Becky Chorlton, 28, started sharing her charity shop finds and bargain hunting adventures on socials on a whim – but nearly half a million followers later, it's become her full-time job12:17, 25 Jul 2026Influencer on the hunt for bargain Jellycats at car boot sale There's no denying that in recent years, getting bargains from charity shops, car boot sales, and sites like Vinted has become far more popular, with many people desperate to find something at a great price, either to keep or sell on.‌And when Becky Chorlton started thrifting in her teens, the now 28-year-old could never have imagined she'd actually manage to make the gig her career. She just really enjoyed sifting through other people's trash, hoping to find her treasures. Becky, from Cheshire, started posting on social media on a whim, as she wanted to remember all the great times she had with her mum while thrifting. But almost half a million followers later, she's one of the most admired and beloved thrifting accounts on social media, and people can't get enough of her down-to-earth content.‌Becky told Mirror: "My favourite thing is that you'll never know what you're going to find. It gives you an adrenaline rush like no other, and it's so much fun.‌"It allows me to spend quality time with my mum, and I find unique items at a fraction of the price, which always feels good."Why did Becky start posting thrifting content on TikTok?She added: "I started posting on TikTok because my mum and I were having so much fun on our thrifting adventures and I wanted to document and share it."‌"Never in a million years did I think I would have this many people who like watching my videos, and I certainly didn't expect it to become my job."She continued: "I feel extremely lucky and grateful for all of the love and support. Thrifting, saving money and creating content is a huge passion of mine, so it's great to combine them and the fact that I've built a community of people who also love it is genuinely amazing."Becky also cherishes the sense of community she's discovered through thrifting — and it's the primary reason she's so passionate about it.‌The savvy bargain hunter said: "I love the people I meet while thrifting. I have friends who I chat to when I go to the car boot sale or charity shops, and they're the most wonderfully crazy people on the planet. Working for myself can be quite lonely, so it's lovely to meet new people and have a chinwag every week."The good, the bad, and the ugly of thrifting...It's not all plain sailing, though, as Becky has stumbled across some truly revolting items during her thrifting adventures. She revealed some of the most unpleasant things she's ever encountered are "out-of-date food, haunted dolls, and used underwear," admitting the very thought of it turned her stomach.‌That said, Becky has unearthed some incredible deals over the years, with a cabinet and a wedding guest outfit among her most treasured finds.She concluded: "We got a little cabinet for our home from the car boot for £3. We use it to keep our teas in, and it genuinely makes me smile every time I pass it."Also, our dining room table. We got this for £120 from Facebook Marketplace. It was such a bargain for an 8-seater farmhouse-style table, and it fits our home perfectly.Article continues below"And the perfect wedding guest dress, which I bought from Vinted for £40. I feel a million dollars when I wear it."How can you make the most of your trips out thrifting?Plan & budget: Pick your targets (clothes/home/kids), set a spend limit, and bring cash/coins.Time it right: Go early for the best choice, late for the best bargains (especially at car boots).Bring the basics: Reusable bags, tape measure, wipes/sanitiser, phone charger, comfy shoes/layers.Shop smart: Do a quick first lap, check 'new in' rails in charity shops, bundle items to negotiate.Check & commit: Inspect for damage/missing parts, avoid “fixer-uppers” you won’t repair, walk away if unsure.