Crystal-clear priorities

What were you paid? Back then it was about $2.50 an hour if I was lucky!

Are you a saver or a spender? Definitely a spender.

What was your biggest splurge? I spend most of my money at service station shops. People tell me I could get those groceries for half the price at the supermarket. I prefer to pay for the convenience. I bought a gold chain in Dubai on my way to England for the cricket in 1981 for $300. Back then that was a lot of money, especially when I was playing for $100 a week.

What was your best bargain? My Moto Guzzi. It was worth $25,000. I did a couple of promos for them and got it half price.

What was the best thing you've been given free? I've been given a lot of crystals in my life. A friend from up the far north coast gave me a crystal wand, which is an amazing thing. I have so many crystals I now collect.

What is your greatest money-saving secret? Best way is constantly putting money in superannuation. Even when I did an apprenticeship at Qantas, it wasn't compulsory to contribute to your super but I still continued to do it.

What's the best piece of investment advice you have heard? Pay off your mortgage.

What's the best piece of investment advice you've actually acted upon? Paid off my credit card.

Credit cards are: a) great b) helpful c) a poor investment or d) work of the Devil? Helpful. If we are strapped for cash or need that emergency money instantly, the credit card comes in handy. You just never know when you might need money fast. Especially in medical emergencies. When I travel overseas, it comes as a great help, rather than carrying large amounts of cash.

If I were given $20,000 I would buy ... A car for one of my kids.

If I were given $20,000 I would invest in ... Straight to the super fund!

I wish I had $1 for every (time) ... Someone asked me about Who Dares Wins: am I going to dare someone?

I'd be a millionaire if I gave up ... Buying crystals. I love them! And collecting cricket memorabilia (that stuff isn't cheap).

Samantha Hutchinson