The Importance of eBay and Craigslist Part One: eBay

Aside from Facebook and Twitter, Craigslist and eBay are probably the most widely talked about sites on the internet. Okay, maybe that's not true. Google, Yahoo, YouTube.. well still, they're pretty popular! Unfortunately, it seems that both sites are not looked upon to kindly by the public. It's always "oh, you have to watch out on eBay." or "Be careful with Craigslist. It's sketchy." Well let me tell you something: they're right.

But we're not going to talk about why you have to be careful on eBay and why Craigslist is kind of sketch. I'm going to talk about why both sites are awesome. And, if you use your common sense properly and follow my tips and tricks, both will lead you to savings savings savings.

eBay

Hello, Hong Kong! My personal favourite thing about shopping on eBay is buying from international sellers, particularly the Chinese. I've gotten things from diapers, to dresses, to cell phone cases to corsets-- all from China. The only thing is you have to wait about a month for your package to come in, so don't buy anything you need in less than a month. It's probably not economically friendly to be buying from out of the country, but when my wallet says I can dish out $20 for a screen protector for my phone instead of $0.99 (and free shipping!), then I'll buy in the USA. Besides, with my extra $19.01 I can go to a locally owned pizza parlor instead of $5 medium any topping Dominos crap. I like to think it evens out.

Gems: I don't mean actual rhinestones. I mean the diamonds in the rough. The 'one man's trash' deal. There are things that people will put online just to get rid of, and they don't even know what they have.

Auctions vs. Buy it Now: You have to use your judgment here. I usually refine my searches to exclude auctions because I can't be bothered to wait. (I don't spend much time on eBay looking for gems) A lot of times with  auctions though, especially if it's not that popular of an item, you can save some money. I find that with the things I buy that have similar items for auction, have flipped prices. The buy it now might be $5.00 with $0.99 shipping and the auction will be $0.99 with $5 shipping, so keep your eyes peeled for those sorts of things.

eBay Stores: I tend to shop from eBay Stores as opposed to the 'individual' sellers. I feel more secure and more confident about my purchase knowing that it's not just coming from a box in someone's attic (that's where Craigslist comes in!). eBay stores will also link you to other, similar seller's stores if you don't see what you are looking for. It's a great way to do online shopping.

The Dos and Don'ts (By Celeste Leigh. To be followed at the buyers discretion)

• Do get a PayPal account. PayPal is safe, secure, and quick. As a buyer, you will be rated by the seller. Sellers like quick payments and PayPal will go through immediately. You also do not have to give any personal information to the seller which is better for everyone.
• Do check the seller's rating. I normally don't buy from anyone who has less than 98% positive feedback. You can click on the little number next to the % to view the feedback left by previous people this person has made a transaction with--both buyers and sellers.
• Do real all the information provided about a product. People who sell on eBay for a living will make even the cheesiest things look super gorgeous. Double check sizing. I had the misfortune of buying (the cutest) dress because I didn't properly measure myself. When I got the dress in the mail, I ran upstairs to my room to try it on. Got it on, looked at myself in the mirror and went; "OMG I LOOK SO CUTE." turned around, and got a full shot of my panties. Needless to say I was taller than the model. 
• Don't buy used clothing, bedding, electronics, phones, what have you. Well, you can if you want, but I personally advise against it. You can see as many photos of the item as you want, but if it isn't brand new, you never know how you are going to receive it. Unless the seller lives nearby, chances are you won't be able to look over the product before making your purchase. (Though I encourage you to sell these things. People will buy anything! Isn't that terrible?)
• Don't forget to read about the seller's return policy. 
• Don't buy Coach products on eBay. Or any designer for that matter. You are not getting a deal. People go to the outlets (I used to work for Coach, I know how it goes) and buy the bags/accessories SUPER CHEAP because outlets are great and then sell them for just under the MSRP, turning around and pulling a huge profit. Please, for the sake of retail employees and the frustration it causes, do not give re-sellers the victory.

I feel like I had more to say on eBay but I can't think of anything else at the moment. Like I said before, shop using your common sense and you will do fine. Beware of shipping though. Something may look like a good deal, but then the shipping is twice the price of the item! This is not uncommon.

Happy Shopping!

:: Celeste

Saving Money- First Stop: The Grocer

I figured the first thing I should post about is something that everyone can relate to: the grocery store. The grocery store is the first place people (at least people like myself) tend to overspend. It's very easy, especially with all the delicious snacks and the brand names and what have you. It has taken me almost a year of trial and (loads of) error to get this method of grocery shopping down pat.

:: First and foremost, never and I don't say this in jest, never go to the grocery store hungry. It is a mistake I all too often make, and the things that I buy on impulse will sit in my pantry for weeks and weeks and weeks until I give up on them entirely.

:: Secondly, if you are the type to do so (and I know I have to get into this habit), make a list. Make a list and stick to it. Straying from the list once will lead to a second, a third, and finally, defeating the purpose of making a list in the first place.

:: Third, read the fliers that come in the mail. Make a note (either on your list or in a little notebook that you can take to the store with you) of the sales, but be careful. If yogurt is on sale, and no one in the house eats yogurt, there is no sense in buying it. (This is something I was guilty of for a long time) Just because there is a good deal on something, doesn't mean it should be purchased. It is also a good idea to compare prices from different stores.

:: Fourth- Store Hopping* Now I know that anyone from Rhode Island is probably reading this and saying, "Is she nuts?" I am not. I also can not take credit for this method. My wonderful future brother-in-law introduced me to store hopping, and I absolutely feel the need to share this with the world.

However, you don't want to start at X Food Store, and hop over to Y food store. Find a super saving market. The stores in my area are Price Rite and Save-a-Lot. These types of stores are usually found in lower income neighborhoods and are absolute gems for those of us who are just squeaking by. The great thing about these types of stores are their incredibly low prices, particularly on cereal, bread, and meats. (I'm such a sucker for chicken nuggets) Produce can be hit or miss, depending on how much traffic the store gets. The Price Rite I shop at frequently does not get fresh produce in as much as the one in downtown Providence because there are far more people shopping at the Providence location so they are getting fresh produce daily.

Here is where your list of sale items will come in handy. Compare the flier prices to the prices at the super savings market. Sometimes regular markets are cheaper, but most of the time they aren't.

The only downside to these markets is that while they carry a wide range of product, they don't carry everything. Their inventory in constantly changing,  so while they may have a constant supply of Rice Krispies, for example, they may one day disappear from the shelves. It happens, but that's alright. You should also bring your own shopping bags because the plastic bags here cost $0.10. Not a large sum of money, especially since they are giant and sturdy, but for the sake of throwing in some eco-friendliness, you can bring your own bags.

Now once you've milked the super savings markets, go on over to your neighborhood grocery store to pick up what's left on your list. I bet you're surprised at how much you don't need to purchase here. First thing you need to know is not to pay full price for anything. Okay, there are some things that you might need that won't be on sale, but for the most part, I never buy anything at full price.

:: Fifth, I don't buy anything that is part of a 2/$5 (or 2/$6, 2/$7....). I really don't know how I got that idea into my head, but it has saved me a whole lot of money. If I see the little 2/$5 tag hanging on the shelf, I don't even bother looking at what the item is, so I can't be tempted into buying it. Most of what's on that type of sale is something that isn't necessarily needed in my house anyway. Mostly I feel that $5 just adds up too quickly.

:: Sixth, If there is a store brand available, it's worth it. Buying store brands is a great way to save money with only changing the packaging. I have not yet noticed a difference in taste or quality. I had read somewhere that often times the same manufacturers make the same product and then slap a different label on it. I believe it. If ever I find that again, I'll be sure to link up.

I mean really. Wouldn't you rather buy Stop & Shop cookies at 2/$3, than Keebler at 2/$5? You get to save a whole $2! And think if you do that with most, if not, all of your groceries, how that would add up?

:: Seventh, is something personal, based mostly on my own diet. I don't often use coupons because coupons are either not worth it for me (save $1 on THREE boxes of cereal? Well I never intended to buy that much cereal so instead of actually saving money, I end up spending more to get the coupon value.) or they are put out for products that I don't eat (frozen foods, products with high fructose corn syrup, or foods sweetened with aspartame [any yogurt that isn't organic])

When I DO find a coupon worth using though, I'm even stingier about that. Save $1 on 2 (cans of soup for example) If the soups aren't on sale this week, I'm going to hold my coupon until the next week when they might be 2/$4 because after my coupon, I get them 2/$3 when originally they're about $3.19 a can.

Phew. I think that's all, and while it may seem like a lot to swallow, it's mostly just me explaining my craziness. I'd like for everyone to give it a try and let me know how you make out!

Happy Shopping!

:: Celeste

* Because I am from Rhode Island, where no one seems to think it's worth it to drive 15 minutes from home without considering it a day trip, the idea of store hopping is pretty shocking. Everything in our area, however, is pretty packed together. For people living somewhere where a grocery store is an hour away, I feel for you. :( I have about 25 grocery stores all within 20 minutes in any one direction.