Believe me, I've done my time travelling the world in cramped conditions and carrying my own luggage. Now my leisure is summers in the south of France or the Hamptons, walking in Connemara, and year-round shopping in Manhattan and Paris.

I've always taken risks and bought property well. As journalism wasn't particularly well paid, buying homes and selling them for profit improved my income.

Property is my major investment. My accountant has put money into various long-term savings arrangements. To be honest, I am a bit vague about all that stuff.

I do have a rule that very few meetings are worth more than ten minutes.

In her memoir, Anne Robinson recounts the wake-up call which motivated her to stop drinking. Leaving her eight-year-old daughter alone in their car while she went to buy liquor, she returned to find her daughter with tears running down her cheeks. The guilt and horror Ms. Robinson felt at this sight jolted her into sobriety.

I do think your attitude towards money is an inherent part of your character.

I like to look put together without trying too hard. I don't want to look as if God's made another rainbow - I prefer muted, autumnal colours, like most fading redheads.