What was your first pay cheque? Around £30 for a weekend's work as a silver service waitress at a local hotel. What did you spend it on? I saved it for when I went to university, so it was most likely spent on books or beer (well, wine actually as I have never liked beer!) Dining out or entertaining at home? Definitely dining out. You are likely to see a foodie trend in my answers! Most expensive thing ever bought? My 'new' house (build in the 1800s), which is a Grade II listed property nestled in the Chilterns. Best bargain ever had? Eight-course tasting menu at the restaurant at One Lombard Street for £45. It was considerably cheaper than the 11-course menu at Le Manoir aux Quat Saisons or the 13-course menu at The Fat Duck and it was extremely tasty. One luxury you're going without during the credit crunch? Those extravagant tasting menus. Best money saving tip? If you like eating out like I do, search for good offers like two-for-one or 50% off. Lots of really nice restaurants are doing some brilliant deals so why not take advantage of them? One thing you shouldn't buy but always do? Chocolate! Your favourite currency and why? New Zealand dollars, because they are just so originally designed and colourful. Best way of spending money on a rainy day is Buying a large bar of chocolate and being snuggled up in front of the fire with my two cats. Or buying a new umbrella if I have happened to have lost mine!