I bought my first house when I was 24 for £19,500 and it was sold two years ago for £256,000. I've always made profit on my houses.

I bought my first house when I was 24 for £19,500 and it was sold two years ago for £256,000. I've always made profit on my houses.

If you've been frugal during your life and tried to save, you're penalised by the tax system. You pay tax on your wages, your savings and even your private pension.

In my view, the money is poorly spent and given willy-nilly to people unlikely to get on the winning rostrum.

Being born not long after the war meant that money was tight. I grew up in a rural corner of Lincolnshire and my father worked on local farms. Being one of nine kids meant we didn't have much.

I like paper statements rather than relying on computers. I feel more in control if my account details and transactions are broken down on paper.

When you experience having nothing you value everything - and that applies to all aspects of life.