Site recommendation for the economically rough times...

http://www.freecycle.org/

 

Do you have items that are perfectly fine, just not what you prefer anymore?  Don't want to throw them out because that would be a waste of garbage dump space and besides, someone could definitly get some more use out of your beloved item? 

Are you in an econmoically tough space and need any little bit of help making it through?  Do you not mind hand-me-downs and believe in re-using items?

Then this is the site for you.

Go to the site and plug in your city/state or zip code and it will find the group(s) that is closest to you.  Here you can post and read other people's posts of what they want or would like to give away.  Normally it is first come, first serve with the requests.  But all you have to do is answer the original poster, exchange an e-mail with an address and time to pick up your item and there you go!

I have used this over the years and have really enjoyed the opportunity to save a few dollars.  The people (when I have seen them) I have met have been really nice.  Most people leave the items on their porch, though so you don't even have to deal with introductions.

In the past I have received shoes, shirts, pants, belts, oranges, limes, greeting cards and other such items.  Many times offered on the site are moving boxes, clothing for people of all ages, furniture, food and all sorts of things that are way too many to list.

This past experience, I received a a garbage bag full of ladies clothing.  I picked out 8 items, and then three of my girlfriends each picked out about the same.  The rest will most likely be donated or re-freecycled by me.  =)

I do however recommend opening an e-mail account for your freecycling activities.  I have one that I use for all my mail like this, freebies, restaurant sign ups and other such items.  It keeps my actual mailbox free from so many offers.

 

Good luck!