I love free cycle. i got rid of some old exercise equipment that was still perfectly good that i wasn't using an it all went to people who will really use it. Once I get my butt around to spring cleaning I hope to have lots of other stuff to give away. I'm trying to simplify my life.

i used to love auctions for getting stuff cheap when I was right out of school. My roommate and I basically furnished our apartment with really nice stuff from auctions, at a fraction of the price new stuff would cost. I still have a lovely old dresser that's solid wood (smoked oak) that I bought for $50 at auction. The trick with auctions is to know what you're willing to pay, know what you're bidding on is generally worth and as long as you're not buying genuine antiques you can get some really good deals.

I love flea markets too. Lots of good finds there.

I also love consignment clothing stores. They're not necessarily cheap, but where I am there are a few consignment shops where wealthy and executive career women sell their clothes on consisgnment once they're bored with them. It's still not as cheap as goodwill or value village, but you can get really nice stuff for work at less than 1/2 the price of buying new. Also great for evening wear.

--splitimage