Despite Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke’s claim that the recession is over , most Americans aren’t buying it . I’m not sure what you think of Bernanke’s outlook, but the last two years of economic downturn have taught me a lesson in frugality I won’t be forgetting anytime soon. My husband bought a new bike recently – new to him anyway. After visiting nine different bike stores and confronting the truth that he could not afford to put thousands of dollars toward a bicycle, I directed him to Craigslist . Not only did he find the bike of his dreams, he ended up having a few to choose from. Within a week of looking he found a barely used 2008 Cannondale

for $650, a bike he saw at a store a week earlier for $1,250. I’ve used Craigslist quite a bit but never for pricier items because it seemed to risky to me. After this experience I’ll be turning there when I’m on the market for something new. A quick look on the site yesterday showed hundreds of barely used elliptical machines, stationary bikes, and treadmills averaging around $200; that’s at least an 80 percent discount off retail prices and has me seriously considering buying a piece of equipment for my home. Have any of you had good experiences using Craigslist to find fitness equipment?

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Recession Proof Your Workout: Beg, Borrow, and Deal