Me & My Money Annalise Murphy Olympic sailing medallist and road racing cyclist

• Published date: 26 March 2024
• Author: TONY CLAYTON-LEA
• Publication title: Irish Times (Dublin, Ireland)

Are you a saver or a spender? I think a bit of both. I try my best to save but if I really need or want something, I don’t mind spending. I aim to spend on things that bring long-term value rather than instant gratification, though I’ll admit that I’m not immune to the occasional impulse buy

Do you shop around for better value? Definitely. Probably like most people, I love a deal and I try to buy what I need at the best price. That being said, I also think it’s important to try to support local independent businesses so I try to buy from them when I can.

What has been your most extravagant purchase and how much did it cost? My Rocket Appartamento espresso machine. I love coffee and after years of debating whether

I really needed one, I finally bought it, along with a grinder. It seemed like a very extravagant purchase at the time, but I use it every day and don’t have so many coffees out now. It cost €1,500, but I have had four years of the best coffee and happier mornings.

What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money? Probably my racing bike. I bought it all in pieces, and I built it with the help of YouTube and a local bike shop. I still love it and I probably use it 200-plus times a year so its price per use is pretty good now!

How did you prefer to shop during the Covid-19 restrictions – online or local? I tried to shop locally during the Covid-19 restrictions.

Do you haggle over prices? I am the world’s worst haggler, and if I got into a haggling match with someone I probably would end up paying more than the ticket price!

How has the Covid-19 crisis changed your spending habits? I don’t believe it changed my spending habits. I have always loved cooking and would rarely go out for food. I do, however, spend quite a lot of money on groceries and good, fresh food.

Do you invest in shares? I don’t, but I am very interested in global financial markets as I like to know what is happening around the world. It’s something I would like to do in the future.

Cash or card? Card. I would say I use Apple Pay on my phone 99 per cent of the time. If my phone crashed? I would be stuck!

What was the last thing you bought and was it good value for money? I bought a new pair of trousers. They were on sale, and...