text: The founder of Poundland who grew up with the family motto 'if you don't work you don't eat' has revealed how he gave his parents £25million when he sold the company – but still relies on pocket money from his wife. Steve Smith, 52, grew up helping his father run a stall at Bilston market in the West Midlands, and opened his first Poundland shop in Burton-upon-Trent at the age of 18 in 1990. The venture was an overnight success and he became a self-made millionaire when he sold the company for a staggering £50million 10 years later. Scroll down for video . Steve Smith, 52, (pictured outside his £6.5million Shropshire mansion) opened his first Poundland shop in Burton-upon-Trent at the age of 18 in 1990 and sold the firm 10 years later for a staggering £50million . When he sold Poundland (pictured) in 2000, Mr Smith gave half of his profits - £25million - to his parents. He said he wanted to repay his father's initial loan of £50,000 which helped him start the company at just 18 . Today, Mr Smith lives in a 13-bedroom mansion in Shropshire, which comes complete with its own swimming pool, snooker room and pub, having successfully launched poundshop.com - an online version of Poundland. Yet, he still receives 'pocket money' from his wife Tracy, with whom he has three children: Joe, Ashley and Katie. He told The Telegraph: 'On a day-to-day basis my wife gives me a little pocket money. 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.' His daily hand-out is a fraction of his estimated £40million worth, having successfully invested his money in other business ventures and property since making his fortune in the 1990s. With more than 500 stores in the UK - more than double the number it had five years ago – Poundland has gone from strength-to-strength selling everything from toys to toiletries, stationery to shampoo and bread to biscuits. But Mr Smith decided to sell his firm in 2000 and gave his parents half of the profit from the sale when he did so. He said he wanted to repay his father's initial loan of £50,000 which helped him start the company. He told the newspaper: '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. 'If it weren't for my dad learning the trade and passing it on to me then it wouldn't have happened.' He previously said he knew Poundland would be a success because 'people love a bargain'. He said: 'They love the unknown. They liked to rummage. 'In Poundland, we bought stock from all over the world — golf clubs, fantastic products. It was great value for money, and that is what motivates me. I love giving the public value for money.' As well as sharing his wealth among his family, Mr Smith also used part of his Poundland profits to snap up Hammer Hill House, a sprawling mansion near Bridgnorth, Shropshire, 14 years ago. Mr Smith, 52, lives in a 13-bedroom mansion in Shropshire, which comes complete with its own swimming pool, snooker room, pub, five grand reception rooms, dancefloor, helicopter bed and 30 acres of countryside . Despite his wealth, Mr Smith has admitted that he still receives 'pocket money' from his wife Tracy, with whom he has three children: Joe, Ashley and Katie. Pictured: Inside the mansion he shares with his family . Mr Smith used part of his Poundland profits to snap up Hammer Hill House, a sprawling mansion near Bridgnorth, Shropshire, 14 years ago. He has since spent millions doubling the size of the 15,000 sq.ft house . His 13-bedroom home also features an indoor swimming pool, a helicopter pad and five reception rooms . The property was originally designed by Sir Bertram Clough Williams-Ellis, who famously created the Italianate village of Portmeirion in North Wales. But after Mr Smith moved in, he soon started to put his own spin on it and set out to double the size of the house. The mansion is now 15,000 sq.ft. with 80 windows and boasts its own indoor swimming pool, helicopter pad, indoor dancefloor with disco lights, a snooker room, five reception rooms and an 18-seat walnut dining table. Set in almost 30 acres of rolling countryside, there is also a host of expensive vehicles parked outside the property including a white Rolls-Royce. Mr Smith recently put the property on the market, having spent millions refurbishing it, as he and his wife want to downsize now their children are reaching their late teens and twenties. He said: 'The house is very special to us and it will be a real wrench for us to leave. 'We began refurbishing the home in 2000 and finally finished it in 2007. It was a real labour of love and no expense was spared. Mr Smith is particularly pleased with his full bar (pictured) in his mansion. He said: 'I especially love our home pub with a fully stocked bar. It's really unique and we've had some great parties there.' Set in almost 30 acres of rolling countryside, his mansion also boasts its own indoor swimming pool, helicopter pad, dancefloor with lights, a snooker room, reception rooms and an 18-seat walnut dining table . With more than 500 stores in the UK - more than double the number it had five years ago – Poundland has gone from strength-to-strength, making Mr Smith a self-made millionaire. Pictured: His Shropshire mansion . Mr Smith recently put his sprawling mansion on the market for £6.5million, having spent millions refurbishing it, as he and his wife want to downsize now their children are older and moving into their own homes . 'I especially love our home pub with a fully stocked bar. It's really unique and we've had some great parties there.' The multi-millionaire is selling his home via his own property investment company called Estates Direct - an online house-selling service that aims to cut out 'rip-off' estate agents and their fees. He estimates that he has saved the public over £2million, breaking it down to a saving of about £3,000 per home, with the estate agency service. 'I love hearing they have spent the money on something like a new kitchen instead,' he said. Despite his flash purchases, saving money is something which Mr Smith still does himself too. He claims to still fly economy class when he can and considers value-for-money when he is present buying. Speaking of a previous thrifty Christmas present for his wife, he said: 'My wife loves jewellery. So I bought her a lovely…Jewellery cleaner. She loves it. It was £120, very good value.'
target: Steve Smith became a self-made multi-millionaire with birth of Poundland .
  52-year-old started life in business on his parents' Saturday market stall .
  He opened first Poundland shop in 1990 when he was just 18-years-old .
  Sold the firm for £50million in 2000 and gave half the profits to his parents .
  Despite his wealth, his wife Tracy gives him '£10 - £20 pocket money daily'