‘When my first book came out, I was a single mum working full-time and writing at night.’

Sarah Webb is an award-winning author who has written over 38 books.

She lives in Dún Laoghaire with her partner and children. Her upcoming children's book, The Little Bee Charmer of Henrietta Street will be published this September. She will be co-hosting an online mini-beast safari for the Towers and Tales Book Festival in Lismore on Saturday, May 1. For more information see www.towersandtales.ie.

What's the most important lesson about money which your career in writing has taught you?

Writing is a precarious career – with a lot of ups and downs. When my first book came out, I was a single mother, working full-time in Waterstones and writing at night. Juggling a job, a son and writing wasn’t easy – but I managed it. I’ve learned to work hard and to have other jobs on the side, just in case.

What has the coronavirus crisis taught you about money?

I can live without a lot of things – but not without books. I miss bookshops desperately – they are my happy places.

What's the most expensive thing about being a parent?

As a parent of two teenagers, it's phone credit, computers and decent bikes. 

What's the most expensive country you ever visited?

Iceland. I’d always dreamed of visiting and it was a present for my 40th birthday. The price of eating out there was insane. I remember paying around €50 for pizza. At one restaurant, a standard bottle of white wine that would be €20 here was €100. Luckily we’d been tipped off about this and picked up some wine and beer at the airport duty free.

What's your favourite Irish coin?

My all-time favourites are the copper half-pence and one-pence coins with the swirling birds from the Book of Kells on them. They’re beautiful.

Apart from property, what’s the most expensive thing you have bought?

My Mini Cooper car. I bought it second-hand but it was still expensive enough. I enjoying driving it every day though so it was a good investment.

What was your worst job? 

I worked in McDonald’s in Paris one summer and it was hard work. The other staff members were lovely and it was a really interesting place to work – but it was a hot summer and I’d come home to our apartment completely drained from the heat. My French wasn’t great so I ended up frying the chips a lot.

Your biggest financial mistake?

Trying to make a living as a writer isn’t the smartest of financial moves but I wouldn’t change it for the world.

What was your best financial killing?

In 2001, my adult novel Always the Bridesmaid was number one for around nine weeks and it led to a decent advance for my next three books. It went towards the deposit for a house.

Are you better off than your parents?

No. My dad was a quantity surveyor and my mum a teacher. Good, steady jobs.

If you won the Euromillions, what would you do with the money?

Put libraries into as many schools in Ireland as possible. It’s wrong that the Government does not financially support school libraries. I might invest in a local bookshop too.

iTunes or Spotify? 

We have Spotify but I spend most of my listening time catching up on book podcasts or audio books.

Would you buy Irish property now? 

I’d consider buying a bookshop one day – when I win the Euromillions.

What three things would you not be able to do without if you were tightening your belt?

Books, notebooks – I go through an A4 notebook a week, and cheese – I'm a fiend for the cheese.