This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cre80e9l4pwo
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Norfolk content creator Caroline Butler on the thrill of bargains | |
| (2 days later) | |
| Caroline Butler believes she got her love of thrifting from her parents | Caroline Butler believes she got her love of thrifting from her parents |
| A self-confessed bargain hunter said the "thrill of the thrift" led to her giving up her regular job and becoming a full-time social media creator. | A self-confessed bargain hunter said the "thrill of the thrift" led to her giving up her regular job and becoming a full-time social media creator. |
| Caroline Butler, from south Norfolk, documents her love of charity shops online under the social media handle Caroline.Shops. | Caroline Butler, from south Norfolk, documents her love of charity shops online under the social media handle Caroline.Shops. |
| She said "incredible bargains" found in the diverse world of thrifting could range from pink heels to a didgeridoo. | She said "incredible bargains" found in the diverse world of thrifting could range from pink heels to a didgeridoo. |
| Ms Butler, a former social media manager and copywriter, said combining the use of social media with her passion was helping her to "reach out to so many different people". | Ms Butler, a former social media manager and copywriter, said combining the use of social media with her passion was helping her to "reach out to so many different people". |
| Ms Butler, who has alopecia, said she loves to wear wigs as they were a great way to change her look | Ms Butler, who has alopecia, said she loves to wear wigs as they were a great way to change her look |
| She quit her job last week having acquired 20 years' worth of experience using social media professionally. | She quit her job last week having acquired 20 years' worth of experience using social media professionally. |
| It followed Ms Butler beginning to "explore other avenues" after being furloughed from a previous job during the first Covid-19 lockdown in 2020. | It followed Ms Butler beginning to "explore other avenues" after being furloughed from a previous job during the first Covid-19 lockdown in 2020. |
| This led to her dabbling in TikTok and "channelling something I was passionate about". | This led to her dabbling in TikTok and "channelling something I was passionate about". |
| Ms Butler said from a young age she had always been a "savvy shopper", explaining: "It was my foundation, I was brought up to be careful with the pennies." | Ms Butler said from a young age she had always been a "savvy shopper", explaining: "It was my foundation, I was brought up to be careful with the pennies." |
| Caroline's thrifting has seen her purchase a Dr Martens satchel worth £150 for £7 and a Sadler teapot worth more than £100 for just £1 | Caroline's thrifting has seen her purchase a Dr Martens satchel worth £150 for £7 and a Sadler teapot worth more than £100 for just £1 |
| Inspired by people showing off their purchases in "shopping haul" videos, she once decided to put on "a bit of a show" with her latest B&M purchases. | Inspired by people showing off their purchases in "shopping haul" videos, she once decided to put on "a bit of a show" with her latest B&M purchases. |
| It attracted "quite a few likes", leading her to focus on acquiring high quality goods at "mega cheap" prices from charity shops. | It attracted "quite a few likes", leading her to focus on acquiring high quality goods at "mega cheap" prices from charity shops. |
| However, it was not just bargains that Ms Butler wanted to promote. | However, it was not just bargains that Ms Butler wanted to promote. |
| "My focus was about thrifting, but [also] incorporating female empowerment, giving women a voice and connecting with the people who follow me," she said. | "My focus was about thrifting, but [also] incorporating female empowerment, giving women a voice and connecting with the people who follow me," she said. |
| "I've spoken about smear tests, going to hospital for potential skin cancer, breast cancer and saving money. | "I've spoken about smear tests, going to hospital for potential skin cancer, breast cancer and saving money. |
| "I know a lot of people who follow me don't have stacks of money, so I want to help them." | "I know a lot of people who follow me don't have stacks of money, so I want to help them." |
| Caroline said her best "charity find" was Annie, her pet dog who she rehomed from the Dogs Trust in Snetterton in 2022 | Caroline said her best "charity find" was Annie, her pet dog who she rehomed from the Dogs Trust in Snetterton in 2022 |
| Although she did resell some of her purchases, it was not her main goal. By her own admission, Ms Butler was a "selective hoarder". | Although she did resell some of her purchases, it was not her main goal. By her own admission, Ms Butler was a "selective hoarder". |
| "If I buy a coat, I'll wear that and then the next year I might re-donate it and buy something else," she explained. | "If I buy a coat, I'll wear that and then the next year I might re-donate it and buy something else," she explained. |
| "The difference [from online sellers] is I enjoy going to charity shops, I never know what I'm going to get. | "The difference [from online sellers] is I enjoy going to charity shops, I never know what I'm going to get. |
| "You can find the most weird and random things, it's part of the thrill of the thrift. | "You can find the most weird and random things, it's part of the thrill of the thrift. |
| "You can find a didgeridoo and a pink pair of patent heeled shoes in the same shop. | "You can find a didgeridoo and a pink pair of patent heeled shoes in the same shop. |
| "I'll have a rumble and find things I never knew I needed or wanted, and that's why I love it." | "I'll have a rumble and find things I never knew I needed or wanted, and that's why I love it." |
| Caroline believes over the past few years there has been a "resurgence" in charity shops as the younger generations are into sustainability. | Caroline believes over the past few years there has been a "resurgence" in charity shops as the younger generations are into sustainability. |
| She has since amassed 165,000 followers on TikTok and almost 10,000 on Instagram. | She has since amassed 165,000 followers on TikTok and almost 10,000 on Instagram. |
| Ms Butler said she wanted to use her platform to support the domestic violence support group Dawn's New Horizon. | Ms Butler said she wanted to use her platform to support the domestic violence support group Dawn's New Horizon. |
| She added: "I get so many women, saying how I have actively helped them as I talk about difficult issues." | She added: "I get so many women, saying how I have actively helped them as I talk about difficult issues." |
| Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. | |
Previous version
1
Next version