St George’s Way
A woman from Ryde has featured on Channel 5’s Bargain Brits on Benefits, a programme which highlights how different people on various benefits are making their money go further.
Lei Hang, better known as the Thrifty Island Girl, has featured on episode 3 of the first series of the mainstream show, sharing money-saving tips and tricks at a time when many people have lost their jobs or are struggling financially.
When she was younger, Lei had a luxurious life funded by her parents but that all changed when she got pregnant whilst studying for her masters degree in infection and immunity. Lei soon married but divorced just a year later in 2014. That’s when her financial situation changed dramatically…
Lei says:
“As a single mum I’ve found a lot of ways of how to make my money go further and so I started my blog The Thrifty Island Girl during the first lockdown in July 2020, sharing my money-saving tips with people”.
In the episode, Lei explains how she has managed to get part of her gas and electric for free by referring people to a cheaper energy supplier, gaining £50 credit each time. She also explains how replacing washing powder and fabric softener with an eco-egg has helped save money.
Newport’s Dress For Less is also highlighted as a place where Islanders can pick up bargain designer brands, which Lei then wears or sells on eBay to earn extra money.
You can watch the episode for yourself by visiting https://www.my5.tv/bargain-brits-on-benefits/season-1/episode-3.
Buys to then sell on Ebay. That shows she is running a business. No matter how small. If you buy to sell your a business. Dress For Less buy from Charity shops and put money onttop and sell in their store. Why not cut them out and buy direct from charity shops. Making yourself more money. Then no need for benefits.
Dress for Less IS a charity shop fundraising for the IW Blind Society ( Sight for Wight )
Yes, it is a business and never have denied it. I often do buy from Charity shops and resell. What’s cheaper is to buy from people directly by buying bundles of clothing then sell them. But lately I have been focused on selling mainly calendars 🙂
As CEO of Dress for Less I can 100 % assure we are a charity shop. We do not buy in any items at all except 30 fascinators once a year. We do not BUY in and put a margin on. We sell clothes on people’s behalf under our 50 50 scheme and sell clothes that are donated. With only one member of staff I couldn’t be more proud of our very loyal hard working team of volunteers who work tirelessly for us and indeed the volunteers who work for the main charity Sight for Wight (the Isle of Wight society for the blind) to whom every single penny made goes to support. A huge thank you to our customers past, present and future without your support the charity wouldn’t be able to help do the vital work it does for its registered blind and partially sighted members THANK YOU… Read more »
Well said Lisa. I have been volunteering at Dress for Less for a few years now. A much needed shop here on the island, working for Sight for Wight and our lovely customers.