As the economy continues to flounder, more families are looking for ways to pinch pennies. When it comes to saving cash, the best bargains are free. Here are three ways you can find the things you need without spending a dime and without clipping coupons.
Free Cycle
Freecycling is like recycling with a twist and the rules are pretty simple. Freecycle organizations allow you to give away used items and to acquire things that you need from other members. You can find free books, housewares, clothing, toys, televisions and computers through freecycle. There is no charge and no barter. All exchanges are free, with no strings attached.
To participate in freecycling, visit freecycle.org to find a local organization. Once you’re registered, you may list items you don’t need and take items offered by other members that you do need. You can also make a “wanted” post to request items you are seeking.
Really Really Free Market
Really Really Free Markets are like huge yard sales where everything is free. At a Really Really Free Market anyone in the community is welcome to bring goods or offer services to others at no charge. Almost anything can be offered for sale at a Really Really Free Market. You might find books, clothing, housewares or furniture.
To participate in a Really Really Free Market, check out ReallyReallyFree.org and find a market in your area. After that, simply show up at the scheduled market date and time and do some cash-free shopping.
For Free on Facebook
More and more folks are turning to Facebook as a way to get rid of their old stuff or acquire new stuff for free. The latest craze takes the idea of Freecycle and Really Really Free Market and adapts them to the Facebook platform.
To find a For Free on Facebook group in your community, do a Facebook search on the words “for free” followed by the name of your city or county. You are likely to find a number of groups where users can list items they no longer need or search for things they want.
Benefits
Besides the cost savings, there are other benefits to participating in free markets. First, because goods are offered a second life, they don’t end up in landfills. Second, when you use these services, you help decrease needless production of new goods. That’s good for the environment and good for your wallet.
Tightening your belt doesn’t have to mean going without pants. A quick search on the internet and you may find additional services that allow community members to exchange goods at no cost.