TV presenter Anna Williamson is feeling lucky that she has saved for a rainy day.
The star of Celebs Go Dating says coronavirus has had an 'enormous' impact on her financially, but it has also made her feel thankful for what she has, including her good health.
If she were the Chancellor, she would provide a massive cash injection into the NHS and start paying healthcare workers what they deserve.
Thinking ahead: Television presenter Anna Williamson says coronavirus has had an 'enormous' impact on her financially
She has been saving into a pension since she was 23 and is even considering setting up pensions for children Vincenzo, three, and five-month-old Eleanora.
Williamson, 38, spoke to Donna Ferguson from her home in Hertfordshire where she lives with husband Alex and their children.
How have you been affected by the coronavirus outbreak?
Financially, I've been affected enormously. The whole TV industry flatlined. Large corporate events I was due to host have been cancelled and a TV series I was supposed to be in has been postponed.
I have had to look at my finances, but I'm a freelancer and luckily, I have saved for a rainy day like today. At the same time, I know I have a lot to be thankful for. I've got my home, family and my health, and I believe we all need to remember that some of the simplest things in life are the most important.
I think a lot about the people who are having to pull the country through this crisis: the health workers, delivery drivers, supermarket workers... I think it has hopefully shifted everyone's perspective about how important these jobs are.
What did your parents teach you about money?
That nothing comes for free and to always work hard for it, never borrow or buy things on credit. I was taught to save for whatever I wanted to buy. My parents' view was that if you couldn't afford it, you couldn't have it. I had a privileged upbringing, but not an extravagant one.
My dad was in property management and ran his own consultancy business. My mother dedicated her early married life to looking after her children, but then became a medical secretary and worked in the NHS.
They have always been savvy with money. We never went without, but we never splashed out on materialistic things either.
Have you ever struggled to make ends meet?
Yes. The worst time was when I was in my early twenties. I got into kids' TV when I was in my late teens, but found myself between contracts for the best part of a year when I was about 22. Work was a bit thin on the ground, so I joined a temping agency and did a 9 to 5 job. I hated it.
My pay was £10 an hour. I was sharing a house in South-West London, paying £500 a month in rent, plus I had to commute. So there wasn't a great deal left at the end of the month. I've always been proud though that I didn't ask my folks for money.
Have you ever been paid silly money for a job?
Yes. I once hosted an all-day corporate event in Las Vegas and got paid £8,000. I remember feeling like I'd won the Lottery. They flew me to Vegas business class, paid for me to stay at a luxury hotel for five nights, and I got to eat and socialise at the company's expense.
I remember sitting at the top of the Mandalay Bay hotel, having a cocktail and feeling quite chuffed with my life.
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What was the best year of your financial life?
It was 2018. As well as my TV work, I sold a flat I owned in London which was lucrative.
The most expensive thing you bought yourself for fun?
A sleek black Audi TT coupe. I sold it when I got pregnant and I now have a more sedate family car. But that Audi was my pride and joy. It went really fast and sapa had sexy leather bucket seats. I thoroughly enjoyed being a complete poser in it.
It cost me between £15,000 and £20,000 - I bought it second-hand.
What's the biggest money mistake you've ever made?
I've yet to make a real clanger, du lịch sapa but probably not investing in Bitcoin shares years ago when my husband said I should. He didn't invest either. If he had, he's calculated he would have made a million pounds.
What has been your best money decision?
Buying my first flat in Angel, London, after a £20,000 inheritance I'd been given in 2006. My grandmother's best friend didn't have any children, so she left her estate to me and my four cousins to help us get on the property ladder - and that's what we all did.
I put down that inheritance as a 10 per cent deposit and when I sold my flat ten years later, I had more than doubled my investment. That helped me to buy my current home.
Do you save into a pension or invest in the stock market?
Yes, I have a private pension and I pay £100 into it every month. I think it's really important to have a pension and I started investing into mine 15 years ago. I'm self-employed so I have no company pension and I am not relying on the state pension - who knows what my situation will be like when I retire.
My husband and I are considering setting up pensions for our kids - you can set one up for your children as soon as they are born. Financial experts I have worked with on TV programmes say it's a good idea because the money you invest has more time to grow and you get the boost of tax relief on contributions.
Do you own any property?
Yes, my home - a four bedroom 17th century Grade II listed cottage in Hertfordshire. It has a large family garden which backs on to a picturesque churchyard. We bought it last August. I'd rather not say how much we paid.
What little luxury do you like to treat yourself to?
Before lockdown, I liked to have a massage every fortnight. The way I see it is that I work hard and look after my kids. So, if I want a massage, then I will damn well have one!
If you were the Chancellor what would you do?
I would look at sensible ways to provide a massive cash injection into the NHS, especially into maternity services. And I'd also start paying healthcare workers what they deserve. What those workers put into their jobs should be reflected better in their pay.
Do you donate to charity?
Yes, I do. I sponsor a child in Vietnam and I'm an ambassador for Mind, The Prince's Trust, Childline and the NSPCC.
What's your number one financial priority?
My children. I want them to have the best education, healthcare and opportunities that I can afford.
The star of Celebs Go Dating says coronavirus has had an 'enormous' impact on her financially, but it has also made her feel thankful for what she has, including her good health.
If she were the Chancellor, she would provide a massive cash injection into the NHS and start paying healthcare workers what they deserve.
Thinking ahead: Television presenter Anna Williamson says coronavirus has had an 'enormous' impact on her financially
She has been saving into a pension since she was 23 and is even considering setting up pensions for children Vincenzo, three, and five-month-old Eleanora.
Williamson, 38, spoke to Donna Ferguson from her home in Hertfordshire where she lives with husband Alex and their children.
How have you been affected by the coronavirus outbreak?
Financially, I've been affected enormously. The whole TV industry flatlined. Large corporate events I was due to host have been cancelled and a TV series I was supposed to be in has been postponed.
I have had to look at my finances, but I'm a freelancer and luckily, I have saved for a rainy day like today. At the same time, I know I have a lot to be thankful for. I've got my home, family and my health, and I believe we all need to remember that some of the simplest things in life are the most important.
I think a lot about the people who are having to pull the country through this crisis: the health workers, delivery drivers, supermarket workers... I think it has hopefully shifted everyone's perspective about how important these jobs are.
What did your parents teach you about money?
That nothing comes for free and to always work hard for it, never borrow or buy things on credit. I was taught to save for whatever I wanted to buy. My parents' view was that if you couldn't afford it, you couldn't have it. I had a privileged upbringing, but not an extravagant one.
My dad was in property management and ran his own consultancy business. My mother dedicated her early married life to looking after her children, but then became a medical secretary and worked in the NHS.
They have always been savvy with money. We never went without, but we never splashed out on materialistic things either.
Have you ever struggled to make ends meet?
Yes. The worst time was when I was in my early twenties. I got into kids' TV when I was in my late teens, but found myself between contracts for the best part of a year when I was about 22. Work was a bit thin on the ground, so I joined a temping agency and did a 9 to 5 job. I hated it.
My pay was £10 an hour. I was sharing a house in South-West London, paying £500 a month in rent, plus I had to commute. So there wasn't a great deal left at the end of the month. I've always been proud though that I didn't ask my folks for money.
Have you ever been paid silly money for a job?
Yes. I once hosted an all-day corporate event in Las Vegas and got paid £8,000. I remember feeling like I'd won the Lottery. They flew me to Vegas business class, paid for me to stay at a luxury hotel for five nights, and I got to eat and socialise at the company's expense.
I remember sitting at the top of the Mandalay Bay hotel, having a cocktail and feeling quite chuffed with my life.
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Previous
1
Next
Jockey Richard Pitman once earned the equivalent of £31k for... 'The Beatles played music in my house': Johnny Ball on... Former West Ham star Tony Cottee: 'I lost £150,000 of my... My mum sacked me from my £60-a-week job, but I once earned...
Share this article
Share
What was the best year of your financial life?
It was 2018. As well as my TV work, I sold a flat I owned in London which was lucrative.
The most expensive thing you bought yourself for fun?
A sleek black Audi TT coupe. I sold it when I got pregnant and I now have a more sedate family car. But that Audi was my pride and joy. It went really fast and sapa had sexy leather bucket seats. I thoroughly enjoyed being a complete poser in it.
It cost me between £15,000 and £20,000 - I bought it second-hand.
What's the biggest money mistake you've ever made?
I've yet to make a real clanger, du lịch sapa but probably not investing in Bitcoin shares years ago when my husband said I should. He didn't invest either. If he had, he's calculated he would have made a million pounds.
What has been your best money decision?
Buying my first flat in Angel, London, after a £20,000 inheritance I'd been given in 2006. My grandmother's best friend didn't have any children, so she left her estate to me and my four cousins to help us get on the property ladder - and that's what we all did.
I put down that inheritance as a 10 per cent deposit and when I sold my flat ten years later, I had more than doubled my investment. That helped me to buy my current home.
Do you save into a pension or invest in the stock market?
Yes, I have a private pension and I pay £100 into it every month. I think it's really important to have a pension and I started investing into mine 15 years ago. I'm self-employed so I have no company pension and I am not relying on the state pension - who knows what my situation will be like when I retire.
My husband and I are considering setting up pensions for our kids - you can set one up for your children as soon as they are born. Financial experts I have worked with on TV programmes say it's a good idea because the money you invest has more time to grow and you get the boost of tax relief on contributions.
Do you own any property?
Yes, my home - a four bedroom 17th century Grade II listed cottage in Hertfordshire. It has a large family garden which backs on to a picturesque churchyard. We bought it last August. I'd rather not say how much we paid.
What little luxury do you like to treat yourself to?
Before lockdown, I liked to have a massage every fortnight. The way I see it is that I work hard and look after my kids. So, if I want a massage, then I will damn well have one!
If you were the Chancellor what would you do?
I would look at sensible ways to provide a massive cash injection into the NHS, especially into maternity services. And I'd also start paying healthcare workers what they deserve. What those workers put into their jobs should be reflected better in their pay.
Do you donate to charity?
Yes, I do. I sponsor a child in Vietnam and I'm an ambassador for Mind, The Prince's Trust, Childline and the NSPCC.
What's your number one financial priority?
My children. I want them to have the best education, healthcare and opportunities that I can afford.
lyndoneichhorn@yahoo.de
