resources in the real world

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

I've never heard of this! Maybe cause we don't have anything like this where I live! But it sounds cool!

Yes http://www.freecycle.org is really an amazing creation. I've given lots, haven't received yet though!

www.craigslist.com gives away alot of free stuff 2 or people just want to get rid of it really cheap!!!

They have bartering services also...and there located in every
state...somewhat like ebay but no fee to list.
No bidding...Flat prices....!!!

Also includes a section for personals & roommates.

Just about everything under the Sun!!

Firgures...I don't live anywhere near a big city!!!! GRR!!!!

We have http://www.kijiji.com/ too here in the States. Thanks, MzJelloFluff, for mentioning it; never heard of it.

I have a friend who buys a lot of her household stuff at flea markets; she and another friend go every Saturday morning to a circuit of various flea markets in their area. It sounds like fun but I'm not that early a riser

I have a neat free bookstore where I donate my used books, "The Book Thing" http://www.bookthing.org/ and anyone can go and get as many books as they like, totally free.

I second Freecycle ... but ya have to be quick when some one offers something. Also, don't be afraid to ask for things. There was a girl on our freecycle that asked for a wedding dress for her friend, her friend was afraid to ask.. I gave them my beautiful wedding gown and matching beaded shoes. I have boys ... I don't see them needing it in their future

i seriously need new furniture and beds..... i hope they have fairly new, comfy, and nice ones. i can't afford to get them. i also need delivery and people to take my old furniture away. most importantly, i hope they are of good quality and comfort because i hate it when things fall apart around me. i will definitely look into these organizations, internet and local.

my recliner used to be my grandpa's and it's over 30 years old!

and my bed? omg! i've had it since i was in high school, so it's 15 years old! it's quite comfy, but has a spring sticking out of the side of the mattress. recently, one of my pets urinated on it, and i haven't been able to get the smell eradicated. should have gotten a waterproof mattress "bra." i hope i can find a good set of mattresses because i can get achy if i have an off-day as a result of my depression. also need a bed pillow. the one i have is worn out, but still comfy (stinks, though). i absolutely need new bedding because mine smells. if this grosses you out, my apologies. it's only my pet's urine and i have cleaned it with an enzymatic cleanser that's used for biological messes. definitely get waterproof "bra" when i get new mattresses. enough of my rambling, lol!

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