after seeing rainbowzz drive... i thought that maybe folks could use some tips on getting free or cheap stuff...

please add to these

freecycle is amazing (and rainbowzz i hope you see this as we are in the same area). Freecycle is a yahoo group network. You just search for it in yahoo groups and join whichever one is local to your area. You cant buy sell or trade, but everything is FREE.. both giving and wanting. i posted that i needed a bed and i got a really nice queen size for free.

in NS we have kijiji.. dont know about elsewhere. It's like a buy/sell ad service which is localized and pretty fast. You can place ads for wanting/needing free or cheap stuff

of course we all know about the local thrift stores and such... but check into them.. you don't need to be homeless to shop in those. In one place i lived they had one run by mentally challenged people and the purpose was more for work than profit... which meant the stuff was real cheap and because they are a respected organization they got really good stuff donated.

medications... most docs have a decent sample supply and will often help if they know you need it. ALL the drug companies have compassionate need programs. Ask your doc as to how they work in your area.. sometimes they are run by health groups, sometimes you have to apply directly to the company.

seek out barter groups... if you can do house cleaning you might be able to barter that for a more expensive service or product... dog walking.. painting... whatever

i hope others know of good ways to help ourselves out