Do you want to save money by finding good deals on used items on Craigslist.org? If so, you may wonder if there is a good way to find these deals. Craigslist is a great concept, but you can only search one location and one category at a time. This may pose a problem for avid deal seekers. Is there a way that you can save time when finding the best deals? Yes.

Step #1 - Download a Craigslist Search Tool

Craigslist search tools are desktop applications that allow you to search multiple categories and multiple locations at once, with one single search. If you were to search multiple locations and categories on Craigslist.org, it would require separate searches and hours worth of your time. Search tools also come loaded with other great features too, like price ranges, editable search lists, and more.

Step #2 - Install and Familiarize Yourself with Your Tool

After downloading a Craigslist search tool, you need to install the program on your computer. Do so and then take the time to explore the program. As previously stated, most search tools are loaded with extra, helpful features. You must know about these features before you can benefit from them.

Step #3 - Set Your Search Standards

What is great about Craigslist search tools is your search options. Most allow you to search multiple categories at once. You can also choose from searching on a nationwide, statewide, or multi-city basis. Tailor your search to what you are looking for. If buying a used car, you may be willing to drive up to three hours away for a good deal. So for your location, choose all cities located within a three hour drive from your home.

Step #4 - Search with Relevant Keywords

Whether you use a search tool or just search from Craigslist.org, a good search phrase can save you a lot of time. If looking for something in particular, like a certain brand name appliance, search with that brand name. This limits the number of postings you have to weed through. Get what you need and the first time.

Step #5 - Edit Your Search Results Page

If you use a Craigslist search tool, you should have the ability to edit your search results. This includes removing items from your list. If an item is too costly or wasn't what you were looking for, remove it from your list. By doing this, your shopping list gets smaller and smaller. This makes it easier and quicker to compare prices on Craigslist to find the best deals.

Click here to download a Craigslist search tool - search Craigslist with no effort!

Article courtesy of: Dan Masood

Money Saving Shopping and Cooking Strategies - Buy in Bulk from the Bulk Section

Many of us know that buying in bulk saves money, but often end up wasting money because we end up not using it. Or sometimes in our pursuit of convenience, we end up spending a lot more than money we need to.

Here are 7 tips to save money and actually use all you bought -- conveniently, and really take advantage of the price the bulk purchase offers.

1. Buy spices in the bulk section and keep them in small jars (old spice jars or baby food jars.) Spices have a shelf life of about a year, yet the average home cook doesn't go though them that quickly, so they end up with a collection of old spices. Unlike stamps, the value of the spices is their highest when new. Especially when you try something new or seasonal (Thanksgiving etc.), just buy a little bit. Then you'll be spending about 25 cents vs. $5, 99% unused. Make sure to label the jar with what the spice is. Things you use all the time such as black pepper, you may want to get some extra (again) at the bulk section to save frequent shopping.
2. Buy rice, cereal, beans, flour, sugar, etc. in the bulk section. You don't have to buy a large portion, and you'll be saving a lot of money on packaging as well as "Advertising".
3. Buying dry beans in cheaper than buying a canned version, and you can control the doneness of the beans. On the other hand, cooking beans takes a long time, especially if you include the soaking time. Given the time you save, you may be better off with canned version. In any case, keep a can or two of different beans in the pantry for quick salad, dips and soups. Or cook in larger batches and freeze in its cooking water in Quart size bags.
4. One thing that's far cheaper in the bulk section is dry yeast. You can buy a small quantity, and keep the left over in the fridge for about a year.
5. If your family is small, you can still buy in bulk, as long as you freeze it in individual portions, so that you will have no waste. (As a rule of thumb, in a single person household, avoid buying bulk packs. They get bad before you can go through them.)
6. Buying whole onions and vegetables and cutting them yourself saves a lot of money. Pre-chopped and packaged onions, and veggies from the store cost at least 3 - 5 times more, and it doesn't take that long to prepare for yourself. One upscale grocery store suggested in their in-store magazine "pick your vegetables at our salad bar". DON'T!!! Unless you want to pay $8 per pound vs 80c per pound or less!
7. Pre-chop/cut vegetables immediately after you come back from shopping or when you have time. They should keep a few days in a sealed container in the fridge. And when you are ready to cook dinner, you already have prepped vegetables, as if you had a prep chef! You can also eat them for healthy snacks.

As a rule of thumb, the shorter the shelf life, the more careful you should be buying in a large quantity. If you can freeze, that's great. Make sure to package it properly.

There is an opportunity cost here - if you don't like it, or it gets wasted, that money will go down the drain (just like the spices.)

Wouldn't you rather keep that money in your pocket?

Mari Suzuki, Cooking Optimization Expert teaches busy home cooks "the recipe for success" in the everyday kitchen. If you want to cut time in the kitchen by half, while doubling the variety at the same time -- all without compromise, find out how at "Secrets of a Kitchen Wizard" http://KitchenWizardMari.com

Article courtesy of Mari Suzuki

101 Ways To Save Money

101 ways to save money -