Totally cool way to save the environment and your incredibly shrinking wallet

I am so pumped. I joined a website a few days ago, www.freecycle.org, and already am reaping the benefits.

The site is based on the premise that instead of throwing away something that might still be useful to someone else, you give it away – for free. And instead of buying something that someone else might have but no longer needs/uses/wants, you ask for it from the group. And it is all free. No money to be exchanged by either party.

So, wanting to do my part to hold the tide of ever growing landfills while also keeping my own money in my own wallet, I joined. And then I posted a request for a breadmaker. And then I waited.  And in less than 48 hours, I not only brought my new Breadman Plus Breadmaker home, but also a Lil’ Tykes sandbox and picnic table. How cool!

So, in case you’ve not heard of freecycle, you should check it out and join. Go to www.freecycle.org. They will ask you for your zip code to find the group nearest you. And if there isn’t one? Well, start one yourself.

In the meantime, I’ll be going through my son’s matchbox cars to give to another lady who needs them for a little boy she babysits. And here I just thought I’d have to throw away all those toys.