This week’s  Listia All-star is Carrie from Wisconsin! Carrie is a stay-at-home mom and has been a member of Listia for over five years which means she’s been with us nearly since the beginning. Let’s find out more about her!

What do you enjoy doing for fun?
I love to hunt, fish, kayak, read and love scary movies.

What has been your favorite thing that you’ve won on Listia?
I have won lots of name-brand clothes for my daughter on Listia saving me tons of money.

If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you’d do or buy?
If I won the lottery I would buy a home in the country with lots of outdoor toys like ATVs, wave-runners and more!

What’s been your favorite thing about Listia?
Everything. I enjoy meeting new people and adding surprise extra treats once in a while to make someone’s day.

How has Listia inspired you?
Listia inspired me because I used to sell on another auction site for 20 years but after a while the fees just got outrageous. Listia doesn’t charge me so its easy to keep doing what I love. Shipping is already expensive enough & adding sellers fees just takes all the fun out of selling. Listia made it fun again!! Thank you Listia.

Thank you Carrie for sharing your story! We’re grateful to have people like her in our community since the beginning! If you’d like to share your story about Listia email us at ilove@listia.com . Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for more stories and announcements!

One of the hardest steps of selling any item has always been the last. Buying the shipping label. With our latest update we’re excited to finally make it one of the easiest! You can now buy and print shipping labels directly from Listia no matter where you are. Let’s go through how it works.

Once your auction ends with a winner, you can buy your shipping label in one easy step. After clicking to buy your shipping label, you’ll be taken to a simple page to fill in any details.

What are the benefits of buying a shipping label through Listia?

• Get your credits faster. If your postage includes tracking, we will automatically transfer your credits three days after your item is delivered.
• Affordable insurance. Insurance starts at $1 for up to $50 of coverage, and $1 for each $50 thereafter.
• It’s super convenient. Addresses automatically appear on the label, and tracking information is instantly sent to your winner.
• Save time. No more trips to the post office. Print at home and send your item with your USPS mail carrier!

Shipping labels are also live for Android and iOS! You can set up your labels and save them on your phone. When you’re ready you can print them from any computer. The Flat Rate Boxes are cheaper and more convenient than buying them at the post office!

We’re always working hard to make Listia better and we’re excited to know what you think! You can go to your dashboard and try it out on your next auction. What will you be shipping next with your shipping labels? Let us know in the comments below.

One of most exciting parts of fall is the return of our favorite TV shows. Our excitement dwindles a little after we view our cable bill each month though. Luckily there are several new ways to watch TV without the bill.  Below are just a few ways to get setup and started before your shows start!

Hulu Plus

One of the early ways to cut cable is still the best. With Hulu you get access to shows networks like NBC, FOX, and even Comedy Central. While you wont’ be able to watch new episodes the day that they air, they are available next day for viewing. You can also watch them on your phone, tablet or computer. At only 7.99 a month it’s a great alternative to a cable bill. You can also pay a little more to go commercial-free.

Playstation Vue

One of the newer options comes from Sony available for any PS3 or PS4 owners through Playstation Vue. You get access to channels like NBC, CBS, TNT and even AMC with their basic Core which starts at 44.99 a month. If you need your NFL each Sunday you can pay more for their Elite package which has even more channels like Syfy and the Travel Channel.

Sling TV

Another great option is Sling TV. For $20 a month you get many of the other channels like the other options along with ESPN, AMC, CNN, HGTV, Disney Channel and tons of other options. They also have specific packages that you can add which include channels for different interests like spanish, comedy or kids. You can also stream your Sling TV with your Google Chromecast, Amazon Firestick, Roku Player and many more devices.

You’re no longer tied to the cable bill to watch your favorite shows. Some of these new services are now cheaper and more convenient than watching TV shows as they are live. So cut the cord, curl up with your favorite device and pass the popcorn.

This week’s edition of Listia All-star is a little different. One of the best parts of Listia is the community and the people that make it up. We interact with so many people in the marketplace that it’s great to take a moment and see the story of a single person. Today it’s Cindy with her inspirational story on change.

I just wanted to tell you what a difference Listia has made in my life. At one time, I was struggling with depression and substance abuse issues. Try as I might, I just couldn’t seem to stay clean and sober. I thought I’d never make it into the world of recovery. Then I gave it one more mighty try. And I made it! That was 7 years ago. All these years later, I look back at what got me through the loneliest, darkest days of my life. Listia was one of the first things I did in early sobriety that made me feel good deep down inside.

So, here I was, new in recovery from substance abuse, not working, bored, depressed and very low on self esteem. Then, fulfilling a lifelong dream, I put myself through school to become a substance abuse counselor and eventually, I got a job (which I am still doing and loving it) in a detox and today I live a fulfilling and wonderful life.

One of the things I was taught about early recovery was that you HAD to find a hobby…something to keep you busy and look forward to, give you a sense of accomplishment. I chose to dabble in beading. I began making bracelets, necklaces, lanyards and other such stuff. I found I had a real knack for this!

Then I found Listia. I don’t even remember how I found you, but I joined and began listing the things I was making with beads. To my surprise, the other members loved them. I remember how excited I would get when someone commented or bid on a listing. I received many friend requests, too.

Listia gave me a sense of purpose. It was fun to meet other members, many of whom I still socialize with through facebook. Listia really gave me something to work towards and something to be proud of. I take my “business” very seriously and have received great feedback.

Listia is also an invaluable tool in my work. See, I auction off the bracelets I make and in turn, I am able to order books for the clients to read, arts and craft supplies for our groups and much more!

Thank you, Listia, for helping me get through one of the darkest times of my life!

Thank you for sharing your story Cindy! If you’d like to share your story about Listia email us at ilove@listia.com . Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for more stories and announcements!

With Labor day marking the unofficial end of summer, it’s a good time to start tidying up and making your home ready for fall. It’s always hard knowing where to start so we have a few quick tips to make your home look as charming as the fall leaves outside.

Accent With Throw pillows

One of the best ways to change the theme of your home is with throw pillows. They’re an easy way to bring color into your home in a simple yet decorative way. Accentuate furniture or bring some quirky flavor to the room with creative throw pillows. You don’t have to settle for plain or store-bought pillows, create your own with DIY pillows.

Spruce Up Your Closet

The fall is a great time to rotate your closet. Put away those summer dresses and tops in storage and bring out your fall sweaters and jackets. See what still fits and what doesn’t. With any old clothes you can list them on Listia or even donate them to Goodwill. The money you save can be used to buy some new fall clothes!

Change Your Bedding With The Season

Fall is another great time to change your fall bedding. In the fall, colder temperatures at night will make you shiver and can make it even harder to wake up in the morning. In the winter months you’ll want warmer sheets like flannel or fleece. Match your colors in the living room or go for something different. If it gets especially cold in your area, an electric blanket is always a great investment for the home and bed.

With these tips you’ll be all set to start the fall with a great look for your home and closet. What are your favorite fall tips? Let us know in the comments!

From summer clothes to summer games, it’s time to say goodbye and welcome the back-to-school season. Getting ready for school doesn’t have to mean taking out your checkbook or tightening your belt. There are a few easy, quick ways to help your kids get ready and start the school year off right.

Take Inventory of Clothes and Items

The first step is to take stock of last year’s clothes and see what you really need. Some of your children’s clothes may still fit and other items can be restored with little effort. You can even make it fun for your kids by turning it into a fashion show and asking them to try on their old and rarely used clothes. Once you have a good idea of what you do or don’t need for the upcoming school year, you can start planning your shopping so you don’t buy unnecessary items. Any items you no longer need you can donate to Goodwill or even list it on places like Listia where you can save even more.

Find Coupons Right Near You

With the power of your smartphone in your hand, there’s no reason to buy at retail price. There are many apps you can use to help you find the best savings on any item. One favorite is RetailMeNot, an app focused on shopping deals and coupons. One of its best features is a local deal section that helps you find deals from stores near you. Incredibly useful when you’re at the mall or shopping at a store.

Create Price Alerts on Items Not On Sale

For school items that you can never seem to catch on sail, there’s one great tool you can use so the savings come to you. CamelCamelCamel allows you to set price alerts on any product on Amazon and get an email when the price is right for your wallet. You can even see the price history of a product to see if you should buy it now or wait a little bit for it to come down.

It can be daunting to see the long list of back-to-school items you need for the school year but with a few taps you can find great deals and save. If you follow some of these tips you’ll be the savviest shopper in the aisle.

In the second edition of our Listia All-Star series we have Lital! The Listia All-Star series is a new series where we highlight the amazing people and stories that happen on Listia everyday.

Where are you from?
My husband and I are from the Greater Bangor Area in Maine. My husband George Adams is a CPA and I help him as his executive secretary in our family owned and operated boutique firm.

How long have you been a member on Listia?
I found Listia on March 2013 and have been a member ever since. I am so blessed and fortunate to be a member of this amazing place.

What has been your favorite thing that you’ve won on Listia?
One of my favorite things that I bought on Listia is Disney’s Wolf Collectible Figurine from the Three Little Pigs Story.

My favorite thing to sell was a Kindle Fire, which just sold for a million credits! I also have to boast about my 5MIL badge and being an all-star member. I have 57 badges and I cherish each and every one of them. Every badge is a testimony of the great milestones I have passed being a loyal member.

What do you enjoy doing for fun?
My hobbies include surfing the net, thriller movies, classical music concerts, travel, homesteading as much as possible (we have fruit trees and bushes and I hope to have a veggie garden one of these days soon), photography (mainly of our adorable 2 fur babies-both are King Charles Cavalier Spaniels in the tri-colors). I regularly share with my husband what I sell and buy on Listia and he is always duly impressed. Mail calls have become an attraction for me!

Have you made any friends on Listia?
I keep in touch with the friends I’ve made here via Facebook. I value them all. It’s priceless and a huge bonus. Listia has inspired me to help people in need via its charity programs. It also has helped me with honing my marketing skills.

How has listia inspired you?
Most of all Listia has inspired me to learn about new places, the places where other sellers and buyers come from. My family knows me to be a Listian and I am so proud of that.

I really cannot imagine life without Listia. When I need a time out from work or house chores I turn to Listia and always find neat stuff to boost my morale. Thank you Listia for being so good to me. Happy Birthday! I am looking forward to more games and badges.

Thank you Lital for sharing your story! If you’d like to share your story about Listia email us at ilove@listia.com . Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for more stories and announcements!

In the summer lull between TV shows and summer movie blockbusters, it’s a perfect opportunity to spend some time in the sun and build memories with your kids that they’ll look fondly on. Instead of the normal night in on the couch, here are a few ideas that will let them see the world in a new light and think about the world in a new way.

Go Camping In Your Backyard

You don’t need to pack up the car and drive hours away from home in order to get spend a night outdoors. Setting up a tent in your backyard allows you to stay near your home while still letting your kids star gaze. As a plus, you’re only a few steps away from your kitchen in case you forget any last-minute snacks.

Make a Nature Map

We spend so much time in our homes but always walk past the trees or landmarks around them. Change it up this summer with a walk with your kids on an exploration tour. Ask your kids to bring some cardboard paper or coloring pencils and make your own map of your neighborhood. It will help their sense of direction and their curiosity. Mark large trees, statues, parks or even rivers you may see!

Write Handwritten Notes

Take a break from the sun and stay indoors to show appreciation for the people in their life by writing them a handwritten note. Whether it’s for a graduation gift, a birthday present or a dish they brought over or shared it’s always nice to practice being thankful. In an age where emails and Facebook status updates can be written in seconds, taking the time to hand write a note really shows someone cares. It’s also great opportunity to sit with your kids and share memories about the people they have in their lives.

You’re never stuck with the same summer choices if you think a little outside the box. With these quick tips we hope we’ve inspired you to try something new this summer. Share in the comments what your favorite family summer activity is!

One of the best parts of Listia is the people that make up the thriving community. From the gifts people find and give to the friends people meet, the impact is always felt. In a new series on our blog, we’re going to highlight the people and the stories that happen every day on Listia.

For our inaugural edition, we’re excited to have All-Star Christina L!

Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Massachusetts and I have resided in New Hampshire for 10 years. I pronounce all my R’s and do not have a “Bostonian” accent, unfortunately.

How long have you been a member on Listia?
As of September 2016, I will have been a member of Listia for 2 amazing years!

What has been your favorite thing that you’ve found on Listia?
I have found so many incredible items on Listia. I would say my favorite was a Build-A Bear gift card for my daughter. The pure joy she had when making 2 bears with accessories at our local mall really made me feel like I found the perfect item! Overall, anything that I get to find on Listia that I can do with my daughter really makes everything in life so perfect.

What do you do for a living?
I am an Arby’s manager and I love my job more than I could ever explain. Arby’s has changed my life for the best and helped make me an overall better person. I believe in the business and I love to make our guests happy with their food and Arby’s experience. I have been in the restaurant business most of my life and could not imagine doing anything different.

What do you enjoy doing for fun? 
During my down time, I enjoy being with my family. We are big car enthusiasts! We love all cars, but are die-hard Ford Mustang people! We highly enjoy taking part in car shows and races in our area. Our daughter, Shelby, has already told us she wants to be a mechanic like her dad! Sorry, Arby’s.

What’s been your favorite thing that you’ve sold on Listia?
I have been able to put many items up on Listia and I cannot think of any one item specifically that is a favorite. However, I really enjoyed doing Nintendo DS kits as well as gift cards that I do not plan on using! Listia gives all kinds of great options to really get your items out there for others to enjoy!

Have you made any friends on Listia? How did you meet?
Listia has had so many wonderful contests and goals that I feel really helped bring the Listia community closer together. Because of Listia’s Facebook page, I have met some truly incredible people! I have made numerous friends through Listia who I speak with quite often!

How has Listia inspired you?
Listia is like no other website. I absolutely love sharing my knowledge about Listia with people I meet and my co-workers. I love making youtube videos of items I’ve won from Listia to share with people who might otherwise, not know Listia even exists! Listia has inspired me not be afraid of telling people I got something for free. Listia has inspired me to be open and tell the world how the website works and give it a try! The worst someone can say is “No thanks”. Of course then, they miss out of some pretty amazing items and incredibly awesome people. Thank you for everything, Listia!

Thank you Christina for sharing your story with the community! If you’d like to share your story email us at ilove@listia.com . Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for more stories and announcements!

As part of our Charity Program, this month we have two new charities to help you give back to your community. With our monthly Charity Program, all members are encouraged to donate funds to charity without spending any money whatsoever.

Members are able to donate a few of their Listia Credits to any one of our monthly charities. While members donate their Credits, Listia matches those credits with real money which is then donated once the month is complete. Over the years Listia members have raised more than $50,000 USD for a wide variety of charities around the world!

The two charities for May are:

Foundation Communities

Listia and Gridmates are on a joint mission to Improve People’s Lives. In the US there are 48 million people who cannot afford to cool or heat their homes, cook for their children or even have light during the night. You have now the power to Energize People’s Lives. By providing the gifts of energy, Gridmates will help power 7 Learning Centers, an initiative of Foundation Communities that provides after school activities for children of low income families in Texas.

Foundation Communities operate 7 Community Learning Centers that are home to free after-school programs for 700 children. By contributing to this campaign, you’ll be helping us keep the PCs, lights and heating/cooling on. We need your support to keep the knowledge going and help children chase their dreams!

Be part of this great cause! You have the power to Empower Students to Dream Big. Click here to learn more or donate today.

 

The Lung Cancer Alliance

The Lung Cancer Alliance is the leading and highest rated lung cancer nonprofit in the country. They initiated and continue leading the fight against lung cancer playing a critical role in every major advance since their founding in 1995. Every dollar provided to them is used effectively and efficiently to accomplish their lifesaving mission to:

• Offer personalized support, information and referral services at no cost through a team of trained, dedicated staff members to help patients, their loved ones and those at risk.
• Advocate for increased lung cancer research funding and equitable access, coverage and reimbursement for screening, treatment, diagnostics, and testing.
• Conduct nationwide education campaigns about the disease, risk and early detection

Let’s show support for these charities and help make the world a brighter, safer place to live. Donate today to help make a difference.