Freecycle!

[TNShannon]

Lately I've been making good use of a program called freecycle. It's an email network of people in your community, and here's how it works:

If you have something that you no longer need, but it's still in good condition and it would be a shame to send it to a landfill, recycle it by posting it as an "offer" on freecycle.

If there is something you need but you can't afford, ask for it. Post a "wanted" ad on freecycle and explain what you need.

For instance, I did this with a Christmas tree just this week. We had one in our closet that we no longer use, and I figured someone else could use it. I posted it as an offer on freecycle and almost immediately got an email from a woman across town who needed a tree...she had lost her job and couldn't afford one. She got a free tree, I got the empty space in the closet, and we're both happy.

Here's the link to the freecycle site. You will then search for groups in your area, and join a mailing list that is unique ONLY to those in the area...so when an offer pops up, you know it's local, and you don't have to be disappointed to find it's all the way across the country!

http://www.freecycle.org/

It's a great benefit for those who need a bit of help, and I've made a few good friends from the exchange, too. What's not to love?

[betty_lou]

WOW that is an awesome site. Thanks for sharing this information I have an entire storage room filled with things that could use a home. They are not really worth trying to sell on Ebay but could still be put to use by someone who needs them.

[TNShannon]

I've had a great time with Freecycle. Just a few weeks ago we picked up a box full of clothes for my son...it was a computer box packed tight. Most of the clothes were designer brands, such as Tommy, GAP, American Eagle, and Ralph Lauren. In excellent condition...and all free.

I gave her something in exchange. We had a brand-new deep fryer that we never use (we don't eat fried foods, and it was given to us as a gift), and now it's hers.

We're both happy, and my son is quite proud of his new Tommy shirts.

[SallySue15]

Thank you for turning me on to freecycle. What a great program! I have quite a lot of items that are stored, that like betty_lou, are not really worth the trouble of selling on Ebay or through Craig's List, but I would prefer to share them with someone in need, rather than throw them away. This is a great solution.

[TNShannon]

We just found an awesome futon bed and chair for my daughter's room...and all for free. In doing so, we also found a home for one of the kittens we have been fostering for a few months. The man who brought the futon to us saw the kitten and fell in love at first sight.

Freecycle has the added bonus of introducing you to people in the community who are in the same situation you're in...I've actually made several friends via Freecycle, which was something I never expected, but I'll definitely take it!

Tell us about your freecycle stories. It's such an awesome program.