Majken Bech-Bailey is a non-alcoholic wine specialist. Her range of non-alcoholic wine alternatives, BÆK, is listed in Michelin-starred restaurants such as London’s Gordon Ramsay High, Birmingham’s Grace & Savour and The Oak Room at Adare Manor. Are you a saver or a spender?I would say I’m both. It really depends on the occasion and my income. If I have a significant goal to save up towards, I can be very disciplined. That said, I also enjoy a good shopping trip. What was the first job you received money for, and how much were you paid?I was a waitress for a wedding. My mother used to help out at birthdays and weddings at weekends, and asked if I would like to give a hand. I think I made the equivalent of about €50.Do you shop around for better value?I like a good offer, but I probably shop more for better quality than for deals. I find I don’t necessarily need as much if I’m buying good quality to begin with. What has been your most extravagant purchase and how much did it cost?That would have been a special present for my husband. He is massively into his watches so, when we started our new business together, I bought him a Rolex. I spent around €10,000 on it. For me, it wasn’t about the money, but how much I knew this would mean to him. He is still wearing it today. What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money? For me, the best value for money is to do with how much you use it, or how long it lasts. So, probably our wedding rings. I think they are excellent value for money as we wear them every day. I don’t think we purchase that many things in life that we can say we use every single day. So in this case, a sentimental investment turns out to be the best value.Is there anything you regret spending money on?Not that I can think of. While I wouldn’t classify myself as a big spender on material things, I haven’t ever splurged on anything that I have regretted Do you haggle over prices?Only if I’m at a market abroad, or in a situation when you’re expected to haggle. I’m normally more than happy to pay the set price.Do you invest in shares and/or cryptocurrency?Yes, I do. I’m a massive fan of Female Invest, which is such a great platform to learn how to invest your money. I have a set amount of my income I put aside monthly to invest in shares. Do you have a retirement or pension plan? Yes, I have a pension plan and a pension fund I’m paying into. I’m quite a safe person when it comes to money, so I like a plan as well as a backup plan. What was the last thing you bought, and was it good value for money?Jewellery for my best friend’s 30th birthday. It was a bespoke little silver heart made from a new up-and-coming jewellery brand. I paid €85, which I think is great value when you consider it is something special that she will have forever. Hopefully.Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase? I don’t have a set budget each month, but I do have guidelines on what percentage of my income goes into savings. I mightn’t have an immediate purpose for the savings, but I do so because it gives me a sense of security. Have you ever lost money? Only at horse races or nights out where we’ve gone to a casino, or somewhere like that. I do have one rule in places that involve gambling, and that is never to spend more than you can afford to lose. In my case, I never spend more than €50. I look upon it as entertainment and don’t take it too seriously. Are you a gambler and, if so, have you ever had a big win? I’ve never had a massive win as I’ve never spent crazy amounts of money, but last year I won €545 at a racing day where I bet €5. Considering what I put in, that was quite a return.What is your best habit when it comes to money? And your worst?I think my best and worst are the same. Probably the amount of money I spend on food. I just love food, both eating out and cooking, so I don’t hold back when it comes to the best ingredients.How much money do you have on you now? I have €20 in cash, just in case I need to pay for something where they don’t take credit cards.In conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea