How to Get Stuff for Free: Part of How to Live in Poverty and Still Have it All

Do you think you have to pay for anything worthwhile? Think again! Whether you are poor or well-off, there are many things that you can find that will not cost you anything at all.

Freecycle is one of the best resources for getting what you want. It's an online organization made up of members all over the world. Members can post offers or wanted ads for things they need or would like to give away. Items range from the worthless to real treasures. We received a working clothes dryer and a washing machine that was almost new. I have also seen working vehicles, exercise equipment, and even food. Always follow the rules, be honest, and don't forget to post things you want to contribute as well. Check it out at Freecycle.org. There is also a "free" section on Craigslist.org. Check the listings in your area.

Libraries are good for more than just books. You can also use the internet as well as check out audio books, movies, music, and magazines for free. Why rent movies or get a paid magazine subscription? Ask when they give their old magazines away. Often, people donate their old magazines and the library does not need more than one or two copies. I pick them up by the bundle on Saturdays for nothing. I've got a nice collection of National Geographics that look new and I cut up the others for scrapbooking and crafts. Libraries also host all kinds of fun family events. Pick up one of their free event calendars every month.

Have you ever heard of "free stuff" books? Some companies publish books that list all kinds of things you can get for free such as samples and government handouts. Check your local library to see if you can find any that are not already out of date. Try to get one that has been published within the last two to three years. The others may no longer be useful.

If you are low-income and you are pregnant or have a child under five years old, you may qualify for the WIC program. This is a government-run social services program that provides free food for pregnant women, infants, and children. They provide food that is high in protein such as eggs, beans, peanut butter, milk, tuna or salmon, and cheese, as well as juice, cereal, and carrots. Contact your local WIC office for more information.

If you need food but do not qualify for WIC, you can still get free food. Food pantries, churches, and homeless shelters will often give out packages of free groceries. Call around to see where and when you can pick some up. The food is donated and is usually sorted out into separate boxes with a good variety. Our local food pantries have given us canned fruits and vegetables, milk, beans, rice, oatmeal, cereal, and dried fruits.

Check to see if your town has a reuse center. Our recycle center has an area where people can drop off unwanted but useful items. Anyone who comes by can pick these items up for free. If something particularly nice or in high demand is left, the staff may charge one or two dollars to offset the cost of running the place. Most things are free. We get most of what we own from there including bicycles, clothing, toys, dishes, and appliances. Sometimes we find clothing and other items with the tags still on them.

One of the best ways to get free things is to make friends with your neighbors if they are approachable. When you move to a new place or if someone new moves in near you, stop by and do them a favor, help them move their things into their home, or bring a homemade housewarming gift such as cookies, bread, or pie. Once you do a favor for someone, they will trust you and you will forever be in debt to each other.

When we moved here on Thanksgiving Day, our neighbors realized that with the move going on, we probably had nothing to eat for Thanksgiving, so they invited us over to have Thanksgiving dinner with them. From that day on, we have always done favors for each other that have saved both of us money. When their computer breaks, my husband fixes it for them. In return, they bring us fresh fruit from their garden, worked on our broken edger once, and they come by and mow our grass once a month.