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Sustainability Tips

posted by Allison on Apr 05, 2013 Leave a comment

Classified ads provide a great resource to engage in both sides of the responsible consumption equation – by buying used, you are ensuring that you are not creating demand for the production of a new item. When you downsize or sell used goods, you are allowing someone else to make a socially responsible purchase.

Consider the impact of the item after you start using it as well. You can reduce emissions by biking instead of driving, or looking for energy efficient home appliances. In addition to being purchases you can feel good about, these investments will save you money on gas and electricity.

Did you know that cotton production typically utilizes more insecticides than any other individual crop? Consider buying used and vintage clothing rather than purchasing new. Many people get rid of ‘like new’ or barely worn pieces – unless you choose to share that the item is used, others will be none the wiser about your eco-friendly fashion sourcing.

Trees and forests are integral habitats for wild animals, and are key to maintaining the natural beauty and ecological balance of Canada. With such a wide array of choices of beautiful used, antique, and retro furniture, you can save trees and money without sacrificing style.

Reclaimed Rustic Harvest Wood Table on Kijiji

The age of technology and gadgets causes a lot of pollution – minimize the impact of your electronics purchases by ensuring that broken ones are recycled appropriately, and buying or selling used devices.

Categories: Awesomesauce, Go Green!, Kijiji for the Home, Kijiji Tips

Can Kijiji help you accomplish your New Year’s resolutions?

posted by emily on Feb 01, 2013 Leave a comment

By the second week of January, most people have abandoned their New Year’s resolutions. It’s now the first day of February, do you fall into that category? Don’t despair! Kijiji is here to help.
We have identified the most popular New Year’s resolutions and come up with ideas on how Kijiji can help you achieve them.

Get Fit

One of the most popular New Years Resolutions by far is to shed some pounds and get into shape. If you are a couch potato, saying you will work out 5+ days a week may not be the best way to start. Setting managable goals, like walking to work, or attending one group exercise class a week will be easier for you to accomplish.

One of the easiest ways to get fit, especially in the cold Canadian winter, is working out at home. We have more then 3,000 listings in our exercise category. Treadmills, Bowflex machines and other high end equipment sell on Kijiji for signifantly lower then their listing price. Even a simple set of free weights can be picked up for a low price, and will help you tone muscle and burn calories in your living room. Browse our exercise section to find equipment that is right for you.

Need motivation? Kijiji has listings of personal trainers and fitness professionals in your local area. Meet with one to see if they can help you meet your goals.

Save Money/Get out of Debt

If you are a regular Kijiji user, this is a no brainer. Shopping on Kijiji can save you money on new and gently used goods, and selling things you don’t use any more will make you money. Its a win win! If you are new to Kijiji, learn how easy it is to post an ad. Also, make sure your ad will get lots of replies by following our tips for writing a better ad.

Spend Time with Family and Friends

Everyone has tasks and chores they don’t want to do. If there are things you could pass off to free up your time why wouldn’t you? Hire a plumber to fix the sink you have been fighting with for weeks. Get a cleaning service in once a month to do the heavy lifting so you can play with your kids.

Can’t find someone who can do the job? Post an ad. With 1/3 Canadians using Kijiji every month someone is bound to have the skills you need.

Get Organized

Kijiji is a great way to find storage solutions for a fraction of what you would spend in a store. From bookcases to vintage trunks and clothing racks and kitchen islands your house will be organized with a few quick searches and an an email or two.

Ikea furniture and storage systems are some of the most popular items on our site. Browse for Ikea items in your local area

When you have the perfect item to store all your stuff, don’t forget to go through it and really evaluate what you use. There is no sense in holding on to items for a rainy day. Selling your unused items on Kijiji will earn you money and help you declutter. Two resultions down in one simple action. See how easy it is to post an ad on Kijiji

How have you used Kijiji to help reach your goals?

Categories: Kijiji for the Home, Kijiji Tips

Stay Green This Holiday Season

posted by emily on Dec 12, 2012 2 Comments

Ever wonder about the impact the holidays have on the environment? Well, Kijiji did and decided to do some homework.

According to 2011 research from the folks over at Smart Planet and Ethical Ocean, holiday toys can account for nearly 70M tons of carbon from initial production and packaging to disposal.

The good news is that according to a recent global online study of consumer behaviour by Kijiji* more than 650 million people worldwide reported exchanging goods for cash online. If trends like these continue, they will help to significantly lessen the impact on our environment.

Trading, recycling or upcycling new and used goods are all great ways for people to reduce a carbon footprint instead of buying from conventional retail environments.

Kijiji Top 3 Green Holiday Tips

Shopping at major chains and department stores that use ground transport + over packaging has a significant impact on the planet. New items can be found using online classifieds sites like Kijiji, often at a much lower cost.
Gift wrapping doesn’t have to be store-bought foil paper with a synthetic bow. We suggests using plain brown paper tied with raffia and a holly sprig. Or have fun with newspaper by using the comic section and fold it accordion style.
Vintage-inspired items are a huge trend this Holiday season, so why not actually give a unique gift that you can’t find in-store – true vintage finds have a “new to you” appeal. This is true especially for children, who love a new toy because its new, not because of the box and plastic it comes in.

Do you try and stay eco-friendly this time of year? Share your tips with us in the comments!

Categories: Kijiji for the Home, Kijiji Tips

Guest Post – How to save money and create show-stopping décor

posted by emily on May 16, 2012 Leave a comment

Guest Post by Vicky Sanderson

Shopping for gently-used second hand items has long been one of my favourite ways to save money and live just a little more lightly on the planet. It’s also ensured that the family’s finances have remained fairly happy and healthy. I love the idea that pieces that have outlived their usefulness for one family go on to become a treasured possession for another, especially if it means they don’t get carted off to an already overflowing landfill site. Chez moi, we’ve always lived by the “waste not, want not” maxim, even before it was cool (which it totally is now.)

In the old days, most of my finds came from scouring thrift shops and garage sales. But I’ve decided shopping locally on Kijiji is faster, easier and greener. It also saves me time and gas money! I appreciate being able to both “watch” items of interest and be alerted when an item that matches my search term comes online. They’ve recently added outdoor items, appliances and reno materials as distinct categories, which makes searching for housewares even easier.

But there’s another reason — on top of all these other excellent ones — for my passion for Kijiji-ing It means my house is full of interesting and eclectic pieces that completely reflect my personal taste, allowing me to create a unique look without blowing the family budget. In fact, Kijiji has become my secret weapon for expressing my signature style sustainably, and on a slim budget. After all, why should I spend $150 on linen pillow shams when I can whip some up out of a pre-loved tablecloth? But because it’s in my nature to share, I’m letting you in on it. Below you’ll find several examples of unassuming pieces, easily found on Kijiji, which I glammed up to create one-of-a-kind décor, accents and accessories.

A spray of rich brown paint was all that was needed to turn this ho-hum chandelier into a chic fixture for a dull hallway. This one cost about $30, including cost of the fixture, new bulbs and paint. I’m sure I’d pay $100 at a swanky store.

Paint out the messy bits on older pieces, and leave the rest as-is.

An old plate becomes a distinctive timepiece. I’ve seen these in vintage stores for upwards of $50. Mine cost $12.

An inexpensive kit turns an urn into a lamp that no-one else will have – guaranteed!

Now it’s your time to share – are you renovating or refreshing your home this spring? What’s your Kijiji secret? Or your best-ever makeover?

About the Author

Having tried and tested just about every new home product, décor item and countertop appliance to hit the market in the last 10 years, Vicky Sanderson is an expert on all things home related. She shares this expertise in Hot Home Products, a widely-read weekly column that appears every Saturday in The Toronto Star and on an interactive community on CasaGuru. Follow her on Twitter @vickysanderson

Categories: Kijiji for the Home

Do you DIY?

posted by emily on Apr 25, 2012 2 Comments

The do-it-yourself (DIY) home maintenance and design trend has taken off over the past couple years. People are taking inspiration from their favorite magazines, blogs or websites and using their own two hands to turn boring items into works of art.

Shopping for furniture or design accessories on Kijiji can save you the trouble of waking up early on weekends to hit local garage or antique sales. Use alerts, a Kijiji free service, to get an email notification of all the newest ads that match your search. You can be as specific as you like, and also set price limits so you won’t see items that are outside your budget.

Even beyond customizing something to your taste, repurposing or DIY-ing gently used items from Kijiji helps the environment. You are saving these items from taking up space in one of our overcrowded landfills.

For people styling on a budget this is a great way to make an Ikea basic yours or old, tired item new again. All you need is a bit of creativity! Freelance journalist and decorating guru Vicky Sanderson loves shopping on Kijiji for items she can personalize. To see some more Kijiji she has personalized you can read her recent article published in the Toronto Star

Watch her on CHCH TV to learn how to update pillow cases, as well as make your own clock and scarf.

Here are some items I found on Kijiji that I would love to personalize: