A charity shop expert has warned of a thrifting 'habit' to be wary of when bargain hunting. Lissy Clow, a seasoned second-hand shopper who regularly documents her charity shop finds, says there is one common habit that could be costing you more than you realise.
The Pitfall of Impulse Buying
When it comes to shopping, few things beat discovering a charity shop bargain, and if you are a seasoned thrifter, you will undoubtedly know what to seek out and which locations are most likely to yield results. That is certainly true for Lissy Clow, who has become something of an authority on pre-loved items.
American-born Lissy, who lives in London, frequently shares her charity shop adventures on social media. In one TikTok video, she described visiting the 'biggest charity shop I could find' — a Cancer Research UK superstore in Stevenage. 'It was the biggest charity shop I have ever been to and the prices were right — everything was under £5,' she revealed.
Spending around three hours browsing the shop 'truly felt like therapy', according to Lissy, who purchased a range of clothing and homeware pieces before returning to the capital. When it comes to expenditure, though, Lissy highlights one particular habit that could lead to you 'wasting money'.
The Rise of Second-Hand Shopping
According to ThredUp's latest Resale Report, 58 per cent of shoppers purchased second-hand clothing in 2025, with younger generations taking full advantage of what is available. Lissy insists there is a fine balance between getting swept up in the excitement and identifying a genuine bargain, however.
'We are now in a time where buying second-hand is more accessible than ever,' she told Newsweek. 'That accessibility is wonderful, but it is exactly what is quietly turning bargain-hunting into a bad spending habit for a lot of people.'
Lissy went on to suggest there are additional shopping pitfalls that numerous customers fall into — particularly chasing current trends, purchasing items for single occasions, and browsing aimlessly without any specific purpose. 'They go in with no focus and no idea what is missing from their wardrobe — so they end up 'saving' money on a fourth white blouse with the same collar/details as the three they already own,' she added.
Two Key Recommendations
Consequently, Lissy offers two key recommendations: question whether the item you are considering is genuinely appealing or simply inexpensive, and assess whether you are responding to the price tag, the brand name, or the excitement of finding a deal. Additionally, would you genuinely wear the piece in everyday life, or has the excitement of bargain hunting merely clouded your judgement?
'A bargain you will never wear is not a bargain,' Lissy concluded. 'It is just cheaper clutter, and it is the fastest way to waste money while feeling like you are being savvy and shopping sustainably.'
Responding to her video, one TikTok user declared: 'Wow that looks like heaven.' And a second person exclaimed: 'This is my ideal day out.'
