Originally from Wicklow, Sheena Dignam grew up in the Loire Valley, where she studied culinary arts and wine. Galway Food Tours was launched in 2014, while Kilkenny Food Tours (kilkennyfoodtours.ie) was launched earlier this year. Are you a saver or a spender?I’m more of a spender than a saver. Walking around shops for hours or browsing aimlessly is not my thing, but at the same time, I can be quite impulsive with money. If something catches my eye or I decide I want it, I’ll often just buy it on the spot without thinking too much about it. What was the first job you ever received money for, and how much were you paid?I was a cheese server in a fancy hotel in Tours, France. My role was to push the cheese trolley around the restaurant, talk, and cut the cheese for guests. The hourly rate was €6.50.Do you shop around for better value?I’m quite impulsive and impatient when it comes to shopping, so I usually don’t spend much time comparing prices or looking for better deals. I prefer convenience and making quick decisions instead of spending time searching for the best value.What has been your most extravagant purchase ever, and how much did it cost?I spent some time in Florence, and I would walk by this slightly strange but stunning painting every day. I absolutely fell in love with it. It was €4,000, but it was the best purchase. What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money?My old 2CV car from the ’70s. I use her all the time for zipping around the city, and she is still in very good condition.Is there anything you regret spending money on?I regret spending money on a TV I bought a few years ago. At the time, I thought I would use it all the time for movies and shows, but in reality, I hardly ever turn it on. It ended up being an expensive purchase that didn’t really fit my lifestyle. I also regret buying a spin bike during the pandemic. I was motivated to exercise more at home, so it seemed like a good investment at the time. It is now used as a clothes horse.[ ‘As a business owner, you’re always rolling the dice. Our latest gamble is a shop in Galway’Opens in new window ]Do you haggle over prices?Yes, in certain cultural settings, for example, in the souks of Marrakesh. But generally, I don’t haggle over prices. I tend to see a quoted price as someone’s honest assessment of what their work or product is worth, and I believe that should be respected.Do you invest in shares and/or cryptocurrency?I have shares in a few of my friends’ companies, but I am not expecting a huge return; it’s more for support. Many things on a computer scare me, so definitely not into cryptocurrency.Do you have a retirement or pension plan?I have a pension plan. As a small-business owner, it’s very important to plan financially and make sure you are prepared for the future. I believe having a pension plan is one of the smartest financial decisions you can make, especially when you are self-employed.What was the last thing you bought, and was it good value for money?I bought a piece of clothing from The Tweed Project. It’s a good investment as it’s a timeless piece by a local designer, and it’s also contributing to the local economy, which is something I am passionate about.Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase?Yes, the apartment that I bought on my own in Galway city.Have you ever lost money?I’ve never experienced any major financial losses or made any extremely bad investments (yet!). Like everyone, I’ve wasted money on small things over the years, such as buying things I didn’t really need or spending too much on social events and nights out – experiences that I see as part of life rather than serious losses. Overall, I’ve been quite lucky when it comes to managing my finances.Are you a gambler, and if so, have you ever had a big win?I’m not really a gambler. The biggest win I’ve ever had was probably winning about €50 on a Christmas scratch card, which was more luck than anything else. I might occasionally buy a raffle ticket or join in on something small for fun, but I’ve never been seriously interested in gambling. I much prefer to spend my money on things that feel more worthwhile and predictable rather than leaving it up to chance.What is your best habit when it comes to money? And your worst?The best is that I put money aside every week, and that is transferred automatically to my bank. A bad trait is that I am quite generous to the people around me, so I don’t really look too much at what I spend.How much money do you have on you now?I have €106.72.