How Shropshire's Poundland millionaire Steve Smith gets by on pocket money from his wife
As the founder of Poundland, Steve Smith is worth around £40 million and gave his parents £25 million when he sold the company to take up other interests.
Yet despite his super wealth, the businessman has admitted that he gets by on just £10 to £20 a day spending money – in the shape of pocket money from his wife, Tracy.
Mr Smith, 52, who lives in a 13-bedroom mansion near Bridgnorth, said: "The problem with me is that if I have any cash on me I spend it, so she'll give me about £10 or £20 a day."
He said he gave his parents millions when he sold the company in 2000, having built it up over 10 years from a market stall.
"The first thing I did was give my mum and dad half of it.
"My dad had lent me £50,000 to start the company so I suppose it was a good return for him," Mr Smith said.
"If it weren't for my dad learning the trade and passing it on to me then it wouldn't have happened."
Poundland opened its first shop in 1990 when Mr Smith was 18.
It now has more than 500 branches across the country, selling everything from toys to toiletries, stationery to shampoo and bread to biscuits.
Mr and Mrs Smith and their three children live in a home with an indoor swimming pool, a helicopter pad and five reception rooms.
Mr Smith is now selling the £6.5 million property through his own property investment company called Estates Direct.
He said the company saved sellers thousands of pounds on fees – and he still likes saving money himself.
Despite his vast wealth, Mr Smith claims to still fly economy class when he can and considers value-for-money when he is present buying.
He said: 'My wife loves jewellery. So I bought her a lovely … jewellery cleaner. She loves it. It was £120, very good value."
