A woman has revealed how she transformed a “filthy” house covered with poo stains into her “dream home” after months of homelessness.
Charlotte Deering, 27, often hits the headlines with her “super savvy” hacks that are saving her a fortune – including buying family members toilet rolls as presents.
The mum-of-one, from Cheshire, who previously revealed that her wedding dress cost only £10 from Tesco, has now opened up about why she is so frugal.
Charlotte, along with her husband, Caine, 27, and their daughter, fell on tough times shortly after giving birth – and were homeless.
Now, they’ve got back on their feet and have turned a once “grubby” council home into their dream abode for less than £700.
“After I had a traumatic birth, and my mental health suffered, I had to move back in with family to take care of us,” the stay-at-home mum told What’sTheJam.com.
“It was only a one-bedroom flat, so we had to try and cram as much furniture in with us, but it was so cramped.
“A few weeks later, the landlord said it was unsafe to be so overcrowded, so told us to leave.
“For over two months, we were homeless and had to live between hostels.
“When we finally got given a home, it had dog poo stains all over the carpet and was filthy – but it was better than nothing.”
Charlotte, who grew up on a council estate, recalls having picnics on the floor as her family didn’t have anywhere to sit.
As she was determined not to let her family have the same fate, she began researching and contacting her local council for accommodation.
She said: “I remember not having much as a child, it was awful.
“But we made the best of a bad situation – and were just grateful to have somewhere to live.
“I felt worthless when my family was left in the same, if not worse, situation and so I tried to find us a suitable home.”
The mum decided to settle for the first home offered but had her doubts due to the “poor” condition it had been left in.
Charlotte said: “It reminded me of the home I grew up in and I thought things would’ve changed since then, but apparently not.
“I was so grateful to have somewhere to live, but it was a shock and very daunting having to navigate making it liveable with little-to-no money and a baby.”
She claims alongside poo on the carpets, there were holes in the bath and the garden had been littered with rubbish.
But in a bid to make the best of a bad situation, the mum decided to transform the home with second-hand goods – and a little DIY.
She said: “When we got the keys, it was amazing and it finally felt like things were falling into place.
“There was some light at the end of the tunnel and it kicked me into side hustling, as well as looking for the best bargains.
“My father-in-law, who is a decorator, painted the whole house and together, we made it into our dream home.”
Charlotte scored wallpaper for £3 from Dunelm, a free wardrobe from Facebook Marketplace, as well as a sofa, and crafted two storage units for only £50 from materials found in B&Q.
Now, she’s sharing her savvy tips and journey on Instagram (@themoneyferret ).
The mum added: “I love my home now and I’m incredibly grateful to have a roof over my head, even though it’s been hard work.
“It’s all been worth it and now, we’ve put our stamp on it to truly make it cosy.
“We’re so lucky.”
