The Craigslist High

Yesterday I was performing my rote Craigslist searches for baby gear when I stumbled across the best. ad. ever: A used Bugaboo Frog Stroller in good condition for $75.  Yes, Seventy-five smacks.  I don't know if smacks is a word, but I will make it one.  For free!

I sent an email saying that I also lived in the poster's neighborhood and could be there in minutes, cash in hand.  A few minutes later, I received a phone call and deal was made.  I google-mapped his address, ushered my son towards the car and off we were to pick up an unheard of deal: a stroller normally sold at retail for $500, soon to be mine at a fraction of the cost.

I was high.  I felt electrified, driving and squeeing with a son in tow who really just wanted to go to the beach and a husband at home who just went, "Huh?!" when I yelled, "I'M GOING TO BUY A FANCYPANTS STROLLER!"

As a pregnant woman who is both cheap (really, really cheap), I am utterly dependent on sites like Craigslist and Freecycle to gather the baby gear I need because I gave it away when we thought we were just having one.  I've created a set of rules for these types of online scavenging like not driving more than 10 miles away from home, only picking up items I need and by need, I mean, need at the moment, not need like I think I will take up bread making because someone is offering their breadmaker for free.

But this stroller?  It fit that criterion plus I knew about the virtues of a Bugaboo thanks to my favorite bloggers who own them.   I've never found one at that price, even without the bassinet, it was a true deal.  In the short drive to pick up this gem, I could feel my heart race, adrenaline zooming through my body and I realized: I AM HIGH.  LEGALLY! 

An hour later, the sweet baby was mine.  It's going to take a while before I get the hang of this, but luckily there are a lot of Youtube videos that demonstrate how to use it for challenged-people like me.  I can't believe my luck with this Craigslist find.  If I hadn't been refreshing the page, I would have missed it.  The guy said that he had had 10 other offers by the time I reached his door.  Now I'm set with a stroller that is awesome!  See?

So I have to ask, do you navigate Craigslist obsessively or click through Freecycle until your finger breaks?  Do you have any tips on saving money through sites like these?