EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE LIKE ME
I know I'm not the only person who loves bargain hunting and yard saling just because.
I know I'm not the only person who doesn't go out to eat much because it's so much cheaper at home.
I know I'm not the only person who knows how to feed a family of four for about $6 at several different fast food restaurants when we do eat out.
I know Ryan and I aren't the only people who have decided they'll probably never own a new car in their entire lives.

But since this economic crisis started, it seems everyone wants to be like me!

Thrift shops are suddenly more crowded and picked-over. Used car prices (so says the news) are going up because no one can afford new. Suddenly everyone's coupon-shopping and ordering from the value menu.

But nowhere has it been more apparent than on Craigslist. Now that we're settled in our new house, I have been watching it for the furniture we need. People are trying to make a buck by selling their stuff for too much money. A tall pressboard bookcase usually goes for $15-$20, but some are asking $30 each. One guy even advertised two for $75. Given that they're $40 new, it's no wonder they aren't selling! My friend told me that she saw an old faded kids' picnic table for $75, when they're $60 new at Walmart.

There are some good deals to be had, for sure. But the competition is getting a bit out of control! Yesterday I saw a small black dresser listed for $15. I emailed the seller immediately. Moments after she responded, she wrote again, saying, "If you want it, you'd better come now. I've gotten 6 more offers." It had been listed for one hour when I arrived to pick it up, and she'd gotten 15 emails!

So now, I'm literally leaving the furniture listings open and refreshing the page every hour or so.

It's mayhem out there! Everyone has suddenly jumped on my money-saving bandwagon, and it's feeling awfully crowded!