‘When I was on TV, everyone thought I was rich and famous but that was not the case’

Mary FitzGerald trained as a primary school teacher, specialising in arts and craft, and started her broadcasting career presenting the popular RTÉ Saturday morning children’s show ‘Anything Goes’. When the show ended, she presented her own arts and craft show How Do You Do? leading her to become known as ‘Mary make and do’to her fans.

The Kilkenny woman, who lives in Dublin, then moved into public relations and set up her own PR and event management consultancy. She still dabbles in television, having recently been a producer of ‘Book Club’, a book review series on RTÉ One that featured book clubs from all around the country.

How did your upbringing influence your relationship with money?

I’m the eldest of nine children

– six boys and three girls – so my parents, Alexis and Mary FitzGerald, had a lot of mouths to feed and educate. My dad was an auctioneer, a well-regarded businessman, and a great money manager. He never turned down work as he always said it would pay a bill or educate me and my brothers and sisters. I take the same approach. I’ve been self-employed for most of my life, except for my early career, when I was a primary school teacher before I went to work as a TV presenter at RTÉ.

You were famed for your make-anddo skills with household items on RTÉ. Do you still embrace any of these frugal ways of life?

My make-and-do skills are alive and well. I recently decorated my house for Easter with wreaths, I painted and decorated eggs, and made a Simnel cake, a traditional Easter cake.

How lucrative is children’s TV now compared to when you were on screen?

Unfortunately, it was not a lucrative career in my day. When I was on TV, everyone thought I was rich and famous but that was not the case.

That said, I loved my work and the positive feedback I got from parents and children.

When you were most broke?

When the financial crash came. I was running the PR and event management business that I still run today. For me and thousands of other small business owners, it was very challenging times.

What’s the most expensive place you’ve ever been to?

The Cayman Islands. A good friend and her husband went to live there. She invited me to stay but groceries were three times the price they were in Ireland. It was cheaper to fly to Miami to buy the weekly shop than to shop locally. That said, it was an experience I will not forget.

What’s been your biggest extravagance?

Going back to study to be a barrister later in my career. It was something I always wanted to do when I was at school, but a nun persuaded me to do teaching instead. I cut back on socialising and holidays to pay tuition fees. It was worth it to achieve my long-held ambition.

What was your best ever investment?

My home in Dublin. I could not afford to buy it in today’s market. It’s a pity young people cannot afford to buy their own home and live in the areas they grew up in despite having good salaries.

What was your biggest ever financial mistake?

I embarked on buying shares despite being conservative with money. The only one who made money was the stockbroker as when I went to sell them I had lost out.

Do you have a pension?

I have a small pension but I wish I started one earlier. When you’re young, naïve, enthusiastic and love your job, you do not think of the value in having a pension as you get older.