The Kim Komando Show Even as the economy seems to be getting better, finances remain tight for many people. No one wants to spend money too frivolously, and many even find some of the things they need for free. Would you like to be one of them? There are a number of online sites that exist just to list free stuff. Others have portions of their sites dedicated to those who wish to give things away. You can find air mattresses, clothing, plants and furniture. I've even seen stylish, fairly expensive appliances listed on such sites on occasion. You never know what you'll find until you look. Here are 5 places to get you started.This site virtually invented online classifieds. Even today, its sales section is incredibly popular. But did you know it also has an area devoted to free items? Just go to the For Sale section and click the Free link. Some interesting things I discovered in our area just this week included: an entertainment center, landscaping rocks, a 32-inch flat-screen TV, "nearly new" baby clothes and a sectional.
That's several hundred dollars in stuff right there, even at garage sale prices. All you have to do is go pick up what you want! One caveat: Craigslist users have been plagued with some bad incidents in recent years. Be sure to use caution before allowing a stranger to come to your house or before going to their place. People who use Craigslist often choose to meet in a public place, such as the parking lot at a Starbucks, where they'll be in view of others. And it's always a good idea not to go alone.A lot of what you throw away ends up in a landfill, even when it's still perfectly usable. Many people are using local Freecycle sites to find a good home for their useful castoffs. The concept of Freecycle is to keep things out of landfills needlessly. It works on a membership basis, and you generally apply to join a local site in your area. Once you are a member, you can post items you'd like to give away. As a member, you'll also see what others are offering for free. Nothing is to be sold.
Many of these groups don't work on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to read the rules of the group. Additionally, if you only take and never give (especially if you post too many "wanted" requests), you could find your membership curtailed. But items given away through Freecycle are often higher quality than on more anonymous classified sites. I found children's clothes, a pool table, several printers, books, a leather recliner and more.eBay is best known as an auction site, but it also includes a robust classifieds site. That includes a section for free items. Just look in the Free Stuff category. I took a quick look and found a baby crib, a like-new complete living room set (um, purple), landscaping bricks and quality wallpaper. You'll also find a lot of pets that need good homes.This site is similar to the other classifieds sites with one big difference. Everything on this site is free. I saw a child's play set, car rims and chairs. It's best to stick to your local listings.
Most people are trying to get rid of something quickly, so they don't want to deal with shipping.Consider trading for what you want or need instead of paying. This is one of the fastest growing, nearly underground forms of commerce today. You probably have something you wouldn't mind giving away. Yet it could be exactly what someone else needs. You can trade for electronics, antiques, furniture and instruments. There's even a section for working vehicles and real estate. You can also trade for services. For instance, if you are a graphic designer or a message therapist, you might be able to swap your services for legal advice or other needed expertise. Others arrange to switch houses for a low-cost vacation. The system is very flexible system. Just use reasonable caution, as always, when making any arrangements. Kim Komando hosts the nation's largest talk radio show about consumer electronics, computers and the Internet. Copyright 1995-2012, WestStar TalkRadio Network.
free bedpin 2heart 1speech 3free CRIB, KING BED FRAME, BOX SPRING AND 3 CHAIRSpin 2heart 1Twin sized mattress (no bugs)pin 2heart 2speech 1Free Queen Sized Mattresspin 1heart 1speech 2these ain't mines, but they behind my neighbor's building. take 'em!pin 1heart 1Mattresses StoresFree Craigslist MattressesMattresses BedFurniture BuyingFurniture Here SFurniture LearnBed Bugs TreatmentTreatment SitePest ManagementForwardemail me for the deets!!!!!!!!!!See Morepin 1FREE Queen size mattress and box springpin 1speech 1image 2pin 1heart 1speech 1loads of free beds!!!pin 1heart 3Fondest ChildhoodChildhood MemoriesFree Craigslist MattressesNoticed YearsOld MattressGrandparents BedEventually WearsBeds SpringsSad TruthForwardslightly used mattess. free OBO LOLLLLLLSee Morepin 1heart 1speech 1Mattresses are expensive, and sometimes the need for a new one comes at the worst possible time for your budget. With some careful searching, you may be able to find a good used mattress for free. Start by asking friends and family members for some help;
perhaps they have a mattress you can have or know someone who does. If that doesn't work, you will have to expand your search. Hotels and Apartment Complexes Stop at a nice hotel and ask if they have any mattresses they want to get rid of. Explain your situation and that you seek a free mattress. Even if a mattress is not readily available, the manager may be able to inform you of future remodeling plans or when they plan to replace old mattresses. Talk to the manager of an apartment complex, a rental property manager or landlord to ask if a free mattress is available. In many instances, tenants move out of their rental properties and leave mattresses behind, sticking the property manager or landlord with the responsibility of removal. Your search for a free mattress could result in your doing a favor for a property manager or landlord. Furniture Stores and Thrift Shops Some furniture stores offer removal services when they deliver new mattresses to customers. Stop at a furniture store and explain that you are seeking a free mattress;
they may have one in storage they are wiling to give you. Some thrift shops prefer not to sell large items like mattresses, but that does not stop people from donating them. Check with thrift shops in your area and ask if they have any mattresses available for free. Charitable Groups and Food Pantries Check with your local city or county government to ask if charitable groups in your area donate mattresses to people in need. If one exists, they can connect you with a spokesperson for the group. If you are in need of a mattress because of a fire or natural disaster, make contact with a local American Red Cross unit. While you may not be in need of food, food pantries are very organized in their giving efforts. Even though they may not offer mattresses to give away, food pantry volunteers may know someone who does have a mattress they don't need. Check online and print sources for free mattresses in your area. Websites like Freecycle or craigslist have sections for freebies, including large items like mattresses.
There is no fee to join, and you can search giveaways for free. Do a search for a local social media group, many are on Facebook, that are organized to give items away or offer them at greatly reduced prices. Check online classified ads from several sources in your area. Look in the "Free" or "Give-Away" categories of the classified ad sections of local newspapers. Also check categories for "Household Items." Look in the paper for upcoming yard sales or moving sales in which mattresses are listed for sale. Stop by the sale close to the end of it. If the mattress hasn't sold, ask the sellers if they are willing to give it away. Some people may be happy to get rid of it instead of having to store it longer or move it themselves. Use safety precautions when agreeing to meet a stranger from an online community or that you've contacted from a newspaper advertisement. What to Look for Even a free mattress is no good if you can't use it. Before agreeing to take a free mattress, inspect it for bedbugs and mold.
If you see any of the following signs of bedbugs, don't accept the free mattress. But you can tackle mold and mildew. Look for small spots of rust or red color on the mattress top, a sign that bedbugs have been crushed on it. Dark spots about the size of a pin head could be bedbug or other insect excrement. Also look for small husks about 1 mm in size, the eggs or eggshells of bedbugs. Look for bugs around the mattress piping, seams and tag. Signs of Mold and Mildew Mold or mildew may be present as gray or black splotches or streaks. If the mold and mildew are not too severe, you can clean it with a solution of 1 part hydrogen peroxide to 3 parts water or 1 part rubbing alcohol to 1 part warm water. After cleaning, allow the mattress to dry and air out in the sunlight. If you can't find a free mattress, try these tips for getting a heavily discounted one: Prices on mattresses generally have a high markup. Try negotiating a better price.