Andrea McLean

I very rarely use a credit card, but I do if I know I have big bills coming and I need to stagger payment.

The only time I've ever taken out a loan is for the building work I had done at our house and I did that by extending the mortgage.

The truth is I was nicely brought up and taught not to show my rage even though it was building up inside.

I've always been interested in DIY and home renovation - even from my first student flat. I've always left places better than when I moved in.

I do most of my shopping over the Internet because as a busy working mum I can do the supermarket shop when the kids have gone to bed.

I find DIY really therapeutic. I lose myself in it, because you can concentrate on the task and not think about all the other stuff going on in your life.

I used to think everything had to be perfect, but now I know perfection doesn't exist - life comes with bumps and grazes.

Peppers, garlic, hazelnuts and brazil nuts make my mouth, tongue and eyes swell and itch within minutes of eating them.

I grew up on a sugar plantation in Trinidad, on an expat estate, and that meant I had no idea about money until a lot later than most children.

We make a mess of things sometimes but that doesn't make you bad - it makes you human.

Eating at home is fine, as I can easily work around the foods that don't agree with me and still eat heartily with the rest of my family. I don't force them to follow my diet.