Americans are selling belongings just to make ends meet. Many are struggling with debt, raising prices in gas and food as well as utilities. The cost of health insurance and prescriptions on are on the rise also. To help meet their needs many people are selling family heirlooms as well as their own belongings on websites such as eBay , craigslist, auctionPAL, LiveDeal, and eBizAuctions.
The internet isn't the only place people are unloading their belongings. Flea markets, consignment shops and pawnshops have also seen a boost in items being brought in for sale. For many people, this is not about down sizing but the need to pay for the necessities to live.
At the pump, the average national price of a gallon of regular gas is rising almost everyday. Gas prices are approximately 67 cents higher than a year ago, and are expected to continue rising through the summer months. Many Americans are choosing to sell their gas guzzling minivans and purchasing smaller, more fuel-efficient models.
U.S. food prices rose 4 percent in 2007, compared with an average 2.5 percent annual rise for the last 15 years, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. And the agency says 2008 could be worse, with a rise of as much as 4.5 percent. For some parents, that means adding an extra cup of water to their soup, watering down their children's milk, or giving their children pop/soda because it's less expensive than milk.
Steadily rising health care costs are consuming an ever-growing portion of American's household budgets. Many, under age 65 are in families that will spend at least 10 percent of their income on health costs in 2008. The main reason consumers are spending more on health care is because of rising health insurance premiums. Between 2000 and 2007, the average annual premium for job-based family health coverage paid for by employer and employee combined rose from $6,351 to $12,106, an increase of more than 90 percent. Despite decreases in generic prescription costs by large retailers, formulary and non-formulary co-pays continue to increase as well.
American's are looking for fast and easy ways to fill in the gaps the economy has created. Selling what we own, to make money to meet our basic needs is a last resort for some, but they only answer for many American's today.
