I am joining other bloggers for ten on the tenth. April is the start of a new financial year so it is apt that this month’s questions were all about money.

I love this clip of Topol singing if I were a rich man from Fiddler on the roof. I was lucky enough to meet him when he was starring in the musical at the Bristol Hippodrome. I was acting as an escort for some disabled people. At the Hippodrome if you use a wheelchair you have to use the stage entrance and Topol took the time to talk to everyone. Unfortunately, I did not have a camera.

THE QUESTIONS

What was your first job? 

My first real job after I left university was as a technician in a metallurgical laboratory. I worked for Bendix Westinghouse in a factory that made air brakes for lories and I had to analyse the metals that were used. It was interesting but very exacting work as we could not afford to make mistakes. I used an early atomic absorption machine that worked on oxygen and acetylene and was a bit terrifying. I stayed there for five years and only left when I became pregnant with my eldest son.

How old were you when you started working?

I began delivering newspapers when I was about 14. I was actually paid by cheque from a Swiss bank account which impressed the local bank manager. I also did a lot of babysitting and had a Saturday job selling fruit and vegetables in a local department store when I was at school.

Tell us about the best job you’ve ever had.  And the worst.

The best job I had was probably also the most demanding. When my children were a bit older I retrained as a nurse and I worked as an assistant home manager in a nursing home for older adults with learning disability or mental health problems who also needed nursing care for physical problems. The worst job? I spent a few days counting shoes at the local shoe factory. All I had to do was find out how many pairs of each type and size of shoe they were producing that day. It was so boring.

Are you a saver or a spender?  What about your significant other?

I think my husband and I are both savers though I spend more than he does and we do enjoy holidays. We have five children so had to be careful with money when they were growing up. My husband’s mother was a single parent so they were quite poor when he was a child and he learnt thow to be frugal. I am pleased to say that we seem to have taught our children good money habits as well.

Have you ever played the stock market?  Do you play the lottery?  Ever gambled?  Ever won big?

No, I am too cautious to play the stock market or the lottery. I did win a Thames cruise for a blog post a couple of years ago but I have never won a big prize.

What is your favourite way to splurge?  What do you dislike spending money on most?

Anyone who reads my blog knows that I love travelling so my favourite way to splurge would be to book a tour to a new city or a new country. I don’t spend money on takeaways. I can usually put a pizza in the oven.

How do you save money?  Do you save change?  Christmas Club or vacation accounts?  Time-share?

In England, we can save money in an ISA, individual savings account and any interest is tax free. It is a boring answer. I have hardly been using cash this year so don’t get change to save.

Who pays the bills?  Who does the taxes?  Do you file early or last minute?

We share paying the bills. My husband does not need to do a self-assessment tax form but I do. I aim to file early but it does not always happen.

Name brands or generic groceries?  Favourite stores to shop?  Have you used grocery pick up?  Delivery? Coupons?

I buy generic groceries if I can. However, we have fussy cats and I do have a favourite coffee. I shop in our local Co-op. The store uses some of its profit to fund local causes. This year I have also been getting online deliveries from Ocado.

Do you shop thrift stores and yard sales?  Ever used Poshmark or eBay?

I volunteer at a local charity shop and am often tempted to buy something. We don’t have Poshmark but I do buy things from Amazon.

Is there anything you collect or save thinking it might be valuable someday?

I collect coins but more for interest than value. I don’t think I have any that are very valuable but a friend did give me a Roman one he found on a building site.