Me & My Money: Laura Kelly, manager, Kelly’s Resort Hotel

Are you a saver or a spender? I like to live life to the full, and that includes spending my hard-earned money. I keep telling myself that this year will be the one I turn myself into a saver, but it is now past April and I regret to say I still haven't started. . . Perhaps next month!

Do you shop around for better value? In business I always shop around and make sure to get the best value possible. When I speak of value I refer to the correlation between price and quality. I am always prepared to pay a little more to ensure I get a higher-quality product or service.

What has been your most extravagant purchase and how much did it cost? My most extravagant purchase took place recently. I treated myself to a beautiful pair of Louboutin shoes. I love them but I have to admit I do feel a bit guilty about spending that much on a pair of shoes.

What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money? The purchase of my house was (or should I say hopefully will be) good value for money. I was keen to get on the property ladder and am convinced I will benefit financially from this investment in the long term.

How do you prefer to shop – online or local? Definitely local, as I believe it is very important to support local businesses. This applies both on a personal and business level. Over the years, Kelly's Resort Hotel has established many loyal and long-standing relationships with Wexford suppliers and businesses. We are always prepared to pay more for high-quality, local produce.

Do you haggle over prices? My father is constantly giving out to me for not haggling. He is a pro at it, so I had better pay more attention.

Has the recession changed your spending habits? During the recessionary years I was studying hotel management in Switzerland and gaining work experience abroad. It wasn't so much the recession, but more working on an intern's salary, which forced me to watch my spending habits.

Do you invest in shares? I have not yet invested any money in shares. I like to keep an eye on the stock markets and, should the right opportunity arise, I would consider it.

Cash or card? Mostly card. Cash seems to disappear too quickly!

What was the last thing you bought and was it good value for money? I bought a pair of Asics Kayano runners for the Connemara half marathon a while back. I made it over the finish line, so I guess I would consider them good value for money.

Have you ever saved up for a relatively big purchase? When I moved home to Ireland last year my first considerable purchase was my car. I am always on the move, so I would have gone crazy without it.

Have you ever lost money? Nothing substantial, and I hope it continues that way.

Are you a gambler? No, I am not, and I don't think I would know what to do if I ever walked into a bookies.

Is money important to you? It is important for me to be financially secure, but I am not motivated by it. What drives me is my ambition for Kelly's to be the best four-star resort hotel in the country. In conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea