A powerful approach for self reliant people is to hold onto your cash and find ways to get things done for little or no cash, here is my advice to self reliant individuals seeking to purchase at auctions.

Years ago I used to attend and participate in live auctions regularly. I still participate in eBay auctions (Many of these tips apply to eBay auctions, but there are other considerations that I will address in a separate, future post). Here are my auction buying success tips:

1. Know values-- By knowing values you will not pay too much and you may uncover hidden values
2. Use money management-- Have a budget and stick to it. Overages or underages on early lots should impact your budget for later lots
3. Don't show too much interest-- Think "poker face". Never give away your position on any one lot
4. Carefully bid other people up on lots you don't want-- Kill their budgets. I have done this a few hundred times and never got stuck with a lot I didn't want. Auctions are a competition
5. Remember, only the last bid wins-- This is usually not the first bid. Hang back and swoop in at the last moment
6. Always try to sit in the back-- This allows you to see others bidding, and not be seen bidding by them
7. Have fall back lots-- If you lose on early lots, be ready to bid on other lots (I used to rank lots as "A", "B", and "C")
8. Don't get caught up in the moment-- Getting emotional (excited) can cost you
9. Be open to counteroffers-- I was sometimes approached at the event by people seeking to buy what I just acquired
10. Explore "after auction" purchases-- Sometimes the auctioneer will let you buy unsold lots at the opening bid (No competition is nice)

Good luck!

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Related Posts:
DDFD's Views on the Self Reliance Workshop and What's to Come . . .  
There is a Solution to Every Problem . . .  
Self Reliance is About Power . . .  
Self Reliance Builds Self Esteem . . .  
Are You a Sheeple? 

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DDFD believes that self reliance and self sufficiency are the roads to individual freedom.  He is dedicated to living a quality life through frugality, personal growth and productivity, and defensive entrepreneurship.  He also enjoys cooking from scratch and fishing.