Me and my money: ‘I shop with longevity in mind… and I always love to support small businesses’

A bit of both. I set aside money each month for big purchases, such as holidays, furniture or home improvements. It means that when the time comes to part with my money, it is not a huge shock to the system. That being said, life is for living and my mum always says that “you can’t take it with you”, so I do splurge spontaneously every so often.

​How much is in your wallet?

I use Apple Pay for everything I buy, so I don’t always carry a wallet. I do try to keep a £20 note in my car glove box, or phone case, for emergencies.

​Do you adhere to a budget?

All of my bills leave my current account shortly after payday. Following payment of my direct debits, I loosely adhere to a budget for the rest of the month. I have always wanted to try a “no spend” challenge for a week or a month, and commit to not spending money on any non-necessities. I haven’t managed to do it yet, but I think the outcome of such a challenge would be really interesting.

​Do you have any loyalty cards?

Aside from the usual supermarket loyalty cards, my most used loyalty card is for my monthly nail appointment.

​Cash or card: what’s your preference?

While I always hear that “cash is king”, my preference is definitely card, and especially Apple Pay.

​What’s the best deal you’ve ever got?

Outside of my career in law, I am quite creative and artistic. I love searching for second-hand furniture to upcycle. My house is definitely a mixture of vintage and modern, so I get a real kick out of giving pre-loved furniture a new home. My last great deal was a beautiful, solid oak coffee table, which I picked up in a local charity shop for just £15. After some TLC, it fits my lounge space perfectly.

​What’s the most important financial lesson you’ve learned?

Where possible, I try to shop with longevity in mind. I spend a long time researching and trying to source timeless and durable pieces, which can be more expensive, but are much more sustainable in the long run than cheaper, or “it’ll do for now”, items, which don’t tend to last. Sometimes, buying cheap means having to replace items over and over again, but you only need to pay for a good quality item once. The environmental and social implications are also huge, and I always love to support small businesses by shopping locally.

​What’s the most expensive thing you’ve bought?

My 1960s home has definitely been the most expensive thing I’ve bought. Older homes usually require some renovations and improvements, but it has allowed me to design my home to my taste. Aside from that, the most expensive thing I have bought was a recent bathroom renovation, which was worth every penny.

​If money was no object, I’d buy…

A small, cosy holiday home in Donegal — in the middle of nowhere but also close to a pub/restaurant, because I am a huge foodie. I always thought I would like the idea of a holiday home abroad, but it would be lovely to just jump into the car on a Friday afternoon after work, to head somewhere peaceful and quiet for the weekend.