In the early 1940s, the Royal Mint replaced the familiar image of a portcullis on the threepenny coin with a thrift plant. This was part of the government’s campaign reminding the public of the need f

Hannah Betts argues that styling rather than buying is the thing

Our charity shop goes upmarket

HOW on earth had she managed to accumulate so many clothes? Carole stood in her spare room feeling overwhelmed. Piles of garments she’d taken from the fitted wardrobe now lay on the bed. She’d woken u

Q Is there a cheap way to freshen up the outfits I’m getting tired of? Gina Ronson, Merseyside A Let me introduce the humble triangle scarf. You may have seen this nifty accessory already on the high

LOUISE AND PETER PROVE THAT BIG CHARACTER DOESN’T NEED A BIG BUDGET – JUST PLENTY OF RECLAIMED FINDS, CLEVER TWEAKS AND A LITTLE DIY KNOW-HOW