Unemployed mum-of-four says hunting for cheap beauty deals is a ‘full-time job’ and she needs her £25k-a-year handouts to stay glam
Sammi, a single mum-of-four from Doncaster, sifts through sale rails and hits the local market for style gems
KEEPING up with the latest fashion and beauty trends can be an expensive task but one determined woman has found a way to stay glam despite her limited budget.
Sammi, a single mum-of-four from Doncaster, has dubbed herself “Bargain Barbie” thanks to her knack of bagging cheap deals on her £25,000-a-year benefits handout.
The thrifty 35-year-old, who has been out of work for six years, flaunted some of her best buys on the Channel 5 documentary On Benefits.
Sammi sifts through sale rails, hits the local market and visits vintage stores to find style gems.
“I love my dresses, not that I ever go anywhere to wear them, they are hung up with pride. This one was £2.50 off Donny market,” she said, showing off a glitzy frock.
“This one was the bargain of century,” she beamed, shoving a floral bodycon dress Lipsy in front of the camera.
“It was reduced from £69.99 to £6.50 at House Of Fraser. I thought I have got to have that - £6.50!”
Blonde Sammi only buys make-up that has been discounted and orders her waist-length hair extensions from China.
She said of the wig: “If you went to a shop and town and bought them they would be £25-35 but I get them from China for £3.”
Out-of-work Sammi says looking after her kids, who are all under the age of 10, and searching for discounted clothes and beauty products is a “full-time job”.
“My whole life revolves around hunting for the best offers and that is basically a full time job in itself,” she said.
“I can spend five hours a day running round all over trying to find a discount. I enjoy it. I should be a full-time bargain hunter.
“I am Pound Shop Barbie, the Pound Shop Queen. Bargain Barbie is on the prowl.”
To ensure she always looks her best, Sammi gets up an hour before her children every day to get ready.
“How are you going to get a job if you don't look good?” she said.
“You have got to look alright as they won't give a job to a dosser.”
Sammi left her position as a shop supervisor in 2000 when she first became pregnant and said she hasn't been able to find another job since that fits in around her children.
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She says the youngsters are her “number one priority” and leaving them is “difficult”.
Sammi added that life on the dole isn’t easy and people on benefits get unfairly criticised.
“A select group of people on benefits give everyone else a bad name,” she said.
“We all get tarred with the same brush and it is not fair. You don't see me sat in a bus stop drinking cider.”
On Benefits is on Channel 5 Thursday at 8pm