Finbar Wright delights in spending and hopes his racehorse will win enough to fund his retirement.

FINBAR WRIGHT and his colleagues Ronan Tynan and Anthony Kearns have a lot to celebrate this Christmas. We Three Kings, the Irish Tenors' Christmas CD, has landed the No1 slot in America's Billboard world music chart.

This isn't Wright's first time at No1; his album Whatever You Believe went to the top of the charts in Christmas 1992. His other successes include six solo albums, a popular television show in Ireland in the early 1990s and a sell-out tour this year in America. But Wright says the highlights of his career are reading the gospel at the Pope's mass in Phoenix Park, Dublin, in 1987 and being ordained as a priest in 1980.

After leaving the priesthood in 1987, he met his wife Angela. Today they live in Cork with their two children, Fergus and Ileana. Following their American tour, the Irish Tenors will perform in Belfast, Dublin and Killarney on December 27, 28, and 29.

How much money do you normally have in your wallet?
I always seem to end up with a collection of notes in American dollars, Canadian dollars, Australian dollars or sterling. Inevitably, I never have the currency I need at the time. I always carry a little shiny brown nut in my wallet. I picked it up under a tree in Erie, Pennsylvania, a few years ago. Eerily enough, it has become a talisman of mine.

Do you have any credit cards?
I love the idea of credit. It is the debit part that tends to cause problems. I have three credit cards and use each one for a different part of my business. It makes life easy for my accountant.

Are you a saver or a spender? I spend in the hope that some day I will discover that I have bought something that is worth having while I am around to enjoy it.

What is your biggest money weakness? Gadgets. The ones I'm attracted to are usually vaguely connected to my work so that I can justify the expenditure. I particularly like iPods, digital cameras, laptops and computer music programmes.

What is the worst thing that has ever happened to you financially?
When I was 17 and a student in Spain, I left a 1,000 peseta (about Pounds 4) note in a taxi. I had little or nothing at the time and was devastated. I have never forgiven myself. Should I see an analyst?

What is the most lucrative work you have done? Did you use the fee for something special?
A few years ago, I was invited to sing at the annual stockholders meeting for Merrill Lynch in New Jersey. It was held to mark the retirement of Daniel Tully as the investment bank's chairman. Boy, do they pay well. I was able to get rid of part of my mortgage and I also bought a doberman.

Do you own a property?
My wife owns our property. She claims she is "minding" it for me -an arrangement that is a wonderful libido limiter. Would I buy now? Yes, I always consider property to be a good investment - as long as it is chosen carefully.

Do you have any investments?
I try to cover all bases. I bought shares in Waterford Wedgwood, the ceramics firm, which makes me a risk-taker.

What is your worst investment?
Cable & Wireless shares.

And your best?
I bought a horse with Ronan and Anthony, my tenor colleagues, last June. It's going to win us a fortune - if he can ever stop eating, that is.

How are you going to fund your retirement?
With the betting coup and winnings from our fantastic horse, of course. What is more important: time off or money in the bank? Time off and lots of it is essential if life is to be lived with any degree of satisfaction. A few days in the wilds of west Kerry can make you as frisky as a spring lamb.

Do you feel worried or secure about the future?
I always feel secure in the knowledge that there is no adequate way of preparing for what we cannot know and cannot predict. I belong to the "don't worry, be happy" brigade.

Have you ever seen anybody spend money in a way that shocked you?
Yes. I have been in the presence of those who would spend thousands of dollars on one bottle of wine when they are already well beyond being able to distinguish it from bog water.

Have you ever won or come into a sum of money?
Somebody in Ireland's Electricity Supply Board (ESB) last year pressed the wrong button and I was credited with E10,000. Just as I had all the neighbours connected at half rate, the ESB discovered it and scuppered my chances of a quick buck.

Do you donate to charity?
When my liquidity allows, I contribute to all kinds of charities. However, I have a particular weakness for any organisation that helps underprivileged children. Recently, my colleagues and I performed for Unicef in New York. The work that charity does is phenomenal: educating and feeding children in every corner of the globe. I am honoured by the fact that many of my fans contribute to charities such as the Marymount hospice in Cork in my name. The work done by such institutions is exceptional and inspiring.

What is the most important lesson you have learnt about money?
Growing up in a big family where money was scarce has only served to convince me that wealth is no prerequisite either for happiness or quality of life. We enjoyed both to the full without it.

If you had an unlimited supply of money for one week, what would be the top three items on you shopping list?
First, Microsoft, second, every Four Seasons hotel in the world -and third The Sunday Times, of course.