This page contains the following solutions.
We have 3 kids; a 5 year old son and 8 month old twins. We use freecycle.org to help us pass on items we don't need anymore to prevent them from going into landfills and we use this group to obtain items such as clothing, furniture, toys, household items, etc. We save money and we are also helping the earth.
Freecycle.org is a group which uses yahoo groups to post. There are times where you don't get the item you need, but you can also post a want post on the group page. Make sure you read the rules and etiquette on your freecyle group to avoid any problems such as posts not getting posted.
By Crystal from New Jersey
Enormous medical expenses have me in the red now. That and being unable to work at all have contributed to the red hemorrhage. I am a major devotee of Freecycle. In the last month I have given away household linens, food, and books, and have been given stickers for a pots and pans promo at Albertson's (bought a much needed pot for 1 cent with these), brand new hiking boots, and a gorgeous plant stand that will use some craft skills to create an interesting place to display my numerous houseplants. Amazing what people NEED and what people give away.!
By Linda from Vista, CA
I am always happy to hear about the many thrifty people on this site who are finding deals on used appliances and household needs, but I am dismayed that not everyone seems to be aware that there is an option for getting used appliances and other stuff for free by checking for a FreeCycle group in your area.
FreeCycle is a non-profit, web-based organization where people post things to give away or request things they need. You are not allowed to sell anything on the site, it really is just about reducing, re-using, and recycling. That is keeping stuff out of landfills and trying to keep the earth intact for our children. This is their link:
I strongly encourage you to see if there is a FreeCycle group in your area. If there isn't, consider starting one!
By tahlula from Northfield, MN
I have been a member of Freecycle for a long time. Freecycle is an organization that keeps usable items out of the landfill by giving them to other members. I have both given and received many items.
Yesterday, one of the members suggested that we donate any unused makeup and toiletry items to women who are getting ready to re-enter the work force. Samples were also accepted.
I think this is a wonderful opportunity to show the true meaning of the holiday season.
Have things in your house to get rid of? Need items? Have you tried http://www.freecycling.org? It is a website all over the US where people are giving stuff away, just have to pick it up.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
With so many ThriftyFun members being Freecycle members as well, I hope someone can answer this question.
In the past I have had questions for the local Freecycle moderator, none were answered. Recently, I submitted a post asking for old telephone books, July 18. It is still 'awaiting mod approval'. I sent an email to the moderator to ask if something was wrong. I've never gotten a reply.
Then I submitted another very similar post, July 28. It too is 'awaiting mod approval'.
I would like to contact the home office or head moderator to ask them if there is a problem. I cannot find any way to contact anyone other than the local moderator.
Does anyone know how?
I am a moderator and have begged for help in my group. No one has stepped up to help. As a result, if I am on vacation or sick or when I had surgery, it sat for over a month.
I assume your moderator is away for some reason. In the meantime, there are Facebook groups that perform the same function. Try to find one of those or try Craigslist.
When I first joined Freecycle, over two years ago, I saw some things offered that I would like to have. However, by the time the items were posted, they were already taken. At the time, I did not know you could go to the site before new posts were published and ask for the items.
I wrote the moderator asking how they were posted and taken in the same publishing. I never got an answer. That was over two years ago. Neither have any of my questions since been answered. If she/ he's been away that long, it's too long.
Freecycle is in need of moderators. It is all done for free. You probably aren't getting an answer because there is no one in your area to answer it. I would go to the site(freecycle.org)and see if there is a national email or number you can call. I didn't see one. You might also put up a note on the Facebook Freecycle profile and see if you can get some feedback that way.
Actually - I think I do. I have contacted someone before and they answered within 24 hours.
You can try this email but I think it may be best just to say you are having problems and not give any other information until they contact you. I remember that I used another email address rather than the one listed on freecycle. I'm not sure all that is necessary but I got the information I wanted.
ThriftyFun is one of the longest running frugal living communities on the Internet. These are archives of older discussions.
Do you have stuff you want to give away or is there things you need here is a website where everything is FREE, you can give your stuff away or ask for donations of things you need. Check it out it is great and saved my family lots of money and helped me clean out the stuff I no longer need. Also keeps all this stuff out of the land fills remember your junk is someone else's treasures. Here is the website address.http://www.freecycle.orgHave fun to you all and HAPPY HOLIDAYS
By Debbie from Berwick, Maine
Editor's Note: Although we've mentioned it before, Freecycle is a great resource for giving away or getting items that people are letting go. For those of you in financial difficulties this year, post what you need on Freecycle.
Feedback:
Check out http://www.freecycle.org. This site is for people within a community to post items they wish to get rid of or they are looking for. No money is exchanged, all items are free for the taking to the first person who responds. The taker is responsible for the pick up. I am not an owner or moderator of this site, just a very satisfied member who wants to share the news.
By Kellie S (06/09/2004)
Thank you for the site. (06/09/2004)
By Vicki
In the Virginia suburbs of Washington DC you can find a fabulous freecycle group of nearly 400 members at -http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dullesfreecycle/ (07/06/2004)
I've discovered "Freecycle". The worldwide (!) Freecycle Network is made up of many individual groups across the globe. It's a grassroots movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. Each local group is run by a local volunteer moderator (them's good people). Membership is free. Here is the website: http://www.freecycle.org/ I've already been able to give away several items that have been cluttering up my closets or garage, but are perfectly good for someone who wants them. One person's trash can truly be another's treasure!
By MahopacNYMommy (08/16/2004)
I don't know if this appears elsewhere on this site or not - if it does, sorry http://www.freecycle.org/ I was introduced to it just a month or so ago and I LOVE it ! I think you will too !
melody_yesterday (10/05/2004)
Join the Freecycle site in your area. I belong to 4 locally and have picked up some nice things free. http://www.freecycle.org
By Betty G. (11/19/2004)
There's a world wide group called 'http://www.freecycle.org' It's to save items from going into the garbage and recycle instead. If you'll logon to this site then go to your section of the country and click on that, you'll get a listing of states and then groups by town/area in your state. There is no charge to join, no charge to giveaway stuff, and no charge to post a 'want' message. It's all free. The guidelines are posted on the site. It's seems to be a wonderful group and it gets a lot of activity in my area which is Northeastern, PA.
By Cynthia
Editor's Note: Although we've mentioned it before it has been a few months and it is a great resource for all areas. If there isn't a group in your area, start one. Freecycle facilitates each area listing their own group. (02/10/2005)
I always check www.freecycle.org before getting rid of something that is still useful but that I no longer need.
I also check there first if something that I am looking for might be available for free!
By Dawn S. (03/04/2005)
I don't know how widespread this is, but in our area, we have several "Freecycle" groups. People post things they would normally throw away, and you can go get them - or ask for things. I wanted to paint my 2 bathrooms, living room, and doghouse, and I got 20 cans of paint for free (about 7 gallons, the others pints)!! To see if there is a Freecycle group in your area, go to Yahoo Groups and search for "Freecycle" and your city name. Or maybe you can start one! http://www.freecycle.com
By Tracy
Editor's Note: We have been advocates of Freecycle for quite a while now. I read an article today in E Magazine (Environment) which says that with 1/2 a million members Freecycle is keeping 33 tons a day out of the landfill. We highly recommend starting or joining a group in your area. (03/18/2005)
Hi Folks,
For those of you who requested instructions for joining a Freecycle Group in your area, go to www.freecycle.org, and click on your area... southeast, or wherever, and look for the closest group near you. You will probably find one in your own town. It's really the greatest way to get some of the things you need while helping to keep our landfills free of usable clothing, furniture and so much more.
Happy Freecycling,
By Julia in Orlando, FL
This will be my first time! Just checking out the freecycle stuff in my area. (04/16/2005)
By Sharon
For all people who are on a tight budget there is a site that is absolutely fantastic. It is http://www.freecycle.org Go to the location nearest you. What this site is people post articles that must be free it has everything from clothing, furniture, vehicles, toys you name it is there and best of all they are all free. They would rather see stuff recycled than have it go to the dump which lots of people do when spring cleaning and getting rid of stuff they no longer use.
Hope this helps,
Judycues from Canada (05/27/2005)
This is such a great idea.......it is better to give it away,than to throw it away...... (07/17/2005)
By 72471
Check out http://www.freestuffse.com also they have lots of excellent links on how to get free things on the internet. (07/20/2005)
By Ben
Freecycle - A way to recycle goods in your local areaID LIKE TO JOIN I'M ON A TIGHT BUDGET WITH 3 BOYS AND I'M A SINGLE MOM (09/14/2005)
By GWENDOLYN
Ok I give up, I must be doing something wrong. First I post things and then give them to the first person and no one shows up. Then I reply to postings that I want and am told that I got it and then nothing, No email no directions no nothing. Really just about had it with freecycle (11/09/2005)
By bluesarg
The worldwide (!) Freecycle Network is made up of many individual groups across the globe. It's a grassroots movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. Each local group is run by a local volunteer moderator (them's good people). Membership is free. (12/13/2005)
I joined this not long ago and have received and given away a few items. I love it. Would like to get some kind of free bartering system going also but not sure how to start it, also broke down by county of course. If anyone knows of this please contact me at seachelle1 @ cox.net (12/14/2005)
By Dede
I just heard about this wonderful website, my daughter just moved into her own apartment, she has 2 boys age 2 & 4. She needs living room furniture such as a couch, loveseat and also a dresser for the boys room!
Editor's Note: This site is not Freecycle but we highly recommend them. Go to: http://www.freecycle.org
Put in your daughter's zip code to find a local group, join it and post what you need or watch for those items. (05/03/2006)
By tammy
Excellent idea wish I had thought of it. Have been bartering and exchanging goods and services with my friends for years. I hope it becomes common place and let's rid this country of selfish consumerites that are so wasteful! (05/24/2006)
By Rachel
Maybe here I can find what I'm looking for (09/07/2006)
By kelli
i can't seem to get on the freecycle web site to get free stuff round my local area.
Editor's Note: Not all areas have freecycle groups. You may have to start one yourself. Go to http://freecycle.org/startagroup/
(09/08/2006)
By christine
How do I join
Editor's Note: Go to: http://www.freecycle.org
Put in your zip code and look for a group near you. Then click on the link for that group and join the group in your area. (09/18/2006)
By tina
I have went to freecycle.org and www.freecycle.com or http://www.freecycle.org and can not get on to the site. Please email me and let me know what to do. My email is luannyates at bellsouth dot com. Thanks, I can't wait to try it out
Editor's Note: It was slow getting my connection but it is there. You may have to wait a while for it to load. (07/31/2007)
By l.yates
It's a wonderful grass roots movement that is a great way to unclutter your home of unused items and a way to pay it forward by offering it to your local neighbors so they might use it.
This may seem like a "no-brainer" tip but I CANT stress this enough! Anytime you need something LOOK ON Craigslist or Freecycle.
For the past year I have discovered the greatest thing! It's called Freecycle.
Check Freecycle Before You Buy. One of my new favorite things I am getting into is my local freecycle group. I love it.
