I use CL to buy and sell all the time. Whenever I have something we no longer need, I list it on CL. I recently bought a vintage sewing machine for our household for $20. It was a steal.
Good article... I found that part about drinking water instead of pop quite interesting. To think that you save $800 a year for a family of four, not to mention the health benefits associated with it. I only order water, unless the girlfriend and I are having a rough day and feel like having a maragarita (such as last night at dinner).
However, I disagree with paying $5 a gallon for gas now...especially since the media (and the treasury, amongst others) have been telling us that we will be north of $5 a gallon for about 8 years now, and it has yet to come to fruition.
Also, I'm torn on your "pay with cash" method. I agree that some people cannot control themselves when it comes to credit cards, I myself have fallen in this trap. However, the rewards, and cash back discounts cannot be ignored. Using my discover card I get 5% back on most of my purchases. I would say I average about $500 back a year on expenses I wouldve made regardless. Combine that with the $800 you save on ordering water, and you almost have your vacation budget fulfilled.
I have used it once, to sell something. The buyer was happy, and as the seller, I was happy, and it worked very well. I would only do it for something local, I think.
ALL THE TIME. We just got married, and instead of spending loads of money buying new furniture, we've been trying to find pieces on craigslist that we can tweak and make our own. Love it!
What, no mention of 'garlic toast'? Kind of like garlic bread or texas toast -- just take your stale bread slices, spread them with olive oil/margarine/butter/what-have-you, sprinkle with salt and spices (garlic powder/dried basil/oregano/etc), maybe a little parmesan if you have it around, wrapping all the slices in some aluminum foil and baking for a few minutes to heat it all up. This is a great accompaniment to any meal, but in particular spaghetti plus soup of all kinds...
I use craigslist to find random things in the local area. I built a smoker and needed wood for the actual smoke. Hardware stores were selling the wood chips for $7-8 for a small bag. I found a guy on craigslist who was selling 50lb bags of wood for $10. yay internet
Yes I use Craigslist. I have only used it for baby items so far. The way I don't get ripped off is by extensively researching what I'm buying. There are two deals that jump out to me as really great finds. The first is my Bugaboo stroller. It retails for around 900$ Hubs and I found one for 300 on Craigslist. I LOVE this stroller. The only thing wrong with it is a little wear and tear. No biggie. The second deal was actually gotten for us by a friend. Babies-R-Us was having their trade in event. The jist is you trade in an old piece of baby equipment for a discount on a new one. This wonderful friend found us a free pack and play on Craigslist and we traded that in on a very nice discount for the car seat. We saved around 50$ for turning it in.
Best Deal(s): all the odd jobs helping people relocate or helping with landscaping work has helped me earn some serious "windfall" cash to put toward an engagement ring for the lady :)
Worst Deal: I got scammed once while hunting for an apt to rent, someone wanted me to pay the security deposit on a home they didn't own. I searched for the home through a real estate agent, visited and learned it wasn't for rent and the REAL owner still lived there. My tip: the advice given on Craigslist is there for a reason, so just be careful.
I've used Craigslist and know there're good deals available; we got one great deal. However, personal experience and friends' experience also highlights the importance of buyer caution.
A helpful method I learned to find the best price is to use the Edmunds.com message board and http://www.truecar.com to find the lowest price that people are paying for the car I wanted. Then you know the best price you can really expect to pay, rather than the made up dealer prices.
@Phillip: I know because I read your blog. I want the option to buy into Medicare. It will strengthen the system to have healthy people like me pay into it and I'd rather pay into a program that helps other Americans and strengthens a program that I will also need sooner or later rather than enrich private companies and CEOs. I've never been given an satisfactory explanation why I can't have this option.
Good article! I have a few additional pointers, though:
- Wondering in which category to post your ad? Pick the most appropriate category. A baby's crib is Furniture, but people looking for them are browsing Baby + Kids. Put your ad in Baby + Kids.
- Combining items in an ad is fine IF they fall into the same category. A crib and a playpen go together fine in one ad; a crib and a silk plant; not so much. It's more work, but you may miss customers by lumping them together.
- Finally, consider your own safety when exchanging money and items. Many people feel more comfortable meeting in a public place; offer this to prospective buyers. If it's not something you can take with you (piano, TV you want to demonstrate), invite people to your home only once you've talked or emailed with them a bit. The vast majority of craigslisters I've dealt with have been just fine. But every now and then there's someone who would be way out there with or without craigslist; be careful.
That post got a lot of negative comments from people who seemed to think that wanting to be able to get insurance—real insurance that would protect my family from bankruptcy in the event of serious injury or illness—was somehow expecting other people to pay for my health care.
Thanks, C.J. I have had the same reaction to the Sheen fiasco. Typically, I ignore entertainment fodder like this, but for some reason, I can't get enough of the Sheen story. It's just so completely unbelievable. I seem to recall the number one rule of fame being, "Never buy into your own hype." Charlie hasn't learned how to handle fame with grace. Yes, he's rich and successful. But just like the prettiest girl in high school, looks, money and fame all fade. What's left is the content of one's character, and he's showing his lack of content at this moment.
We'll see how long the fame and money last.
@CHRISTIE STRUCK: Until medical bankruptcies are taken out of the equation completely, nobody has any business moralizing about this issue. The medical "system" in this country is the disgrace of the free world and labels us for the hypocrites that we are as a people. So that corporations may maximize profit, we allow people to fall willy-nilly into penury and die--all the while proclaiming we are the greatest country on earth. Feh!
I am self-empoyed and live very frugally (with no debt at all) but I realize the sword of Damocles hangs over my head at all times. I think most employed Americans don't get this but one day soon, many will find out the hard way.
I got a "student" credit card at age 17 or 18. It had a $500.00 credit limit.
I quickly upgraded to another card but still keep my "student" card for keeping myself in check. I use it for household purchases and things like online shopping. You can't get that far in credit card debt if you only have $500.00 to spend!
I hate when I filter out by ads that don't have pictures only to find someone who posts their phone number as a picture with no other images in the ad. Really annoying.
Great post. I love the sarcastic subtext beneath some very sound advice! I've been following the Sheen disaster as if I were rubber-necking at an accident on the highway. It's just unbelieveable. His money has gone to his head in a big way. Makes me all the more thankful for the few example of people who get rich gracefully. Thanks for the frugal tips. I love the mini-vacation idea, and my kids LOVE tent camping. We do it in the backyard sometimes in the summer, and they seem to have as much fun (or more) than if we were doing expensive things. We've all learned that you don't need to spend money to have fun....you just need to enjoy who you're with.
I use CL to buy and sell all the time. Whenever I have something we no longer need, I list it on CL. I recently bought a vintage sewing machine for our household for $20. It was a steal.
Yup, I love Craigslist!
Good article... I found that part about drinking water instead of pop quite interesting. To think that you save $800 a year for a family of four, not to mention the health benefits associated with it. I only order water, unless the girlfriend and I are having a rough day and feel like having a maragarita (such as last night at dinner).
However, I disagree with paying $5 a gallon for gas now...especially since the media (and the treasury, amongst others) have been telling us that we will be north of $5 a gallon for about 8 years now, and it has yet to come to fruition.
Also, I'm torn on your "pay with cash" method. I agree that some people cannot control themselves when it comes to credit cards, I myself have fallen in this trap. However, the rewards, and cash back discounts cannot be ignored. Using my discover card I get 5% back on most of my purchases. I would say I average about $500 back a year on expenses I wouldve made regardless. Combine that with the $800 you save on ordering water, and you almost have your vacation budget fulfilled.
Come check out my new personal finance blog www.moneyistheroot.com
I have used it once, to sell something. The buyer was happy, and as the seller, I was happy, and it worked very well. I would only do it for something local, I think.
ALL THE TIME. We just got married, and instead of spending loads of money buying new furniture, we've been trying to find pieces on craigslist that we can tweak and make our own. Love it!
What, no mention of 'garlic toast'? Kind of like garlic bread or texas toast -- just take your stale bread slices, spread them with olive oil/margarine/butter/what-have-you, sprinkle with salt and spices (garlic powder/dried basil/oregano/etc), maybe a little parmesan if you have it around, wrapping all the slices in some aluminum foil and baking for a few minutes to heat it all up. This is a great accompaniment to any meal, but in particular spaghetti plus soup of all kinds...
I use craigslist to find random things in the local area. I built a smoker and needed wood for the actual smoke. Hardware stores were selling the wood chips for $7-8 for a small bag. I found a guy on craigslist who was selling 50lb bags of wood for $10. yay internet
Yes I use Craigslist. I have only used it for baby items so far. The way I don't get ripped off is by extensively researching what I'm buying. There are two deals that jump out to me as really great finds. The first is my Bugaboo stroller. It retails for around 900$ Hubs and I found one for 300 on Craigslist. I LOVE this stroller. The only thing wrong with it is a little wear and tear. No biggie. The second deal was actually gotten for us by a friend. Babies-R-Us was having their trade in event. The jist is you trade in an old piece of baby equipment for a discount on a new one. This wonderful friend found us a free pack and play on Craigslist and we traded that in on a very nice discount for the car seat. We saved around 50$ for turning it in.
I've bought two bird cages from craigslist in anticipation of the bird we'rewanting to buy soon.
I'm also selling my husband's car on there right now since we don't use it now that we live in a city with great public transit.
Best Deal(s): all the odd jobs helping people relocate or helping with landscaping work has helped me earn some serious "windfall" cash to put toward an engagement ring for the lady :)
Worst Deal: I got scammed once while hunting for an apt to rent, someone wanted me to pay the security deposit on a home they didn't own. I searched for the home through a real estate agent, visited and learned it wasn't for rent and the REAL owner still lived there. My tip: the advice given on Craigslist is there for a reason, so just be careful.
I've used Craigslist and know there're good deals available; we got one great deal. However, personal experience and friends' experience also highlights the importance of buyer caution.
A helpful method I learned to find the best price is to use the Edmunds.com message board and http://www.truecar.com to find the lowest price that people are paying for the car I wanted. Then you know the best price you can really expect to pay, rather than the made up dealer prices.
One way I try to save money on entertainment is getting to the movie theater early. That always saves a few bucks on the weekend.
Be careful on Etsy. I know of several sellers getting stuck with buyers saying product not as advertised. In theory the site is wonderful.
@Phillip: I know because I read your blog. I want the option to buy into Medicare. It will strengthen the system to have healthy people like me pay into it and I'd rather pay into a program that helps other Americans and strengthens a program that I will also need sooner or later rather than enrich private companies and CEOs. I've never been given an satisfactory explanation why I can't have this option.
Good article! I have a few additional pointers, though:
- Wondering in which category to post your ad? Pick the most appropriate category. A baby's crib is Furniture, but people looking for them are browsing Baby + Kids. Put your ad in Baby + Kids.
- Combining items in an ad is fine IF they fall into the same category. A crib and a playpen go together fine in one ad; a crib and a silk plant; not so much. It's more work, but you may miss customers by lumping them together.
- Finally, consider your own safety when exchanging money and items. Many people feel more comfortable meeting in a public place; offer this to prospective buyers. If it's not something you can take with you (piano, TV you want to demonstrate), invite people to your home only once you've talked or emailed with them a bit. The vast majority of craigslisters I've dealt with have been just fine. But every now and then there's someone who would be way out there with or without craigslist; be careful.
Yeah. I've written about this here on Wise Bread as well:
http://www.wisebread.com/not-free-to-be-poor
That post got a lot of negative comments from people who seemed to think that wanting to be able to get insurance—real insurance that would protect my family from bankruptcy in the event of serious injury or illness—was somehow expecting other people to pay for my health care.
Thanks, C.J. I have had the same reaction to the Sheen fiasco. Typically, I ignore entertainment fodder like this, but for some reason, I can't get enough of the Sheen story. It's just so completely unbelievable. I seem to recall the number one rule of fame being, "Never buy into your own hype." Charlie hasn't learned how to handle fame with grace. Yes, he's rich and successful. But just like the prettiest girl in high school, looks, money and fame all fade. What's left is the content of one's character, and he's showing his lack of content at this moment.
We'll see how long the fame and money last.
Kevin, I absolutely will NOT be trying it. Nope. Uh uh. But I appreciate your frugal sense of adventure as well as your hands-on-edness.
@CHRISTIE STRUCK: Until medical bankruptcies are taken out of the equation completely, nobody has any business moralizing about this issue. The medical "system" in this country is the disgrace of the free world and labels us for the hypocrites that we are as a people. So that corporations may maximize profit, we allow people to fall willy-nilly into penury and die--all the while proclaiming we are the greatest country on earth. Feh!
I am self-empoyed and live very frugally (with no debt at all) but I realize the sword of Damocles hangs over my head at all times. I think most employed Americans don't get this but one day soon, many will find out the hard way.
I got a "student" credit card at age 17 or 18. It had a $500.00 credit limit.
I quickly upgraded to another card but still keep my "student" card for keeping myself in check. I use it for household purchases and things like online shopping. You can't get that far in credit card debt if you only have $500.00 to spend!
You could always bake your own... much cheaper. Of course it takes some time.
I hate when I filter out by ads that don't have pictures only to find someone who posts their phone number as a picture with no other images in the ad. Really annoying.
I've bought and sold on Craigslist a number of times and these tips are right on. I would add this to the picture section: post
Great post. I love the sarcastic subtext beneath some very sound advice! I've been following the Sheen disaster as if I were rubber-necking at an accident on the highway. It's just unbelieveable. His money has gone to his head in a big way. Makes me all the more thankful for the few example of people who get rich gracefully. Thanks for the frugal tips. I love the mini-vacation idea, and my kids LOVE tent camping. We do it in the backyard sometimes in the summer, and they seem to have as much fun (or more) than if we were doing expensive things. We've all learned that you don't need to spend money to have fun....you just need to enjoy who you're with.