Bootstrap Survival -- Creating Your Own Job - Curb Alert Resale

So you are sitting there with your back against the imaginary wall, certain if things don't turn around and soon -- your personal curb alert will be when the sheriff comes to evict your and your furnishings and you are sitting on the curb along with everything you own.

Well, maybe things aren't that dire, but perhaps you've lost your job, or had your hours cut back significantly? Maybe that same ol' paycheck doesn't stretch nearly as far enough as it used to?

Do you wait until it is an emergency to take action while you pray that somehow, some way, someone will show you the way to save yourself?

Well, Here's a real curb alert -- curb alerts are one of the many ways you can make needed money. You can create your own job by obtaining free or next to free -- furniture and furnishings and quickly turn them around for resale and profits.

Creating Your Own Job - Household Goods Reseller

You'd think our recent economic turn down would change some things, but in fact, it's made things worse. As houses are foreclosed on, people are leaving behind what they can't afford to move.

As people lose their jobs and have to move in with relatives, what they can't sell or have a place for -- gets set out on the curb.

Then, there is still among us, many who think little of tossing out usable items for trash pick-up, simply because the item is no longer useful to us, or that we've replaced it with something better.

Doing resale of used items is one of the ways to save your local landfill and stop some of the waste that goes on in this country every day. You are filling a need while replenishing your pocketbook.

There is a whole other area of sustainable salvaging for resale. With over one third of our homes empty and in some sort of foreclosure -- house flippers, banks, and mortgage investment real estate groups, and others are rapidly trying to turn things around for themselves -- by doing quick cosmetic repairs -- all in the hopes of quick sales.

For these reasons, a shocking number of usable and reusable building supplies can be found curbside in just about all neighborhoods. Here's an example: Recently, just in our neighborhood, one re-modeler put to the curb:

• 132 - 2x4's that were all in good condition -- just needed some nails removed.
• 2 - ornate chandeliers (both in working condition, with no damage or missing parts
• 1 - room size rug in nearly new condition, with no stains, no tears, no wear (just needed cleaning)

The 2x4's were sold for a modest $1.00 a piece. The chandeliers were sold for $100.00. The room size rug was sold for $75.00 -- any way you look at it, that's $307.00 towards some one's bills and recycling for green remodeling by sustainable salvaging for the buyers.

Way beyond the Do-It-Yourself of the Craigslister's are certain organizations that are popping up all over the Internet, like Freecycle.org. This is where curb alert for resale crosses a line and has some of it's finer moments. Suppose someone is moving, and you come across many items that are in good condition -- not what you can resale -- and wrongfully destined for the local landfill.

This is a great place to find a new home for something, be it a recliner, an answering machine, or even building materials. On Freecycle, you simply offer it to members of your Freecycle group. They or others, may have need of just that very item. Beyond that -- Freecycle makes you feel good while keeping useful items out of local landfills. It allows things we and others no longer use to have new life, with someone else who can use it. It helps in de-cluttering your life, while helping to promote and sustain an environmentally conscious community -- right where you live.

Here is where you can help others, and perhaps get past the fact that you are also in the same boat -- that of needing help.

In world that is rapidly becoming a lifestyle of bootstrap mentality, these organizations have come into their own.

Your local Freecycle community, isn't just an avenue for finding items that you may be needing for your personal life, but a new kind of lifestyle when it comes to recycling. The best way to explain it is to explain what it is NOT:

• It is not a charity for the poor only.
• It is not about hoarding free stuff.
• It is not about getting free things to earn money, although depending upon the local group's rules it can be used for that on a limited basis.
• It's not about getting rid of your trash that the trash collector and non-profits won't take.
• It's not a place to ask for expensive "wants" and someone will gift it to you.
• It's not a free listing for your services, your affiliate marketing, etc.
• It's not a place to advertise items that are "not free."

• Remember that not all Craigslist "curb alerts" are listed by the owners or even with the owners permission. Be polite and if someone is home, knock on the door, and ask tell them that you saw the listing on Craigslist and would like to remove the items if it is OK with them.

• Be sure to read the Craigslist posting very carefully, paying attention to key words. For example, if the listing says: "There is a blue recliner/rocker out for garbage, left over from a yard sale. It looks to be in perfect condition. It is at curb at . . . . you can be sure the owner is not the one who listed it."

• Be honest in your wanting someone else's stuff. Some people only want individuals who can really use the items to get them, not resellers.

• Be polite. If the listing requires an email reply, do be sure to ask if there is a convenient time for "them" for you to pick up the item.

• Be courteous. Don't wait the original owner's time by not being sure that you really want the item(s) before you meet with them.

• Don't be rude. If you make arrangements via phone or email to pick something up -- do that -- don't leave the owner hanging when others will also actually want and come get the item.

• Know the difference between Craigslist and Freecycle. Remember, generally Freecycle items aren't the same kind of items that others put out in the trash or curb. It's an entirely different concept, most people on there post

• Make the most of the computer programs you are using. Make use of CraigsList Reader if you live in an area where you would want to search multiple locations and categories.

• If the items are free or even set out for trash -- don't leave behind a mess as you fish item(s) from the bottom This kind of rude behavior is one of the many reasons non-profit organizations like Goodwill and the Salvation Army have had to resort to having to have manned donation sites.

• You make sure that the item is completely clean and in good repair.
• You accurately describe the item and place it in the right category for resale on Craigslist, EBay, Amazon, or other such sites.
• You resale the item at your nearest local flea market.
• You place the item in a consignment shop for resale.
• You have a yard sale or garage sale.

The basic rules of safety that apply to all Internet sites really apply here. Craigslist has tips for using their site safely and it's important to follow them. Beyond that, remember most people are honest and nice, but you must be proactive.

If you are buying and selling, you must assume that some will reply to your posting trying to scam you with their latest "deal."

Just about every time we post a listing to sell something we will inevitably get an email from someone who "wants to help us out." So there is an assumption by some apparently that you are selling items there because you NEED money. Just ignore them.

Be proactive, stay out of the singles and services listings, or be very aware of the dangers in certain categories. Trust your instincts and your common sense.