Now that you’ve considered the idea of buying used goods, let’s sweeten the deal. How about getting them for FREE?
Freecycle: You know I love Freecycle. I get great new-to-us toys and other household items there (remember this huge castle?). Basically, Freecycle.org is a local community group that saves items from going to landfills by sharing them via an email group. You post what you’re offering and someone who needs/wants the item contacts you; then you arrange pickup. If you need something, you post a “wanted” email, and hopefully someone has what you’re looking for. I have gotten everything from paint to kids’ winter coats on Freecycle. Just last week, I picked up a nice king-sized duvet cover with matching pillowcases for FREE.
Freepeats: Freepeats is a great new service offered in 50+ cities nationwide and growing all the time. It works like Freecycle, where you post to a group what you have available and what you’re looking for, but Freepeats is limited to maternity, baby, and kid items. It’s a great resource. Here in the DC area, it’s just getting started and we need more members—so join us! It costs $1.00 to register, then you can start giving and receiving.
Local Networks: Do you belong to a MOMS Club, a multiples club, a church group, etc.? Whatever your social network is, send an email out to the group asking for whatever you’re looking for. It’s likely that someone has one they’ll give away or let you borrow. Back when my twins were infants, I needed a second swing but didn’t want to pay for a new one since it would only be used for a little while. Another mom was happy to lend me hers and free up her storage space for six months while I used it.
Craigslist: Your local Craigslist has a FREE section listed under the “For Sale” category. Just look up your town or neighborhood and see what’s being offered. If you’re looking for something specific, you may need to look for several weeks or months, so keep that in mind. This month, I picked up a box of scorers and wallpaper remover so I can start on that ugly bathroom project.
When you take part in the cycle of receiving things for free, it’s great to give back. When you’re done with your children’s toys and other equipment, what about sending them back out into the community? Giving and receiving FREE items throughout your community not only saves you money, it also helps the environment. Instead of sending useful items to a landfill, you’re also saving the energy needed to create and package new products.
Getting items for FREE works with new products, too. Do you know how to get toothpaste, feminine products, make-up, and more for FREE through The Drugstore Game? Look for Habit #9 in my series of 20 Money-Saving Habits for 2009 series next week, and I’ll share some great strategies for getting new products for FREE.
What have you gotten for FREE?
I would love to buy something and paint it like you have done. Can you explain how to do that for newbies? Thanks a million!
Yes–it's in the pipeline. I have a lot of posts and not enough time to write them all…
I just discovered Freecycle and LOVE it. Granted, I have not yet retrieved anything on there, but I have listed something that I wanted to declutter and got rid of it right away! PS- just discovered your site… great ideas and tips, thank you!
-Cara @ repurposeful
Just an FYI for you and your subscribers. Craig's list has child porn on it under adult entertainment. I was just alerted to this fact and thought you would want to know considering you have mentioned them on t.v. and your site. I was appalled and I thought that other moms may want to know about it. I think if you want to find free stuff and give stuff away, Freecycle or Public Auctions is a better way to go.