I’m always looking for ways to make my money go farther and I often find myself thinking, “wouldn’t it be nice if there was a one stop shop where I could make money, buy what I needed without spending a ton of money, and save some money? Believe it or not, this place exists and it is called Craigslist!
I’m sure many of you are thinking “There is no way Craigslist is going to help me with my finances, this has got to be a joke!” This is no joke. After discovering Craigslist I saved money on items I needed to buy, sold things I no longer needed, created multiple sources of income for myself, AND added a dog to my life for no cost! But how exactly has Craigslist helped me stretch my dollar and how can it help you stretch yours?
Here are five ways you can use Craigslist to help make your money go farther.
Buy Stuff
Are you looking for a coffee table? Need some patio furniture? How about a TV? You could go to Walmart, Target, or Ikea. After all, they do have low prices. OR you could check out the “For Sale” section on Craigslist. If you think Costco has everything, Craigslist puts Costco to shame. Craigslist has everything from dirt to cars, so if you are looking to buy something, check out Craigslist before you run off to the nearest store. Chances are you will find what you are looking for at a cheaper price. For example, I’ve purchased a tv, microwave, and an over the toilet shelving system (all items in near perfect condition) for a fraction of the price I would have paid by going to Walmart, Target, or Ikea by simply searching the “For Sale” section on Craigslist. What a great deal!
Sell Stuff
Alternately, did you just get the latest iPod and don’t know what to do with your old one? Or did you just move into a smaller apartment and you don’t have room for your old tv? Don’t throw it out, put it on Craigslist! Guaranteed you will find someone who wants to buy it. I’ve successfully sold a tv, surfboard, iPod, and even a mirror on Craigslist. If you are looking to turn your unwanted stuff into money, post it on Craigslist.
Add Another Family Member
No, I don’t mean you can get another kid or crazy uncle on Craigslist. What I do mean is that using the pet section, you can find a furry new family member for a fraction of the cost you would pay if you bought from a pet store or a breeder. Sometimes you can even find pets for free! I got my beautiful white golden retriever from craigslist for free through Craigslist’s pet section and she has been a wonderful addition to my life. So if you are looking for a new pet, check out Craigslist before you hit up your local pet store or breeder. (Note: If you can’t find what you are looking for on Craigslist, please go to your local shelter to adopt a pet).
Alternate Sources of Income
Do you like to write? Are you a computer genius? Can you cook or clean like it’s nobody’s business? If so, you must check out the gigs section of Craigslist. Chances are you will be able to find some sort of “gig” that fits your skill set and make some extra money. Most gigs are one time, some are part time, but all gigs will give you another source of income, which is something I think is unbelievably important given the current state of the economy. I have found “gigs” as a petsitter, Twitter consultant, and babysitter on Craigslist. Check it out and see if you can find a “gig” that fits your skill set!
Carpooling
One of the best ways to cut costs is to cut down on the amount of money you spend on transportation. Craigslist has given you a way to do this by creating a section called “rideshare.” Rideshare consists of a bunch of posts made by people who want to share a ride somewhere. Most rideshares are long distance and while I haven’t personally done a “rideshare” before, it seems like a great way to cut down on travel expenses! My only word of caution: make sure the person you agree to share a ride with isn’t an axe murderer by meeting them before you share a ride with them
One of the best things about Craigslist is that it is free to use, so you have no excuse not to use Craigslist to stretch your dollar! Next time you need to sell something, buy something, or are looking to make a little extra money, check out Craigslist!
Have any stories about how Craigslist helped you save money or make money? Share them with us in the comment section!
