Me & My Money: Margaret Burke

Are you a saver or a spender? The natural default is spender; however, I have some squirrel traits! When needs must, I am wise, but spending is much more fun.

Do you shop around for better value? It depends. With weekly items like groceries I'm price-conscious and shop around. It wouldn't be unusual for me to visit up to three supermarkets some weeks. I pay attention to the multiples' weekly advertising, which regularly influences the week's menu. I've been checking around with utilities and mortgages – however, the devil in the detail didn't yield better value.

What has been your most extravagant purchase and how much did it cost? My most extravagant purchase was an urban renewal one-bed city centre apartment which cost €51,000 some years ago. The most luxurious extravagance was a Monart-inspired spa-style bathroom complete with sound and bespoke lighting.

What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money? Home. Originally my parents' house, it's a Dermot Bannon Room to Improve masterpiece. I still thank his talented vision and my lucky stars to live in such a fabulous home. Thank you Dermot!

Do you haggle over prices? Yes, I'll generally ask for a discount, especially if I'm buying more than one item. It makes the whole shopping experience more enjoyable. If you don't ask, you surely won't get. How do you prefer to shop – online or local? Online purchases are mostly practical items like books, gadgets, gifts, bookings, and deal offers like meals. Otherwise, online is for browsing, and then it's off to the shops to check it out. Screen shopping is the preliminary research.

Has the recession changed your spending habits? Absolutely. The biggest shift is giving thought to value rather than price, shopping around, not purchasing immediately, and being conscious of the impact of that spend.

For example, recently I deliberately switched some grocery items to the SuperValu Food Academy Producer range. It’s a fantastic way to support a big business working with and nurturing small businesses from start up to the supermarket shelf. That’s effective job creation.

Do you invest in shares? I did in years gone by – I should have learned when to sell them, too.

Cash or card? At one stage I had four credit cards, then eventually one with Danske Bank. When they pulled out of the domestic Irish market I simply didn't get another one. Now it's debit card or cash.

What was the last thing you bought and was it good value for money? More fabulous shoes. Always good value for money.

Have your ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase? Yes, I used the government savings scheme to buy a car.

Have you ever lost money? Ouch – those shares again.

Are you a gambler and if so, have you ever had a big win? This will be my second year at the Galway races, but the wins – like the bets – will be small.

Is money important to you? Yes, money enables you to do many things, but it's not the be-all and end-all. Ask any person not in good health or who has lost someone they love – some of life's most important things money just can't buy.

How much money do you have on you now? The grand total of €79.95, along with the debit card.

In conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea