Do you want to get rid of your stuff but don’t want to just throw it away? Here are 5 ways I swap stuff for free. What I like about swapping is that it’s very easy. Sure, I’d love to sell stuff on eBay that I no longer use. But, I don’t have time to take photos, write descriptions, price everything, track purchases, and otherwise deal with the hassle of being an online seller. Swapping is the perfect solution, and these methods make it easy to do.
Plus, when you exchange items for free, in addition to getting rid of clutter and reducing waste, you free up your budget for other items you need to buy. Some green products may be a little more expensive than their conventional counterparts, but when you swap out stuff for free, you make more room in your budget for the green essentials you want.
Of course, there’s another way to increase your budget for green items Use a Cash Back Credit Card when you shop, and use that free cashback money to top your overall green living budget. That’s why we’ve teamed up with CreditLoan.com on this post. Swapping for what you want, and using cashback to help you afford what you need, is a great way to help pay for your green lifestyle.
5 ways to exchange stuff for free
Books – Set up a small free library
little free library I know this is the easiest way to swap books. Here’s how they work: You build or place a water-proof box where it can be accessed at any time of the day or night (many people keep them on their front lawn). The box isn’t very big – maybe 24 inches wide and 30 inches high. It closes with a latch, but does not lock, so one can put a book in or take it out. It can have 2 shelves so that 20 or more books can be kept in it. 
Anyone walking in to shop is welcome to pick up a free book. You can even put out a book of your own for free – really, that’s the idea. Take a book out, put a book in there. If you don’t want to make an actual box, you can do this get creative By using a waterproof trunk, an old refrigerator, a small furniture chest, or anything else that helps hold books.
Of course, you can always donate books to a school or library. But for a true swap? Consider setting up a small free library on your block and encourage neighbors to do the same. You can also set up free libraries in apartment buildings and condo and townhome complexes.
Clothing – Set up a clothing exchange with friends and neighbors
Mothers are masters when it comes to changing their children’s clothes. For a mother who has a baby, it is easy to change the clothes of her grown child. Teenage girls are also very good at swapping. It stretches their budget and keeps them updated about the latest fashion without spending too much cash. But what if you need to clean out your own closet and want to make a little change to your wardrobe? Try organizing a clothing swap with friends and family, or coworkers at work. Here are the basic “rules” to help make it successful. Essentially, host a fun coffee or happy hour. Invite as big or small a group as you’d like. Ask everyone to bring clothes that are clean and in good condition. Have a space where all clothes can be organized by size and/or style. Then let the swapping begin. Donate any leftover clothes to a local charity.
Garden Plants – Swap seeds, seedlings and the plants themselves
Changing garden plants is no easy task for many reasons. Plants can be expensive, and there is no guarantee that they will thrive in your garden. When you swap, you get free plants, keep plants out of the trash if you don’t compost, and can get access to plants from gardens that get the same amount of rainfall, sunlight as you. Or insects are found. Swap plants informally through a neighborhood listserv, or join your local garden club and start an annual springtime plant swap. By the way, in place of the vegetables and herbs you grow, you can also replace those vegetables and herbs that you do not grow.
Children’s goods – replace toys, games and sports equipment
Children usually outgrow their toys and games long before they can. This is the kind of stuff that has a tendency to pile up and create a lot of clutter, so why not put it to use by setting up a swap? You can organize it the same way you organize a clothes swap, but with an added bonus: Get your kids involved, and teach them to swap and share from an early age, not just Always think that they should be the first to buy the news.
Food – You make two, she makes two
Meal swaps are great when you want to eat delicious homemade food, but you don’t have time to cook and go shopping every week. One year, a neighbor and I, who both worked outside the home and had two small children, decided to swap meals during the week. She made enough for my family two nights a week, and I made enough for her family two nights a week. It was a great way to eat a delicious dinner every night without having to worry about it. Also, it introduced us to dishes the other was unfamiliar with. If you do this, set it to trial for a month. Agree on ingredients and make sure you know if anyone has any food allergies. Then, find the best delivery time. (This isn’t a potluck, so people aren’t going to each other’s houses for dinner, although they could.)
What are your favorite ways to exchange stuff for free? Please share!
10 Questions Related to Swapping Stuff for Free:
- How to Build a Little Free Library in 10 Easy Steps?
Provide a step-by-step guide with pictures for constructing a weatherproof Little Free Library.
Include tips on choosing a location, obtaining materials, and decorating your library.
Briefly mention resources for finding free Little Free Library blueprints online. - How to Host a Successful Clothing Swap Party?
Offer detailed instructions on organizing a clothing swap party for friends, family, or neighbors.
Include tips on setting guest expectations, categorizing clothes, and creating a fun atmosphere.
Briefly discuss promoting your swap party through social media and local community groups. - How to Find and Join a Local Plant Swap?
Explain how to locate plant swap events in your area through online forums, gardening clubs, and social media groups.
Offer tips on preparing your plants for a swap, like proper labeling and pest inspection.
Briefly mention online platforms dedicated specifically to plant swapping. - How to Organize a Children’s Toy Swap Playdate?
Provide a guide for planning a playdate where children can swap gently used toys.
Include suggestions for setting age-appropriate swap guidelines and keeping kids entertained during the event.
Briefly mention donating leftover toys to local shelters or charities that accept them. - How to Initiate a Meal Swap with a Neighbor?
Offer step-by-step instructions on proposing a meal swap to a neighbor, including considerations like dietary restrictions and portion sizes.
Include sample meal swap schedules and tips on packaging and delivering meals safely.
Briefly mention online platforms that connect people for meal swaps in their communities. - How to Throw a Zero-Waste Themed Swap Party?
Explain how to incorporate the concept of reducing waste into your swap party by encouraging reusable plates and decorations.
Offer tips on promoting swapping as an alternative to traditional gift-giving occasions.
Briefly mention additional ways to reduce waste at your swap party, like offering compostable tableware. - How to Upcycle Old Clothes Before Swapping Them?
Provide creative ideas for refreshing or upcycling clothes before swapping them, like adding embellishments or altering sizes.
Offer tutorials for simple DIY projects that enhance the value of clothes intended for swapping.
Briefly mention the benefits of upcycling clothes before swapping, like reducing waste and creating unique pieces. - How to Organize a Skill Swap for Learning New Things?
Explain the concept of a skill swap where people exchange knowledge and expertise instead of physical items.
Offer tips on finding potential swap partners with complementary skills you’d like to learn.
Briefly mention online platforms dedicated to facilitating skill swaps in various fields. - How to Host a Community Freecycle Event?
Explain the concept of Freecycling, which involves giving away unwanted items for free to people in your community.
Offer guidance on organizing a Freecycle event, including promoting it, setting up drop-off and pick-up locations, and managing expectations.
Briefly mention online platforms dedicated to Freecycling and local resources that might support your event. - How to Start a Neighborhood Buy-Nothing Group?
Explain the concept of Buy-Nothing groups, where members offer and request unwanted items for free within a localized online platform.
Offer instructions on starting a Buy-Nothing group using social media or dedicated platforms.
Briefly mention the benefits of Buy-Nothing groups for reducing waste, building community, and finding hidden treasures.
FAQs:
Begin by placing a waterproof box accessible day and night, encouraging neighbors to take or leave books freely. Creativity is key – you can repurpose various items like old refrigerators or furniture chests as book containers.
Invite friends, family, or coworkers for a fun gathering where clean, good-condition clothes are swapped. Organize items by size or style to facilitate easy browsing, and consider donating leftover clothes to charity.
Join local gardening clubs or utilize neighborhood listservs for informal plant swaps. This not only provides access to free plants but also ensures compatibility with your local climate and environment.
Involve kids in the process to teach them about sharing and reduce clutter. Organize swaps similar to clothing exchanges, encouraging families to exchange items their children have outgrown.
Coordinate with neighbors to cook extra portions of meals, swapping them to enjoy diverse homemade dishes without the hassle of cooking daily. Establish ground rules, consider dietary restrictions, and determine the best delivery times.
There are resources online with instructions on building or finding a Little Free Library. Stock it with used books and encourage neighbors to take and leave books freely.
Invite friends and ask them to bring clean, gently used clothes. Organize them by size and style for easy browsing. Set ground rules like “one item in, one item out” and donate leftovers to charity.
Partner with a neighbor who enjoys cooking. Agree on a schedule where each of you prepares meals for the other’s family a few times a week. This allows you to share delicious food without the hassle of daily cooking.
Neighborhood listservs, gardening forums, and local garden clubs often host plant swaps in the spring. You can also swap seeds and seedlings informally with gardening neighbors.
– Be clear and detailed in your listings.
– Communicate effectively with potential swap partners.
– Arrange to meet in a public place for the first exchange.
– Trust your gut instinct and avoid swaps that feel risky.