What was your first pay cheque? £30 for gang-mowing during the summer holidays while at university. What did you spend it on? Water skis (wooden!) Dining out or entertaining at home? Enjoy both hugely but 'you know who' may not be in total agreement with such a carefree view. Most expensive thing ever bought? Our home. Best bargain ever had? Clingfilm from Lakeland, which may seem more expensive but happily it does not drive you mad because it tears off properly every time. A real stress breaker when you have been encouraged to provide some assistance in the kitchen. One luxury you're going without during the credit crunch? A foreign family holiday which 'you know who' has been strangely itchy about (possibly due to my golfing holiday?) but harmony has now been restored as she has just been invited to play tennis in Portugal. Best money saving tip? Keeping a keen eye on your children's credit card statements. One thing you shouldn't buy but always do? Millionaire shortbread (caramel). Your favourite currency and why? The euro for flexibility not only within Europe but also outside Europe for those countries with weaker currencies; there again, in relation to the euro, the exchange rate is currently not too crisp for 'you now know who's' Portuguese tennis holiday! Best way of spending money on a rainy day is A long lunch, particularly when it occurs in the Alps: poor skiing but happy memories. Salut!