Get Stuff for Free

You’ve heard the cliche “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.”  This is truly what goes on within this internet group that tries to keep things from landfills by giving one’s “junk” away to someone else who will “treasure” it.  This is a broke person’s mall.

The internet group I am speaking of is FreeCycle.  It is a collection of neighborhood e-mail groups where people can offer items they no longer want or need, or ask for items.  If you have something you would like to offer, you post an OFFER message that gets sent to all the members of your group.  Those interested will then e-mail you to ask to be considered for the item you are offering.  You choose the person who will eventually get the item.  If you are looking for something, on the other hand, you can post a WANTED message, and members that have that item to offer will e-mail you. 

There is no payment or trade allowed.  Items are usually left out on the porch or driveway for pickup, so there is minimal embarassment involved.  The trick for getting the item you want is to be the fastest pickup.  The recipient provides manpower and transportation.

During my more prosperous times I had started replacing my kitchen appliances, but the hard times hit before I could replace my stove.  The stove was puke-colored (though some may say it is almond) and 20 years old.  It worked perfectly well, but it bugged me that it did not match the rest of the appliances.  Petty, I know, that is why it was not a high priority in my list of big ticket items.  One evening, I came across a FreeCycle offer for a 6-year old white stove.  I sent an e-mail requesting to be considered for it, and to my great surprise, I was chosen to receive it.  That stove is now in my kitchen, and my almond-colored old stove was picked up by someone else who was starting over and would put it to good use.

Give it a try.  Find a FreeCycle group near you!