Money & Me - Why I Created Practical & Precious

If you’ve found your way here, welcome.

Whether you’ve followed me on social media for years or this is your very first visit, I’m so glad you’re here. Before I start sharing grocery shopping systems, travel tips, beauty recommendations and all the little ways I try to get the best value from every euro, I thought I’d tell you a little about the person behind Practical & Precious. Because I think understanding why I think the way I do about money is just as important as any tip I could ever give.

Money was always respected in our house

I grew up in the 1980s, and like many families at the time, there wasn’t money to throw around. My dad worked hard, and my mum stayed at home to look after us. We had everything we needed, but there wasn’t a lot left over.

Going out for meals wasn’t something we did. New clothes were usually for Christmas or birthdays. Christmas was the big treat of the year, and Santa was always very good to us. But for the rest of the year, we lived within our means. Our holidays weren’t abroad. They were train journeys down the country to stay with my nana or auntie, and I have such happy memories of those trips.

Looking back, I never felt deprived. What I learned instead was that money had value. If you wanted something, you waited. If you bought something, you looked after it. And when you did get a treat, you appreciated it. Those lessons have stayed with me all my life.

I’ve always loved saving

One of my first memories of money is opening my own bank account when I was about twelve or thirteen years old. I absolutely loved saving. Even today, I feel calmer knowing I have money put away for unexpected expenses or future plans. For me, savings have never been about being rich. They’ve always been about peace of mind.

I’ve Always Loved a Good Bargain

If there’s one thing people probably know about me, it’s that I love a good bargain. I get such a buzz from finding something that’s genuinely great value. Whether it’s a holiday, a beauty product, a designer bargain, or the weekly grocery shop, I love knowing I’ve made my money go further. But here’s the important part—it’s never about buying things just because they’re cheap. It’s about finding the best value.

Sometimes that means spending less. Sometimes it means spending more because the quality, the experience or the longevity makes it worthwhile. For me, value has never been about the lowest price. It’s about feeling confident that every euro was well spent.

I don’t buy the cheapest. I buy the best value

You’ll never hear me tell you that you have to stop enjoying life. That’s not what this website is about. If I find a fantastic four-star hotel that’s incredible value, I’ll happily book it. If a skincare product contains ingredients I know work and it’s worth the investment, I’ll recommend it.

If I can find exactly the same quality for less money, I’ll tell you that too. For me, it’s never about buying the cheapest option. It’s about making informed decisions so your money works harder for you.

The three-day chicken

There were years when money was particularly tight. We were building our family home, and every euro had a purpose. One of my friends, Sheila, still laughs about what she calls “the three-day chicken.” I’d roast a chicken for dinner. The leftover meat became a chicken curry the next day. The carcass was boiled for homemade soup. Nothing was wasted.

At the time, it wasn’t because I enjoyed stretching every ingredient as far as possible. It was because we had a goal. Every euro we saved was helping us build the home we wanted for our family. Looking back now, I don’t remember feeling deprived. I remember feeling determined. The bargains I’ll never forget.

I still get excited by a brilliant bargain. One of my favourites was finding a designer dress in New York while I was on holidays that had been reduced from around $1,200 to $150. Another was discovering a genuine Gucci scarf in an outlet store in Orlando for just $6 in the middle of summer. And one of my best finds was a Calvin Klein winter coat in Las Vegas for about $30 because nobody was shopping for coats in July. Those purchases weren’t exciting because they were cheap. They were exciting because they represented incredible value.

Why I created Practical & Precious

For years, I’ve shared bargains, travel tips, beauty finds and everyday ways to get better value on social media. I absolutely love doing it, and I always will. But social media moves fast. One day you see a Reel, and before you know it, it’s disappeared beneath hundreds of other posts.

I wanted to create a home for everything I believe in. A place where my blog posts, digital guides, recommendations and favourite finds all live together. Somewhere you can visit whenever it suits you. Not because I want to sell you more things. But because I want to build something lasting. A place that reflects how I’ve always tried to help people: with practical advice, genuine recommendations and honest information that helps you make better decisions.

What I hope you’ll find here

My hope is that Practical & Precious becomes somewhere you enjoy visiting. Somewhere you can sit down with a cup of tea or coffee, take ten minutes for yourself, catch up on my latest blog, see what discounts I’ve found, discover a recommendation you might genuinely love, or simply pick up an idea that makes life a little easier.

More than anything, I hope it feels less like browsing a website and more like sitting down for a chat with a friend. If Practical & Precious helps just one person feel more in control of their money, save for something they’ve always wanted, or worry a little less about their finances, then I’ll feel like I’ve achieved exactly what I set out to do.

So, welcome.

Pop the kettle on, make yourself comfortable, and have a look around.

I’m delighted you’re here. ❤️