"I love the low prices at thrift stores, but I've heard there are tricks to scoring even bigger savings.Can you let me in on them?"

Great news: There are savvy ways to stretch your dollar even further at thrift stores—if you know what to look for. Here, thrifting experts share their insider secrets that will help you squeeze even more savings from every shopping trip.

- GABRIELLE LICHTERMAN

Spend less by going small “The best prices are usually at small, community-run thrift stores, like those operated by places of worship, hospitals and animal rescues,” says thrifting expert Kathleen Illustrated (YouTube.com/ @KathleenIllustrated). “They're often staffed by volunteers and have less square footage than big chains, which translates to lower overhead.” As a result, they pass the savings on to you.

Another perk of shopping small: You can score high-end finds for a rockbottom bargain. “People often donate to these shops to help support their cause, so they may give away valuable items like designer clothing,” she explains, adding that because staff aren’t always trained to spot luxury brands, you might come across something like a designer dress that sells new for $1,200 but is priced under $20.

Find thrift stores by logging on to ChatGPT.com and asking, “What are small nonprofit thrift stores near [your city]?” Then bring your phone to search online for labels and resale values so you don’t miss a hidden gem.