Freecycle

Prepare to be introduced to one of the greatest organizations, freecycle.org. That's how we got this great chalkboard, pictured above, for FREE!

It's easy: you sign up, and then voila! See what is offered and act quick if you want it. Post stuff that you would like to get off of your hands. The great thing is that items go to the people that need/are interested in them and they come get them right off of your front porch!

My favorite aspects of the program: 1) it is based on location and you can search in your immediate area, 2) it's a great way to get rid of things that would normally go in the trash (partial containers of cleaners, paint, broken things that other people know how to fix and will use), and 3) it's such a great way to share with one another the things that we have! I've mostly used it to de-clutter my life by passing on things like house plants, outgrown girl toys, & fabric scraps, but we've scored on a few counts. When people post things that they want, I like to offer it if I have it. It seems like if I share my excess now, when my need comes it will be met. My mom used to have a framed cross-stitch saying in her kitchen, "Cast your bread upon the waters, and it will come back to you later, buttered." Happy freecycling, folks!