Madhur Jaffrey: 'I save cash by bulk buying rice' What was your first job? I see myself as an actor first rather than a writer or cook. I was fortunate enough to pick up minor acting roles on BBC TV and radio thanks to Rada, where money was tight and I had to survive on scholarship funds. I had never had a bank account and when I arrived in London it was hard to open one - they wouldn't accept Indian rupees. It taught me to be frugal. My first big acting break was in a 1965 film called Shakespeare Wallah. Are you a saver or a spender? I am a saver but getting older I am finding it easier to let go and spend, too. I did not understand the meaning of money until I left home but then found how vital it was if I was to be independent and look after myself. Now I am letting go a little and enjoying its benefits - food, quality clothes, house and family. Do you have a financial adviser? I have a broker who is fantastic and helps me choose investments based on stocks and shares. I do not always listen to her advice - but it is great to have an expert to argue with. I often make decisions for the strangest of reasons and the investments do not always turn out too well. For example, I put money into Royal Bank of Scotland as it was the bank used by my acting agency. I thought this meant it was a safe bet. But I enjoy learning from my mistakes. Can money make you happy? No, but food certainly can - and you need money to buy that. The great benefit of money is it helps you to live more comfortably and provides support when trying to realise your dreams. But it is certainly not the answer on its own. What do you think about the celebrity chef culture? It doesn't bother me at all. I try to do a serious job and educate rather than entertain. If being a celebrity attracts people to learn about cooking, then what can be wrong with that? I have three grandchildren. Rather than sitting in front of the television watching cartoons, they might sometimes watch a food show instead - they have taught me things from what they have watched. What's been your best buy? I do not have a favourite dish, herb or spice - it all varies depending on my mood. I grow my own herbs where possible and buy whole spices that last forever. I have a red coffee grinder that I use for grinding them. It cost just a few pounds but works miracles. It is not to be confused with my husband's black coffee grinder that also sits in the kitchen and is used for making coffee. And your worst? I spend a lot of money on trees. Some of my favourites are fruit trees for the orchard. Unfortunately a tree that I have bought that always seems to die is the Japanese maple. It is such a lovely tree but I only seem to be able to kill it - so for me it is a terrible buy.