by Brenna Hartmann, the Fixie Chick

Most of you know me as Brenna-the-Fixie Chick, today you’ll meet my alter-ego, Brenna- the-Bargain Hunter.  I have to admit, not much gives me greater joy than getting a “good deal” or better yet, getting something for free!  So just recently I signed up to The Freecycle Network™.  . It’s a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free.

The Freecycle Network was started in May 2003 to promote waste reduction in Tucson’s downtown and help save desert landscape from being taken over by landfills. The Network provides individuals and non-profits an electronic forum to “recycle” unwanted items. One person’s trash can truly be another’s treasure!  The network has expanded quickly and today there are almost 4,000 Freecycle TM Communities and over 3 million members worldwide!

It works like this:

When you want to find a new home for something — whether it’s a chair, a fax machine, piano, or an old door — you simply send an e-mail offering it to members of the local Freecycle group.

Or, maybe you’re looking to acquire something yourself. Simply respond to a member’s offer, and you just might get it. After that, it’s up to the giver to decide who receives the gift and to set up a pickup time for passing on the treasure.

If you are looking for something in particular, you can post a “wanted”message.  You all know I love free magazines, so I posted a wanted: “Current Home and Garden Magazines” message in hopes that someone will email me and supply with a big stack of  my favorite thing to read!

The main rule: Everything posted must be free, legal, and appropriate for all ages. Each local group is moderated by a local volunteer and membership is free. To sign up, go to www.freecycle.org

For those of us who don’t have time for yard sales or ebay, but just can’t stand to throw things out, this is a great way to find a new home for your unwanted stuff and make  the earth a cleaner place by keeping items out of landfills.