Lissy Clow is a seasoned second-hand shopper who regularly documents her charity shop finds - but she warns there's one common habit that could be costing you more than you realise14:20, 03 Jun 2026When it comes to shopping, few things beat discovering a charity shop bargain, and if you're a seasoned thrifter, you'll undoubtedly know what to seek out and which locations are most likely to yield results. That's 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.‌Content cannot be displayed without consent‌Spending 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".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's available.‌Lissy insists there's a fine balance between getting swept up in the excitement and identifying a genuine bargain, however."We're now in a time where buying second-hand is more accessible than ever," she told Newsweek. "That accessibility is wonderful, but it's exactly what's 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's 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.Consequently, Lissy offers two key recommendations - question whether the item you're considering is genuinely appealing or simply inexpensive, and assess whether you're 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?Article continues below"A bargain you'll never wear isn't a bargain," Lissy concluded. "It's just cheaper clutter, and it's the fastest way to waste money while feeling like you're 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."