TheThriftyNation.com

As a person who loves to save money, I am always on the lookout for deals.  One of the best ways I have found to save money on purchases has been to head to my local Craigslist website and check it out before going anywhere else.

Craigslist is an online classified ads forum where you can advertise items you have to sell, as well as things you want to buy or trade. There is no cost for the ad. There are a number of categories on the list and if you are patient, eventually you will be able to pick up exactly what you are looking for, maybe even for free.

The categories include:

• Housing
• Personal ads
• For Sale
• Services
• Jobs

Many times on this site I have seen great deals on homes that people were selling to avoid foreclosure. There are always rentals as well. This would be the place to check before you went to a real estate agent.

In the barter section people list what they want and what they have to trade for it. Also, in the For sale section, there is also a “for Free” category….I always check out that list!  (As I always say, free is the ultimate way to save money….it can’t get any better!)

Cautions

To save money is a great thing, but because of the nature of Craigslist you want to use caution when dealing with the people who you contact or who contact you. Common sense should be used in all transactions.

• If you are selling on Craigslist, ask for cash or paypal. Do not accept checks.
• If you are buying an item check it out carefully.
• With furniture, don’t assume a bad odor is the house that the furniture is in. If the odor is in the upholstery, it may not come out.
• Never give private personal information over the phone or by email.

The fun is in the Hunt

It can be fun to save money with Craigslist. It is almost like a treasure hunt sometimes as you wait for what you want to show up at a price you want to pay. Just be wise in your dealings with the people you contact, or who contact you. Always go with your gut feelings. By using the list we have been able to save quite a bit of money on both merchandise and services over the years. If nothing else, it is fun to look through when you have some time.

 I hope you have enjoyed this article.  Have a “save money” tip?  Share it in the comment section below!