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☆ We're budgeting $400,000 to flip 5 train cars into Airbnbs. It all started with a 1970s caboose we bought on Facebook marketplace.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Dan Latu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Read previewOne Ohio couple is all-in on ambitious project to turn historic train cabooses into short-term rental getaways. Ray and Karen DeVite spoke to Business Insider about the project, which all began with a fateful Facebook Marketplace scroll. One night, Karen was scrolling Facebook and by chance saw an advertisement for a historic train caboose. Now, the couple has a historic 1970's Chessie System caboose and 1950's Nickel Plate Road caboose, purchased from the same seller they found on Facebook. The DeVites unknowingly tapped into a massive community of train enthusiasts and have been connected with historic caboose fans through Facebook groups.

Persons: —, Ray, Karen DeVite, Karen Organizations: Service, Business, Facebook Locations: Xenia , Ohio

☆ I quit my job as a delivery driver to be a Henry VIII impersonator. This job is my whole life, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Alexandra Bacon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

David Smith dropped his career as a delivery driver and factory worker to become a Henry VIII impersonator. He earns a living by giving talks and performances as Henry VIII at schools and heritage sites. I was eight years old when I saw a portrait of Henry VIII in all his regalia. Everything changed when I found a Henry VIII outfit on Facebook Marketplace for £20 ($25) in 2021. Out of all the events I've attended, that was the one that made me feel most like Henry VIII.

Persons: David Smith, Henry VIII, wouldn't, —, Smith, I'd, King, Henry, Henry VIII's, Anne Boleyn, Marquess, I've, must've, Henry Smith, wasn't, I'm, It's Organizations: Service, Facebook, Hatfield House Locations: Penshurst, Hatfield, Hatfield House, Salisbury

☆ People keep stealing heavy equipment from Home Depot's rental department and selling it on Facebook
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Dominick Reuter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Federal prosecutors in Oregon have brought charges against seven defendants conspiracy to defraud Home Depot. The complaint says the group rented equipment from the retailer using stolen credit card numbers. Instead of returning the items, prosecutors say the crew sold it on Facebook and other marketplaces. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementHome Depot's rental department continues to battle the theft of its heavy equipment in schemes where suspects sell the machinery on sites like Facebook Marketplace, prosecutors allege.

Persons: — Organizations: Facebook, Service Locations: Oregon

☆ Taylor Swift fans in the UK have been scammed out of $1.2 million, bank says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Katie Balevic | Kenneth Niemeyer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

UK Taylor Swift fans have lost over $1.2 million to Eras Tour ticket scams, Lloyds Bank says. Most of the ticket scams targeted 25- 34-year-olds through fake ads on Facebook. AdvertisementIt looks like it's heating up to be a Cruel Summer — at least for Swifties in the United Kingdom seeking Eras Tour tickets. Fans of Taylor Swift have already been scammed out of over $1.2 million trying to purchase concert tickets, mostly through Facebook, according to Lloyds Bank. "For her legion of dedicated Swifties, the excitement is building ahead of Taylor's Eras Tour finally touching down in the UK this summer.

Persons: Taylor Swift, —, Liz Ziegler, Swift, Alma Galvan Organizations: Lloyds Bank, Facebook, Service, Swifties, United, Lloyds, Ticketmaster, Business, San Francisco Better Business, ABC, BBB, Facebook Marketplace, Paypal Goods, Services Locations: United Kingdom, United States

☆ Americans lost over $1 million last year falling for online puppy adoption scams, largely on Facebook Marketplace
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-07 | by ( Kenneth Niemeyer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Americans were scammed out of over $1 million in online puppy frauds last year. AdvertisementA shocking number of Americans are falling for online puppy scams. The Better Business Bureau said it received thousands of reports of puppy scams last year, totaling more than $1 million in losses, according to veterinarians.org. AdvertisementThe prevalence of puppy scams online has led to an official crackdown. The Illinois Attorney General's office, for instance, charged one man with 16 different felonies related to an online puppy scam in January.

Persons: —, veterinarians.org, Katherine Smith, Smith, Prosecutors, Kwame Raoul Organizations: FTC, Service, Better Business Bureau, BBB, Facebook, Craigslist, ABC News, Federal Trade Commission, Illinois, Homeland Security Investigations Locations: North Carolina, Yorkshire, Illinois

☆ This couple spent $30,000 converting a school bus they found on Facebook into a tiny home—take a look inside
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Celia Fernandez | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Tanya Nestoruk and Arya Touserkani bought a retired school bus and made it their tiny home on wheels. Tanya Nestoruk and Arya TouserkaniNestoruk found the retired school bus on Facebook Marketplace. The couple bought the school bus for $7,200, according to documents reviewed by CNBC Make It. Tanya Nestoruk and Arya TouserkaniThe couple wanted to renovate the school bus outdoors, but the Canadian weather had other ideas. The couple spent roughly $30,000 and one year turning the school bus into their home.

Persons: Tanya Nestoruk, Arya Touserkani, Nestoruk, Touserkani, Arya Touserkani Nestoruk, Arya, wouldn't, There's, It's Organizations: CNBC, Facebook Locations: Canada, Mexico, Baja California

Soon after leaving his job, Gallo took an acting class in New York City — which wasn't too far from his home in New Jersey — and fell in love with the craft. He decided he wanted to be an actor and moved to the Big Apple to chase his dreams. His car insurance is also fairly cheap because he's on his parents' plan and reimburses them for the cost. His only other insurance cost is renters insurance for his apartment, since he receives free health insurance through the state. "I am happier now than when I was working for the insurance company," he says.

Persons: Max Gallo, didn't, Gallo, Mickey Todiwala, he's, He's, it's, Sylvester Stallone, Stallone, —, hasn't, steadier Organizations: CNBC, New Jersey —, Apple, Screen, American Federation of Television, Radio Artists, SAG, BMW, Citi, Facebook, Netflix, LinkedIn, Spotify, Hulu, Adobe, Citi Bikes, Insurance, Honda, BMW Roadster, New York City Marathon Locations: New York, New Jersey, Brooklyn

☆ I flew in business class for the first time. It cost $6,000 and was the best flight of my life, but I wouldn't do it again for 5 reasons.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Minutes after settling into business class on an Air New Zealand flight, I had the realization that this plane ride was going to be unlike any other flight I'd taken. A glass of sparkling wine at the author's business-class seat. One flight attendant was pouring me a glass of sparkling wine. A third soon followed to introduce herself and welcome me on the Air New Zealand flight. Before this flight, I'd never spent more than $1,400 on a plane ticket.

Persons: Monica Humphries, I'd, I'm Organizations: Air, Zealand, Boeing, Facebook

☆ Facebook Marketplace is perfect. Except for this one thing.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-23 | by ( Katie Notopoulos | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewI feel confident few will disagree that Facebook Marketplace is the best part of Facebook. Mark Zuckerberg's Marketplace is so successful at connecting people with vintage lamps that even Gen Z is sticking around Facebook just to use Marketplace. To edit the field to add a new custom message, go into Marketplace and click on the little person icon at the top corner. Tap into the profile icon in Facebook Marketplace, and then all the way down to Settings. On Marketplace, there's something nice and quaint about buying and selling used stuff from your neighbors.

Persons: —, It's, I've, Sellers, you've, I'm, chatbots Organizations: Service, Facebook, Business

☆ One Big Reason Gen Z Is Still on Facebook: To Save Money
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Melissa Rohman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

In December, Ellicia Chiu and Cher Su had just a few boxes in tow when they moved into a walk-up apartment in New York’s Lower East Side neighborhood. Before their move, from Los Angeles, the two friends knew that they would need to furnish their new apartment with small kitchen appliances, décor and furniture. But instead of purchasing new items, they knew it would be more affordable to find secondhand items on Facebook Marketplace, the social network’s buy-and-sell service. “I only use Facebook for Marketplace,” said Ms. Chiu, 24, who added that she spent most of her social time on TikTok and Instagram, which is owned by Meta, Facebook’s parent company. For many 20-somethings who don’t have a lot of disposable income, Marketplace is a place to get deals on items they wouldn’t normally be able to afford.

Persons: Ellicia Chiu, Cher Su, “, ”, Chiu Organizations: Facebook, Meta Locations: New York’s, Los Angeles

☆ I earn 6 figures working just 10 hours a week. Here's how I rate my 8 income streams based on difficulty and earning potential.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Aria Yang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Grace Ryu quit her tech job to pursue multiple income streams and now earns over $100,000 a year. Chasing different income streams aligns with my personality — it satisfies my desire to explore and try as much as possible. Here's a breakdown of my eight income streams, with earnings, difficulty level, and time spent each week:Advertisement1. Luxury picnic businessEasy rating: 9/10Lucrative rating: 7/10I run a luxury picnic business with my best friend and my boyfriend. AdvertisementI wish I had diversified my income soonerAlthough building my income streams took a lot of hustling upfront, I wish I had started sooner.

Persons: Grace Ryu, —, Kendra Scott, It's, you'll, isn't, I've Organizations: Service, Facebook, Texas, M University, Brands, Amazon's, UGC, Rover Locations: Houston, New York

The mini totes are offered in four colors — blue, red, green, and yellow — and they are all in high demand. Videos shared on social media show crowds of customers visiting Trader Joe’s stores hoping to get their hands on one of the highly-coveted mini totes. “Our Mini Canvas Tote Bags certainly sold more quickly than we anticipated,” said Nakia Rohde, a spokesperson for Trader Joe’s. Of course, Trader Joe’s mini totes aren’t the first to become a viral sensation. “We do have more Trader Joe’s Mini Canvas Tote Bags coming,” said Rohde.

Persons: ”, Nakia Rohde, Joe’s, Rohde, Huy, Stanley, Wyatte Organizations: eBay, Facebook, “, AP, Philips Locations: Monrovia , California, Huy Fong, New York

☆ These viral $2.99 Trader Joe’s tote bags are being resold for as much as $500 on eBay
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-10 | by ( Eva Rothenberg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —A Trader Joe’s canvas mini tote bag that costs about the same as a pack of gum is being resold online for nearly 200 times its retail price. The Trader Joe’s bags, available in blue, red, green and yellow, have taken social media by storm in the past week, garnering more than 11 million views on Tik Tok. The viral Trader Joe's mini canvas tote bag. From Trader Joe'sSome have been reselling the bags on e-commerce platforms like eBay and Facebook Marketplace. As of Sunday afternoon, hundreds of mini tote bags have been posted on eBay with prices ranging from $5 to $500.

Persons: Tik, ”, “, Stanley tumblers, Stanley Organizations: New, New York CNN, eBay, Facebook, tote, CNN, Target, Shoppers Locations: New York, Iowa, New Jersey

☆ A California man charged with smuggling greenhouse gases hints at the revival of a decades-long black market
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-09 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | Jenny Mcgrath | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

But there's also a blooming black market in greenhouse gases. HFCs are commonly used in refrigerators and air conditioners, but they're also potent greenhouse gases. There's been a thriving black market for climate-altering refrigerant chemicals since the 1990s, at times as lucrative as selling cocaine. KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty ImagesThe black market "comes with the territory" of regulation, Doniger said. At the height of the CFC black market, many cars still used those refrigerants for their air conditioners.

Persons: there's, hydrofluorocarbons, they're, Adrees Latif, Michael Hart, Tara McGrath, There's, Hart, Carlo Allegri, David Doniger, HFCs, Avipsa, Victor Molina, KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI, Mahapatra, Doniger Organizations: Service, Department of, Business, Facebook, Department of Justice, Reuters, Natural Resources Defense Council, NASA, Environmental Investigation Agency, Getty, EPA, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, DOJ, US Attorney's, Southern, of, New York Times, CFC Locations: San Diego, Mexico, Port of Miami, Montreal, Elk Grove Village , Illinois, AFP, United States, of California, HFCs, Europe

☆ I Want the House, Not My Spouse
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-08 | by ( Ronda Kaysen | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

As soon as she knew her husband wasn’t coming back, Terri Martin logged onto Facebook Marketplace and bought a 1949 General Electric refrigerator for $5. Her marriage might be over, she thought, but her relationship with her home certainly wasn’t. “I started to realize that even without him, I still loved the house,” said Ms. Martin, 37, a knitwear designer in Cincinnati. With her husband, Tim Larson, 37, out of the picture, Ms. Martin would no longer have to sell him on her vision of a retro kitchen that would embrace the historic character of the 1916 American Foursquare, a house the couple bought in 2021 for $180,000. “It is exciting to think about doing the entire kitchen now and not having to compromise,” Ms. Martin said on Feb. 1, hours after filing for a dissolution of marriage.

Persons: wasn’t, Terri Martin, “, ”, Martin, Tim Larson, Ms Organizations: Facebook Locations: Cincinnati

☆ Man charged with smuggling greenhouse gases from Mexico into US in first-of-a-kind prosecution
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Laura Paddison | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —A California man was arrested and charged Monday with allegedly smuggling potent, planet-heating greenhouse gases from Mexico, marking the first such prosecution in the US, according to a statement from the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California. He is then alleged to have sold them for a profit on sites including Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp. These greenhouse gases are short-lived in the atmosphere, but powerful — some are thousands of times more potent than carbon dioxide in the near-term. “The illegal smuggling of hydrofluorocarbons, a highly potent greenhouse gas, undermines international efforts to combat climate change,” said David M. Uhlmann, the assistant administrator for the EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. In 2016, nearly 200 nations including the US agreed to the Kigali Amendment to reduce planet-heating pollution from these greenhouse gases.

Persons: Michael Hart, Hart, Todd Kim, HFCs, ”, David M, Tara McGrath, ” Hart Organizations: CNN, US, Office, Southern, Southern District of, Facebook, Justice Department’s, Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Agency, EPA’s, UN Environment, AC, Department of Justice Locations: California, Mexico, Southern District, Southern District of California, San Diego, United States, Kigali

☆ He’s Accused of Smuggling, but Not Drugs or Guns: It’s Greenhouse Gases
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Hiroko Tabuchi | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

On Monday, a California man became the first in the nation to be arrested and charged with smuggling the powerful gases into the United States, a felony offense, according to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California. Mr. Hart then posted the refrigerants for sale on OfferUp, Facebook Marketplace and other sites, and sold them for a profit, federal agents say. Mr. Hart pleaded not guilty. He faces charges of conspiracy, importation contrary to law and sale of merchandise imported contrary to law. Attempts to reach lawyers for Mr. Hart were unsuccessful.

Persons: Michael Hart, Hart Organizations: Craigslist, United States Attorney’s Office, Southern, Southern District of, Facebook Locations: California, United States, United, Southern District, Southern District of California, San Diego, coolants, Mexico

☆ Mark Zuckerberg gave a fan his vintage Facebook hoodie with a handwritten note
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Grace Eliza Goodwin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Mark Zuckerberg gave a fan one of his old Facebook hoodies along with a handwritten note. The fan said the hoodie was posted on Facebook Marketplace to celebrate Facebook's 20th anniversary. The hoodie features a custom lining bearing Facebook's original mission statement. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . The lucky recipient of the Zuck memorabilia, Matt Thompson, posted about it on Threads on Wednesday, sharing photos of the hoodie's lining and the note from Zuckerberg.

Persons: Mark Zuckerberg, —, who's, Zuckerberg, Matt Thompson Organizations: Facebook, Service, Meta, Business

☆ The Saga of the Red Couch
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Dana Thomas | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Toward the end of the Calvin Klein spring 2024 video shot by Mert Alas of the actor Jeremy Allen White stripping down to his skivvies on a Manhattan roof, Mr. White collapses on a red couch for a nap. Of course, the very buff Mr. White is the primary draw for the ad campaign, which generated an estimated $12.7 million in media exposure in the 48 hours after it dropped last month and has been seen tens of millions of times on TikTok. But the red couch is attracting its share of attention, too. It’s the subject of countless memes and TikTok posts, and appeared on “The Drew Barrymore Show,” along with Fernanda Clark, a young woman who won it in a Facebook Marketplace giveaway after recounting to its owner how she had recently been widowed.

Persons: Calvin Klein, Mert Alas, Jeremy Allen White, White, Drew Barrymore, Fernanda Clark Locations: Manhattan

☆ People are trying to resell the Apple Vision Pro outside the US for more than double its $3,500 list price
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Jyoti Mann | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Days after its launch, users are listing the Vision Pro at highly inflated prices outside the US. Some listed it for more than double the official price, adverts seen by Business Insider show. AdvertisementResellers are listing Apple Vision Pro headsets at highly inflated prices in marketplaces outside the US. One Gumtree advert seen by Business Insider shows the Vision Pro listed for £7,500, or $9,400. Apple is yet to announce an official launch date for the UK and markets outside the US.

Persons: — Organizations: Pro, Business, Apple, Service, Business Insider, Facebook

☆ It's not just you — furniture is garbage these days. Here's what you can do about it.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

AdvertisementMike Coleman has seen a lot in his five years selling vintage furniture. Reselling high-quality, vintage furniture is a growing business. taikrixel/Getty ImagesHow furniture materials got so…cheapInnovation in materials during the 20th century disrupted the furniture business. It's not just about where you look for quality furniture, but also about rethinking the decision-making process before purchasing a piece. Coleman, of Big Mike's, said even he acknowledges that in today's world, it's impossible to buy vintage 100% of the time.

Persons: —, Mike Coleman, I'm, Coleman, CoCo Ree Lemery, grandkids, Lemery, Jonathan Adler, it's, There's, she'd, James W, Gayle DeBruyn, Anthropologie, DeBruyn, Gary Coronado, Big Mike's Organizations: Service, Purdue University, Consumers, Furniture, Kendall College of Art, Ferris State University, Urban, Los Angeles Times, Facebook, Ikea Locations: Chicago, China, Williams Sonoma, India, Zara, Banana Republic, Watts, Los Angeles , CA

☆ I moved to San Francisco despite the negative things I'd heard. The cost of living is high but it's worth it.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Jen Glantz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewThis as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Julia Stevens, a 25-year-old who recently moved to San Francisco. In August 2022, a few of my college friends who'd moved to San Francisco invited me to visit them. I'd traveled in Europe during college; even still, San Francisco was the most beautiful and striking place I'd ever seen. San Francisco was perfect for the career path I wanted to takeI majored in English and minored in environmental science. The cost of living is the biggest downsideI wasn't fully prepared for the high cost of living in SF .

Persons: —, Julia Stevens, who'd, San Francisco, I'd, didn't, I've, I'm, outdoorsy, El Salvadorian, it'll Organizations: Service, Business, San, Facebook, Craigslist, Raleigh Locations: San Francisco, Raleigh, America, Europe, San, North Carolina, Santa Cruz, East

☆ From livestreaming to 'shoppertainment,' Gen Zers lead the way in Singapore's online shopping space
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Audrey Wan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Logos of online social media and social networking sites displayed on a smartphone screen on August 01, 2023 in Bath, England. Many social media sites have introduced e-commerce features on their platforms, providing an alternative to popular online shopping sites like Lazada and Shopee. For example, users can purchase directly from TikTok shop or Facebook Marketplace without navigating outside of the application. Creators promoting products can also appeal to Gen Zers' preference for credibility by using livestreaming functions on social media platforms. As Gen Zers are digitally savvy, they rely a lot on social media nano-influencers to guide their purchasing decisions, he said.

Persons: Matt Cardy, Zers, Gen Zers, TikTok, Lawrence Loh, Tracy Loh, Wu Zu, Wu, Loh, millennials, Gen, SMU's Loh, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gen Zs Organizations: Getty, SINGAPORE, Meta, Bain & Company, Research, Social, Facebook, National University of Singapore's, Business, Singapore Management University, SMU, NUS, National University of Singapore Business, CNBC Locations: Bath, England, Singapore, Zers, Southeast Asia

As my living expenses have increased after moving from a condo to a townhouse , I've been assessing how I can spend with more intentionality. I've always prided myself in being somebody who frequently declutters my physical belongings, but four boxes of beauty and wellness products begged to differ. Going into 2024, here are four ways I'm making an effort to spend and save with more intentionality. In that time, I usually find that my desire to buy those items goes down significantly. Build a Budget The best budgeting apps can help you get your finances in order and track your monthly spending.

Persons: I've, Berna Anat, Anat, haven't Organizations: Service, Business, Facebook, Quicken Locations: Berna, O'ahu, Pakistani, Patagonia

☆ A realtor says a $660 apartment listing asking tenants to share a bed proves how 'grim' the affordable housing crisis is
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Maria Noyen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Anya Ettinger said the listing paints a "grim" picture of housing affordability in major cities. But, according to the listing, you wouldn't just be sharing the apartment space — you'd be sharing a queen-sized bed too. According to Ettinger, listings like this one are a result of the affordable housing crisis in Toronto. But as of today, Ettinger said the listing she discovered is just another example of how severe the housing crisis is. "It just paints a very grim picture of the affordability crisis that we're experiencing here," she said.

Persons: Anya Ettinger, —, she's, Ettinger, she'd, They're, Insider's Alcynna Lloyd, Olivia Chow Organizations: Facebook, Service, UBS, CBC Locations: Toronto, Canada

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