At a dinner party over the weekend, I had an interesting conversation with a a young couple. After talking about my blog, the wife told me about a creative strategy they use in conjunction with Craigslist to help make ends meet.
For those who may not be familiar with Craigslist, it's an online classified ad site. Listing and browsing are completely free of charge.
This couple has a new baby and they both work, so they've got to be incredibly busy. But whenever there's a chance, they scour over Craigslist's 'Free' category, and look for anything they suspect has a resale value.
Then they resell it. In most cases, all they do is take a clear photograph, write up a detailed description, and repost the same item in the appropriate category, right back on Craigslist.
Not a bad idea really, for anyone who has the time and is willing to put forth the effort.
I'm sure there are people who may be moving who need to unload still-usable goods quickly. Or how about a family wrapping up an unsuccessful yard sale? Although donation is a better solution for most, many charitable organizations send out trucks to certain areas only a few times a month.
Posting a Craigslist ad for a freebie can be a better option than placing something on the curbside. Your giveaways will get far more exposure. However, use caution, as there's always the chance of attracting undesirables. Your neighbors may not appreciate it.
In any event, unless there are huge "FREE" signs along with your goods, many passers-by will hesitate to take advantage of your public offer.
Coincidentally, on Saturday afternoon, I scored a neat find for my 4-year-old when I saw one of those signs. I followed a yard sale posting in the afternoon, but by the time we arrived, the sale had ended and everything was placed at the end of a driveway with the big "FREE" sign. Katie squealed with excitement as she spotted the Little Tykes washer and dryer set immediately. She was lucky my trunk was empty! The set was clean and in great shape.
Better than throwing away usable items, offering free goods is definitely an option to consider. Good can come of it. Your efforts could brighten the day of a little girl or even provide a way for a young couple to raise funds make ends meet!
When it meets a need, curbside freebies are always great to come by!
For those who may not be familiar with Craigslist, it's an online classified ad site. Listing and browsing are completely free of charge.
This couple has a new baby and they both work, so they've got to be incredibly busy. But whenever there's a chance, they scour over Craigslist's 'Free' category, and look for anything they suspect has a resale value.
Then they resell it. In most cases, all they do is take a clear photograph, write up a detailed description, and repost the same item in the appropriate category, right back on Craigslist.
Not a bad idea really, for anyone who has the time and is willing to put forth the effort.
I'm sure there are people who may be moving who need to unload still-usable goods quickly. Or how about a family wrapping up an unsuccessful yard sale? Although donation is a better solution for most, many charitable organizations send out trucks to certain areas only a few times a month.
Posting a Craigslist ad for a freebie can be a better option than placing something on the curbside. Your giveaways will get far more exposure. However, use caution, as there's always the chance of attracting undesirables. Your neighbors may not appreciate it.
In any event, unless there are huge "FREE" signs along with your goods, many passers-by will hesitate to take advantage of your public offer.Coincidentally, on Saturday afternoon, I scored a neat find for my 4-year-old when I saw one of those signs. I followed a yard sale posting in the afternoon, but by the time we arrived, the sale had ended and everything was placed at the end of a driveway with the big "FREE" sign. Katie squealed with excitement as she spotted the Little Tykes washer and dryer set immediately. She was lucky my trunk was empty! The set was clean and in great shape.
Better than throwing away usable items, offering free goods is definitely an option to consider. Good can come of it. Your efforts could brighten the day of a little girl or even provide a way for a young couple to raise funds make ends meet!
When it meets a need, curbside freebies are always great to come by!
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