‘I FEEL LIKE WE EAT ALL OUR MONEY!’

Actress Ali Bastian, 37, who recently revealed she’s expecting her first child, reveals how she spends, saves and splashes cash

I’VE HAD NORMAL JOBS AS WELL AS ACTING

I worked in a pet shop when I was a teenager and behind the bar at a sports centre before I got the role on Hollyoaks. I was also a child actor. I played Jane Eyre for the BBC when I was 10. I can’t remember how much I got paid as it was so long ago.

MY BEST BARGAIN WAS MY RESCUE DOG MABLE

When you rehome a pet instead of buying one, you pay a donation to the rescue centre but they come neutered or spayed, vaccinated, microchipped and sometimes even house trained! Most importantly, they are in need of a loving forever home.

I’VE NEVER BEEN AFRAID TO HAGGLE

I really enjoy doing a deal – on pretty much anything! I was in a rush to get across London to meet my brother the other night and couldn’t get a cab, so I jumped in a rickshaw. We agreed a fee but after he dropped me, I realised how hard he’d worked, so I gave him more.

I LOVE A BACK-TOBASICS HOLIDAY...

backpacking and staying in beach huts. We [Ali and husband David O’ Mahoney] blew the budget on an incredible honeymoon to the Maldives, though. It was a real once-in-alifetime trip, and we maxed the credit cards, but I’m really happy we gave ourselves the gift of an amazing holiday together.

I HONESTLY FEEL LIKE WE EAT OUR CASH!

Whenever I look at my statements I can’t believe how much we spend on what we eat. We cook a lot at home and love the odd takeaway but, as I’m often away with work, I grab lunches and dinners out.

I’M A BARGAIN HUNTER

When we were getting married in February, we searched high and low for deals. We bought our decor from Ebay and Gumtree – festoon and fairy lights, storm lanterns, vases, and lots of faux flowers. We have since sold it all on. I’m still deciding whether to sell my dress or not. Part of me would like to, so someone else could get joy from it, but I’m also really attached to it.

I INVESTED IN PROPERTY AT 19...

when I first started on

Hollyoaks, and I’m so glad I did. I bought a cottage in Henley-onThames to support me through the rainy days and inevitably those days came, so I sold it. Unfortunately, the moment it sold, a great job came in.

WE WERE BOOM AND BUST AS A FAMILY WHEN I WAS GROWING UP

It meant I was quite naturally suited to the highs and lows of the entertainment industry! My upbringing taught me to find your base level of happy in whatever financial sea you are sailing in. If you are unhappy, all the material wealth in the world isn’t going to change that.

Ali is in Doctors on BBC One