A savvy woman has revealed the items found while skip diving through people’s rubbish and says she gifts them to family and friends.
Caroline Butler, a “professional thrifter” and charity shop expert, often hits the headlines due to her frugal tips and tricks on how to score the best bargains.
The 47-year-old from Norfolk. has previously revealed how she scored over £130 worth of brand new clothing for only £15.
Now, she’s turned to rummaging through skips – otherwise known as skip diving – to make someone else’s trash into treasure and says her finds are mostly used around her home – or as gifts to keep spending minimal.
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“Don’t be afraid to look in skips – especially in affluent areas – as a lot of the time, things only need a good clean to make them good as new,” the social media manager told What’s The Jam.
“Getting items [from here] not only helps your pocket, but it also helps the environment, as it saves things from going to landfill.
“Very often, shops are happy for you to take things out of the skips and bins, but always remember to ask first.
“I’ve given some items as gifts before, but cleaning them first, and other items I donate to charity shops.”
Caroline, who was inspired as a child to be frugal, began focusing on finding and using second-hand items when she was struggling financially four years ago.
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After visiting jumble sales and car boot sales, she noticed the amount of “like new” items also found outside people’s homes.
Her most notable find? An electronic pink ride-on Fiat 500 worth up to £200.
She said: “The people had just moved into the house down the road with a skip outside and were clearing away items that the previous owner had left behind.
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“I put a note through the letterbox asking if it was okay to take the car away, and knocked several times, and then they sent a text saying they were delighted for me to take the car away.
“All it needed was a new battery, which cost no more than £10.
“It seemed such a waste for it to go to landfill and I knew it could surely be put to better use.”
In a clip posted on TikTok, which racked up £28,000 views and hundreds likes, she reveals its new owner – her 14-year-old Jack Russell, Annie, who is pictured posing in the ride-on car.
Users have flocked to the comments to share their reactions, with many people impressed with the upcycle.
“Amazes me what the wealthy throw away,” one person commented.
Fiona said: “It looks brand new.”
“It’s nicer than my actual car,” someone else added.
Tamie said: “That’s so awesome. People often throw those away instead of fixing or donating.”
Another user added: “It amazes me what people throw away.”
Caroline, who eventually gifted the children’s toy car as a present to a family member, has also found picture frames, lights, ornaments and even clothing through skip diving.
She added: “It’s amazing what you can find that other people don’t want – but someone else’s trash is another’s treasure.”
