Utilize Craigslist

I know...it's scary! Talking to people...negotiating with people...meeting people in parking lots... I read the news...I can understand how you might feel that way. (I will talk about safety at the end of this post) However, Craigslist is a great tool if you use it smart and do your research. Buying and selling things on Craigslist is safe, can save you a lot of money, and can be fun! In that regard it can also be addicting, but maybe that's just us! :-) (Remember the post about making frugal living a game?)

I know people don't really know how vast Craigslist is and just what types of things you can find. Here is just a small list of things that we have purchased off Craigslist, or even gotten for free!
-My job
-Our house
-Our cars
-Our dog
-Our cat
-Our fishtank and fish
-Our kitchen table
-Our bed
-Cellphones
-GPS units
-Our basement furniture
-Our pool
-Our patio furniture
-Video game systems
-Brand new condition couldn't find in stores play kitchen from Santa!
-Free end tables that I got to sell at my garage sale!

I think you get the idea! I can't tell you how many good deals we have gotten because people need to get rid of stuff they don't use - they need bar money, vacation money, bill money - or they just don't know the value of what they have. There are a lot of things that we have wanted that we simply could not have gotten had it not been on Craigslist. Where else can you get a $200 in stores GPS unit for $80??? Or a free minpin???

It is also a great place to get rid of stuff we don't want and make a few bucks off of it or just get rid of it to save space and know it is being used! We have sold just as much as we have purchased!

Now, here are some rules of using Craigslist safely:
1) Do your research!
Know what you are purchasing and what the general value would be. Are you really getting a good deal?
Get information ahead of time that is relevant to your purchase. How long have they had the item? Why are they getting rid of it? What condition is it in? Is it still in good working order? Do they have pics? Will they meet you half way between where you are and they are?
2) If possible, talk to the person rather than texting or emailing so you can get a good vibe on their character from their voice. Are you dealing with a man? a teenager? a woman? someone who slurs their words or seems like they have no idea what they are talking about? someone who sounds like a professional? Someone that hesitates when you ask questions?
3) Don't let people come to your house or go to their house (unless furniture is involved) JUST DON'T!! ALWAYS meet in a public place - preferably one where you can stay in your car with it running, or that is right in a main doorway of a shop or restaurant.
4) If furniture is involved and you have to go to someones house to pick it up, bring someone with you! Chances are you will need the help anyway. If you have info. that the person is married, try to schedule the pickup for when the wife or kids would most likely be home. Ask that the item be outside waiting for you if at all possible. If they are coming to you for a purchase, make sure someone is home with you.
5) Be confident in yourself and your abilities! If something doesn't feel right to you, then don't do it! Know that you can handle yourself and portray yourself as such. Bad people know if you are afraid and will use that to their advantage!
6) Obey the law, but if it would make you feel better or if you want added security, bring a weapon. (mace, small pocket knife, ... ) This goes back to rule#5 and feeling confident. If that's what it takes, then do it. But again, obey the law!

Craigslist is NOT a bad place. Everywhere has some bad people, you just have to weed through them. I have to say that in all of our experiences - and there have been hundreds - we have not run into any problems at all. In the process have saved thousands of dollars, and made about as much as well! Whenever we need something we check there first..I honestly don't know what we would do without Craigslist!

MAKE IT FUN!!