ME MY MONEY: Valerie FrancisMusician and Choice Award nominee

1. Saver or spender?

Spender. I’d like to be a saver but it’s not in my nature. Money is pretty fluid with me. I have saved in the past but always for something in particular. Not just to put money by.

2. Do you shop around for better value?

It depends. Not for beans, just say. But if I’m spending a good bit of money on something, then yes. When I was buying my harmonium I researched and found it was cheapest in New York. They didn’t have the one I wanted when I was there so I waited and found the same one later in London for a similar price.

3. What has been your most extravagant purchase and how much did it cost?

Aside from instruments or computers I think it must be travel. I spent €1,400 on a ticket to Buenos Aires once and stayed in Argentina for a month. I have splurged on travel in the past. I don’t regret it at all. I got out of my kayak and swam in a bioluminescent lake at midnight on St Patrick’s Day in the Caribbean. Fish were lit up in the water. I own that memory.

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

Either my Baby Taylor or Little Martin guitar. People are always surprised at how little they cost. Each about €200.

5. Have you ever crossed the Border to shop?

No. I don’t have a car. I imagine it would be on my radar if I did.

6. Do you haggle over prices?

The only time I’ve ever haggled was when I bought my autoharp. I found it in a little music shop in Rathmines where the owner was pretending to be a customer. He was near fighting me for it. I told him ‘oh, you can have it’. I was at the counter then buying strings and the guy behind asked me how much I’d give him for it. I told him €40. He said €60. We agreed on €50.

7. Has the recession changed your spending habits?

Absolutely. I suppose, like everyone else now, I have to work harder and longer for the same money I used to make. My money is worth more to me now than when I had more. I only want to spend it on things that I love and that give me something back.

8. Do you invest in shares?

Ha! That would be a no.

9. Cash or card?

Cash.

10. How much money do you have on you now?

€140

In conversation with Fiona McCann. Dublin singer Valerie Francis has been shortlisted for the Choice Music Prize, the winner of which will be announced on Wednesday.