MY BARGAIN BIN WIN

Louise received an award for her savvy spending skills...

My arms were laden with skirts, tops and shoes… I plonked them down on the counter. ‘£11, please,’ the cashier said. For a dozen outfits! Bargain hunting’s given me a thrill since my mum, Sally, 50, took me to car boot sales as a kid.

I’d feel rich buying five ‘new’ Barbies with my £2 pocket money.

As a teen, I sharpened my discount-seeking skills, scouring ebay for frugal finds.

I’d one rule: spend under £5 per item. I loved to share my thrifty finds, so my Pauper to Princess blog was born.

My boyfriend, Ed, 25, is a tech entrepreneur, working worldwide, so we move a lot.

Which means I’ve now visited five continents, scouring shops to find designer gear or stuff that looks like it, at a fraction of the price.

I fund my accommodation and travel by blogging – and the money saved by being shopping savvy.

You just have to know what you’re looking for.

My favourite find is a Moschino belt for $4 – about £2.60 – and when I checked it was worth £155!

Back home, I recently found a pair of Calvin Klein sunglasses for just £1 in a charity shop. They were worth £100! Every few months, I have a clear out by giving stuff back to charity shops.

In July last year, I was named Bargain Hunter of the Year 2015 by money saving website Promotionalcodes.org.uk.

For me, the treasure hunt never ends!

My favourite find’s a Moschino belt for £2.60