National Lottery winners’ HUGE £6.6m prize had ‘strange’ effect on spending habits – as couple plan to downsize home

A Yorkshire couple who were selling their belongings at a car boot sale when they won £6.6m on the National Lottery have admitted that they remained remarkably frugal in their spending habits – and are now planning to downsize their home.

Amanda and Graham Nield, from Wakefield, had been working at a carpet factory and playing the lottery since its launch in 1994.

Despite bagging the huge win in 2013, the couple have now decided to downsize their five-bed home to a three-bed property.

The windfall enabled the Nields to retire immediately from their factory jobs.

“We came home from the car boot sale and sat on our last bit of furniture, two computer chairs,” Amanda told MailOnline.

“Then Graham checked the ticket numbers on his phone and said he thought we’d won. I don’t spend thousands on designer clothes.

“If I like a jumper and it’s £30, I’ll buy it. But I wouldn’t if it was £300.”

The couple’s thrifty nature is attributed to Graham’s Yorkshire roots, with Amanda noting: “If there’s a bargain to have, he’ll have it!”

“It’s very strange because before we won the Lottery I used to say to Graham I’d be going straight to Paris on a shopping spree or point out cars and houses I’d buy the next day if I won,” Amanda said.

In 2014, they built a bungalow with an annexe, allowing them to care for Amanda’s parents in their later years.

While avoiding extravagant purchases, they have allowed themselves some modest indulgences, including a new Nissan Pathfinder.

Amanda has also used the money for meaningful experiences, such as flying abroad to visit one of her best friends.

The couple, who have five children and 18 grandchildren between them from previous marriages, tied the knot just one month after their win.

Despite their newfound wealth, they opted for a modest ceremony at their local registry office.

The duo said they continue to search for bargains and maintain a grounded approach with their extended family.

“We do try to keep grounded,” Amanda said.

“I feel some people who have money or inherited it can sometimes get a bit above themselves.”