past six months, I’ve been getting a weekly fruit and vegetable delivery from Green Earth Organics in Galway. I order online, which has been a total game-changer and means we always have great veg in the house.
Do you haggle over prices?
Only in an auction house environment with furniture.
How has the Covid-19 crisis changed your spending habits?
I tend to do fewer small food shops, which is a good thing. Pre-Covid I would have popped into a supermarket every second day. Now it’s once or twice a week maximum. Another thing that’s changed since the pandemic is that charities have found it difficult to fundraise for their causes.
Do you invest in shares?
No.
Cash or card?
I just tap everything with my phone.
What was the last thing you bought and was it good value for money?
I buy lots of books, mostly cookbooks.
Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase?
I bought a fantastic extendable dinner table and eight chairs in Casey’s Furniture about five years ago. It was a big spend for me at the time and I bought it after completing a project. We use it every day, though, as it’s so versatile. It has two leaves that extend it, so we’ve had up to 18 people for dinner, which is great to be able to do as I love cooking for a crowd.
Have you ever lost money?
Yes. About seven years ago, I started a food business making raw food bars made from dates, nuts and so on. I was on to something great but there were bigger companies making similar, so it would have been a struggle to keep investing. I had to cut my losses, but I took it as a life lesson.
Are you a gambler and, if so, have you ever had a big win?
I’m not, so no.
Is money important to you?
Since I’ve had my three kids, it has become more important to me as I’m aware we need to provide for them. I think of money as something we need in order to get to the more important things in life. I’m quite relaxed about money, though, and I’m not a big consumer, so that helps. If I have it, I share it and if I don’t have it I know I’ll make some more soon.
How much money do you have on you now?
Twenty cents. I never have cash on me.
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In conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea
