Craigslist Junkie

SHE SAID:

Whoever this "Craig" is has amazing ideas. Free online classifieds?! It's almost too good to be true. I am smitten.

It must be the single mother inside of me, but I am a great bargain shopper. Well, let me clarify this. I don't really care for shopping. Something about taking 2 boys shopping with you does something to your inner shopper and it really turns you off of it after a couple of times. (Great rehab for those compulsive shoppers -- take my boys with you once or twice and you won't want to ever go back!) Add pregnancy and swollen hands and feet at the moment and I really don't care for shopping right now. But, there are things we need in our household, and shopping is the only way to get them. And nothing excites me more than finding a great deal. Except being able to find this great deal online first, and then going directly to pick it up. It's the best thing since sliced bread!

Did you know that I found the baby's crib and changing table (matching set) for $100? I mean, WOW, right? I found the wood high chair that I wanted for next to nothing, got a glider and ottoman for a steal. Heck, I'm even finding my friends things on Craigslist. I'm like the Craigslist dealer out on the street.. "what do you need? you need a swing? you need a bouncer seat? I got you covered.." yes, it is that bad.

What is worse is hiding my addiction from Tony. He comes into the room, sees me on my laptop and I click over to my other open tab I keep just for that purpose. So, this morning, I'm sitting at home, nobody here, and I get on Craigslist just to see what's new on there... and I find some baby boy clothes. I reallllllly want these clothes. They are in good condition, they are name brand, and they are a steal! Except the baby has more clothes than he can wear right now, and he's not even born yet. So, I'm sitting here, going through everything in my head, thinking that I could return all of the baby's new clothes I bought him, buy this lot of clothes off of Craigslist and come out ahead... then I see Tony's face pop up in my head, shaking his head back and forth at me.... and I realize that some things are better left as fantasies.

HE SAID:

There was a time when classifieds contained the essentials. You know, rummage sales, cars, job listings, and of course farm animals. Now if you wanted "companionship" you read the personals.

So let's look at Craig's list. Mix all of these things together and let MOTHERS control it. Do you see where I'm going with this. That's right, Craig let his mother take control of his idea.

Now don't get me wrong. I have no problem with finding a great deal. And I use the internet all the time to check prices before I commit to a purchase. But seriously folks, we have so many infant clothes right now I could probably clothe the entire maternity ward at our largest hospital for the next month!

So at what point does a great deal cost you more than retail? When it becomes a Craigs list obsession...