‘I’m the thriftiest TV star in Oz!’

BARGAIN QUEEN DENISE DRYSDALE One of our most loved celebrities, Denise has a secret et life as a bargain hunter – here are her bill-slashing tips! ps!

Bubbly TV favourite Denise Drysdale can’t hide her famous smile when talking about her love of a bargain, saying it’s been years since she paid full price for anything.

“I’m the queen of the sales,” the Studio 10 host, affectionately known as Ding Dong, confesses. “I adore them and it’s silly to pay full price if you don’t have to. If I were a millionaire I still wouldn’t.”

Two-time Gold Logie-winning Denise, who’s notched up an impressive 58 years on our TV screens, is quick to point out that her love of a sale doesn’t mean she’s stingy – just sensible.

“I’ll see a tray of beautiful tomatoes on special, so I snap them up and make jars of relish for my friends,” she tells.

Denise says seeing her parents working long hours at their Melbourne pub taught her to appreciate the value of money from a young age.

“I saw how hard they worked. But Mum was also a spendthrift – she couldn’t save a cent. In the end, they struggled on a pension.

“That was an eye-opener for me, and so I’ve rarely been reckless or extravagant in splashing the cash. Over the years I’ve developed a knack for saving – I could have earned a black belt as a thrifty shopper!”

Denise, 68, is loving life since moving from rural Victoria to Queensland’s Gold Coast almost three years ago.

“I’m having a ball,” she says, revealing she takes her grandson Bodhi, five, to the theme parks, and relishes having her two sons, Peter, 36, and Rob, 35, living nearby, as well as good shopping on her doorstep.

“I’ve found the best shopping centre in Helensvale. I bought a box of 50 limes the other day for $5. I love limes. I share them with friends, and squeeze the juice into ice-cube trays for later.

“I often buy in bulk, and always buy fruit and vegetables that are in season, as they’re re fresher and usually lly cheaper.

“I love ove home-cooked mealss – especially roasts, casseroles,eroles, curries and spaghettihetti bolognese – and it’s a great at excuse for a family get-together.”ogether.”

Denise nise is fond of a glass of bubbly,bly, and is thrilled Aussie sparklingkling wine is generally of greatt value and quality.

“I can’t drink most French Champagnempagne because it’s acidic, so Wolf olf Blass Eaglehawk suits me nicely. I was chuffed the other r day to grab it for $5.40 a bottle. e. I’d never pay $70 for a bottle e of bubbly when I can get changege out of that on a case,” says down-to-earth Denise.

‘I could have earned a black belt as a thrify shopper’