Since I am selling my home (see the listing here if you’re interested) and have been trying to save as much as possible in preparation for this trip, I’ve discovered Craigslist. I didn’t think I had much to sell, but $1500 later I’m glad I took the time to do it. It took six months and hundreds of emails, and I had many memorable experiences along the way. For some reason, at this stage in my life, it feels great to get rid of stuff.
![](http://timothy-flanagan.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/DSC0001-1024x683.jpg)
My first challenge was getting used to the culture of Craigslist. I come from an era of handwritten letters, thank you notes and proper punctuation. I cringed, then, when I received one-word texts like “available?” which translates as, “I’m interested in the laptop you have for sale. Is it still available? Thank you.” Another popular text was “$40?” which means, “I’d like to buy the KitchenAid Mixer you have listed for $100 but am willing to pay $40.” I usually answered in complete sentences, but occasionally the influence of the Craigslist culture was too great to resist and I resorted to one-word lower-cased responses.
![](http://timothy-flanagan.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/DSC0197-683x1024.jpg)
I had many requests to meet people halfway between Westerly and Providence and quickly realized that I would have to do this to sell certain items. Although it usually worked out (I sold a rice cooker to a woman in the parking lot of REI in Cranston), I did end up waiting in more than one McDonald’s parking lot without ever meeting the intended buyer. One request I had, however, went too far: “I live in
Prov and want to buy the speaker. Can you give me $20 for gas to pick it up?” I didn’t respond.
![](http://timothy-flanagan.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/DSC0659-1024x683.jpg)
The more I looked around my house, the more stuff I realized I had. Besides the normal unused exercise equipment, old furniture and various computers and devices, there were some forgotten items. An old paint sprayer was worth $10. I found two artificial Christmas trees – one went to the dump and the other sold for $20. An entire bin of camping equipment, including tents, a stove and lantern, went to a 20-year-old guy who was eager to start camping while his girlfriend sat in the car with a less-than-enthusiastic look on her face. There were two bags of coal in my garage, left there decades ago by some previous owner. Craigslist connected me with a guy needing the coal for an old blacksmith’s forge. In this case, giving it away saved me the trouble of disposing of it.
![](http://timothy-flanagan.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/DSC0302-1024x683.jpg)
I had the same idea for the broken chest freezer in my basement and listed it for free. Surely someone out there would find a use for it. After several months, I found that person, and it led to my most memorable and dangerous Craigslist experience. That story will have to wait for a future post.
June 29, 2016 @ 10:29
That sounds scary!
June 29, 2016 @ 12:38
It is quite freeing to “downsize” or in your case, complete freedom! We downsized a little over a year ago from our house and large yard to a condo. Enjoying every minute of it (now that it’s over)! We too sold thing at 2 garage sales. The rest went to Salvation Army. You’re livin’ the dream!!!
June 30, 2016 @ 04:08
This sounds like the beginnings to another awesome personal narrative model for your students for when you get back. Can’t wait to hear!
July 1, 2016 @ 15:05
I’ll keep all my drafts! Hope you’re having a good summer.
July 22, 2016 @ 08:28
So if you decide to make your way back to the US…here’s another way that you can use Craigslist to your benefit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8s3bdVxuFBs
July 25, 2016 @ 14:37
Thanks for the idea!