Are you a saver or a spender?
What happens is that I try and save a little bit whenever I can, but it's 'eaten up' when unexpected bills arrive, or when I have irregular expenses.
Do you shop around for better value?
It depends on the purchase, but generally I try and go to where the best value is. I rarely spend big sums at one go if I can avoid it. If there's better value on offer, then why not go for it?!
What has been your most extravagant purchase and how much did it cost?
Without doubt, my house. I bought a house for €280,000 and it plummeted in value.
What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money?
I'll give you a simple example from the recent past – cheap but effective. I bought a football for my two-year-old and have taught him names of footballers from the 1970s and 1980s like Matt Connor, Bomber Liston and Micky Kearins. It's funny to hear him. It gives him (and me) great joy.
How do you prefer to shop – online or local?
I don't shop much online at all – maybe the odd book here and there. I generally think people who work in shops can give great advice, if need be, when you're looking for an item. Online, you could trawl through pages and pages of reviews and sometimes be none the wiser.
Do you haggle over prices?
No – I haggle enough with politicians on radio programmes!
Has the recession changed your spending habits?
I was never an extravagant spender anyway, but yes. How could you not be more conscious of what you have left to spend when cuts are the order of the day?
Do you invest in shares?
No, but I hear on those ads their value can go up as well as down!
Cash or card?
Both, but a debit card is very handy (too handy) and I'm bad at keeping an eye on bank charges that result from using it. I don't have a credit card, thank God.
What was the last thing you bought and was it good value for money?
A cup of tea and a scone. In the short term, it was great value as I enjoyed it. In the long term, we'll see. How bad is a scone for your ticker?
Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase?
Usually, for a big purchase (like a car), I have to get a loan. I hate them, I hate things hanging over me monthly, but sometimes there's no other way.
Have you ever lost money?
See question three.
Are you a gambler and if so have you ever had a big win?
No, I'm not a gambler. I don't think I could get addicted to gambling, but I know how big a problem it can be and I don't really want to find out.
Is money important to you?
Generally not, but you obviously need money to live. Wouldn't it be great to come from old aristocratic or industrial wealth and not have to worry about money – or would it?
How much money do you have on you now?
After my tea and scone, I've €4.60 left. Cupán tae eile?!
In conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea
