If you woke up broke

I was reading a blog recommended on this forum call Recraigslist

http://recraigslist.com/2013/07/how-to-start-from-zero/

He posed a question and then went on to explain how he would do it
The question was what if tomorrow you woke up broke, how would you start over.
So here is the scenario

You are completely broke and in a new city.  No friends or family but you do have a car and a smart phone.
This is on the craigslist forum for two reasons
1. This month's contest
2. I would start by checking the free stuff on Clist.

I would love to hear your strategies and stories.

Craigslist free around here is tough. You have to be a vulture swirling around the site waiting for updates and email as soon as you can. I had an app on my phone, and it alerts me when the free section has new listings. I don't get the alert quick enough to respond first. It's tough to get the nicer stuff that's free. Where I would start is bikes. Buy a bike for $10, put $20 in repairs in, flip for $60-$200. It's low up front, the reward doubles your investment at least. Than move up to bigger stuff like appliances, etc.

This is how: http://oneredpaperclip.blogspot.com/

CL saved my butt about 10 years ago after a lay off.


CL "Gigs" was awesome.   Got work 2-3 days/week.  Physical.  House demo, landscaping.....

Put up ads in CL "Services" for auto detailing.

Flipped items from CL "Free"

Sold my junk there.

And found my next job there.

Craigslist is easily the most versatile site in my opinion.

I didn't know about the Gigs thing. 

I didn't know about the Gigs thing.

Services too. I've placed ads there on occasion when business was slow. I've picked up a few grand and a couple of repeat customers along the way.

I didn't know about the Gigs thing.

A friend of mine is a freelance writer.  He does a lot of technical writing. Picks up assignments at newspaper that staffers don't want. 

But between gigs he picks up a lot of work off CL.  It never pays well but its a night or two of his time to organize their thoughts or polish up speech, paper or script.

I mostly just grabbed the physical labor.  Some pay well, some you get into job and realize you got screwed.
I've tried a few times for people looking for autobody but every time what they want to pay wouldn't even cover cost of supplies. 

theres a number of documentaries and books not on exactly this topic but same idea, with basically a smartphone and craigslist you can iethe rrely on the kindness of strangers or hustling to make your way. theres a movie called craigslist joe and i think another few small youtube docs about this

I've done some focus panel stuff through gigs. It's about an hour phone call, or you go in and spend an hour talking about a particular topic. Kinda fun, easy $50 when you're in a pinch.

I've done some focus panel stuff through gigs. It's about an hour phone call, or you go in and spend an hour talking about a particular topic. Kinda fun, easy $50 when you're in a pinch.

i apply to some of these but either never hear back or its at a time that doesnt work for me. some seem to pay pretty well though