This is my favorite Going Green – How to Get Free Stuff – The Easiest Way to De-clutter Tip that I know. Yes, it is all these things rolled-up into one, and it is called Freecycle
Here’s How Freecycle works:
Freecycle is the Best! In a nutshell, Freecycle.org is a website that people give away their still-usable but no-longer-wanted stuff for FREE. The Giver gets to get rid of their stuff and have it collected for FREE (even big items like sofas and trampolines) and the Receiver gets FREE stuff that they can use or really need. And the best part – because all items are locally exchanged and thus stay out of landfills – everyone is doing something great for the environment.
I wish I knew about Freecycle when I moved into my first apartment! My flat was soooo sparse – a few kitchen items, a bed and a futon in the living room. That was it. Literally. If Freecycle.org had been around then and I’d known about it, I would have been able to spruce up my apartment in record time rather than waiting to afford the things I needed and wanted for life on my own.
Now our lives are different. We are at the stage that we regularly use Freecycle.org to pass on still-usable items that we don’t have space for, have grown out of, no longer have a use for, or just don’t do it for us any more. Of course, occasionally we still come across FREE stuff we have use for which saves us money too!
Here’s some of the best things we’ve gotten and given away on Freecycle.org:
- Flat-screen TV
- Childrens’ Bikes
- Filing Cabinets
- Art & Craft Supplies for the Kids
- Toys
- A Sofa
- Kitchen Items
- Outdoor Garden Table & Chairs Set
- Plant Pots
- Etc etc etc
How Do You Join?
Anyone can sign up at Freecycle.org for FREE. You sign up for your country and local area. (Note: Freecycle is more popular in some areas than others).
Once you sign up, then you can view items that other people are giving away for FREE. You can have these listings pushed to your mobile phone too, so you can always see what’s on offer.
And you can list items you’d like to give away
This is How Freecycle makes the process Safe – No one’s information, contact details, address or anything else is shared on the listing – In fact, this is Freecycle’s policy. The Giver will receive messages via email from all the responders hoping to be awarded the item. Once the Giver decides which Recipient will be awarded the item (this is usually by the first responder method), they send a message only to that person and arrange a time and date for collection.
The Recipient always picks up the item, so the Giver doesn’t have to deliver. We’ve never had any issue with anyone coming to our house to pick up an item. Most people are so nice and grateful for the FREE item, and we are so glad to de-clutter and have someone pick it up! The whole process is so simple, hassle-free, and win-win. We love it!
Also…
Just click for Tips on How To Get the Best Items on Freecycle and Budgeting to Financial Independence (coming soon).
© Make Life Exceptional 2016. Not to be reproduced without permission.
