Are you a saver or a spender? A bit of both. I enjoy spending, but life has taught me that even the smallest amount you put away can make a big difference for a rainy day. My late mother-in-law was a great woman for the Christmas club. Start saving for Christmas in January – that's still a family tradition.

Do you shop around for better value? I usually do. I have to admit that sometimes I'm a bit too much of a value-hunter. I'm ashamed to say it took me longer than most to stop asking myself, "how much would that have been in punts?"

What has been your most extravagant purchase and how much did it cost? Probably our home. I think it was £76,000, which terrified us at the time.

What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money? Our current home. We moved house a lot in our early years, and have been in our current home for over 20 years. It was scary then, but nothing like the challenges faced by anyone trying to buy a home today in Ireland.

How do you prefer to shop – online or local? Online is just so convenient for things such as clothes and books and they are delivered straight to your door. I love local for food shopping, and enjoy a potter around all of our local shops when I have time.

Do you haggle over prices? I wish I had the nerve. I like to trust that I am being charged a fair price and have no problem paying what it's worth when I really want something.

Has the recession changed your spending habits? Absolutely, and it's probably just as well.

Do you invest in shares? When Eircom shares were launched I very kindly raided my children's piggy banks with a view to making them a fortune. They still haven't forgiven me. Enough said.

Cash or card? Debit card as often as possible. Credit card where absolutely necessary.

What was the last thing you bought and was it good value for money? A week in Los Alcázares, Spain with my husband. Priceless.

Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase? I part-funded the cost of my current car with savings, trade-in and credit union loan. That was in 2006, and it's still going strong so I can't complain.

Have you ever lost money? Only when I had my bag stolen, and hopefully not when I finally need to cash in my pension.

Are you a gambler and if so have you ever had a big win? Unfortunately, I know my lotto numbers off by heart and am too scared to give it up. I expect to win any day now.

Is money important to you? As I get older, I realise that your health is your wealth in the first instance. Having money will never guarantee happiness, but it certainly can make life easier and more enjoyable. I grew up in a household where money was very tight, so I think it's fair to say that I have acquired a healthy respect for it.

How much money do you have on you now? €35.

In conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea