Kylie Minogue's charity shop spree

Australian singer Kylie Minogue poses during a promotional event for the movie "Blue" in Mumbai March 6, 2009. Minogue is in Mumbai to work on a music video for the film, which stars Bollywood actors Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Katrina Kaif, Lara Dutta and Zayed Khan. The movie has its music scored by Oscar winner A R Rahman. Picture taken March 6, 2009. [Agencies]

Kylie Minogue stunned shoppers during a recent clothes buying spree - at her local charity shop.

The '2 Hearts' singer splashed out less than $40 on two dresses, a skirt and a hat from the Melbourne Salvation Army store in her native Australia.

Shop manager Natasha Scott said: "She was hiding under a hat and had the trademark big sunglasses on, but she still looked great.

"She looked happy as she browsed around before buying a couple of summery dresses, a trendy little hat with a peak and a skirt. All up, she spent under $40."

This is not the first time Kylie, 40, has been seen picking up a bargain.

In 2006, she was spotted at vintage clothing store Shag in Melbourne, where the thrifty star asked staff to put aside some inexpensive items to pick up later in the week when she had cash.

Kylie is the latest star cutting costs during the current economic crisis.

'Ugly Betty' actress America Ferrera has put her lavish Hollywood home on the market and is hoping to downsize to a smaller New York apartment.

Miley Cyrus was recently spotted browsing sale racks at Kitson boutique, deciding on a $14 T-shirt and a $56 pair of jeans, while Britney Spears has reportedly downgraded her luxury car to a Mitsubishi.