Celebrity money secrets - Martin Roberts

Martin Roberts presents BBC1’s hit show Homes Under the Hammer, provides property-buying advice in his book Making Money From Property, and runs training courses and a website, martinroberts.co.uk.

His CV includes presenting ITV’s travel show, Wish You Were Here, and a 15-year stint as travel editor of Woman magazine, as well as being an experienced author. Roberts lives in Devon with his wife, Kirsty, and two-year-old son, Scot, with baby number-two on the way.

Moneywise asked him to share his money secrets and tips.

My spending weakness?

Antiques and collectables, everything from old clocks to typewriters, but specifically scientific antiques. I’m a sucker for car boot sales; I have a house full of random, absolutely useless stuff – I love anything with a bit of history.

The most I’ve spent on a single item...

A wonderful modern-art grandfather clock made by Mark Avis. It looks as though it has just been taken out of a Dali painting – as though it’s made of wax and has started melting. It cost me £10,000 a long time ago.

If I won £10,000, I’d...

Pay off the loan for that clock!

The one thing I’m not prepared to give up or cut back on...

Any expense on my son. I’ll cut back, but it’s hard for me to cut back on him – which he’s beginning to learn. We come back from car boot sales with our hands full of fluffy toys and games.

If I was chancellor for a day, I’d...

Force the banks to pay all the money back they have taken, and put it into businesses and provide individuals with finance. I’d force all credit card companies to put interest back to base rates, and I’d abolish inheritance tax and stamp duty. I would also knock through number 10 and 11 to make a nice living area.

How I’m feeling the credit crunch...

I have properties on tracker mortgages, so on the one hand, it’s great because I’m not paying as much back. On the other hand, new purchases are a nightmare; it makes raising any finance very difficult and it’s harder to gear money. It means I am more reliant on savings, which is tough. It’s swings and roundabouts. Now is the time people need advice – and that’s what I provide.

My first job and pay packet?

Stocking shelves for Kwiksave. I worked nine to five on Thursdays and Fridays, and eight to six on Saturdays, and was paid £16. But I saved up and bought a new bicycle.

The best financial lesson I’ve learnt...

Cash flow is everything. It’s not what you own but what you can liquidate quickly if you need to. Oh, and cheap definitely isn’t always best; beware of false economies.

How I’m teaching my children about money...

Well, my son’s two, and I’m doing a bad job so far. As I mentioned before, he comes to car boot sales with me and toy shops. He doesn’t yet understand that you have to swap those hard-earned bits of paper for the train set.

But when Scot’s older, I’ll teach him the thrill of buying things with your own money. My biggest tip to him would be the importance of cash flow – a bird in the hand is worth two in a tree.

My top money-saving tip...

Whatever you’re buying, do your research – and always 
get at least three quotes.