How to Get Free Stuff and Make Money

In today's market, taking advantage of a free offer or exploring a money making endeavor on the side is all-to-often too good to be true. With so many on-line scams or participation requirement offers, most people have grown weary and albeit discouraged. This article reveals no-strings attached approaches to locating free offers and money making opportunities.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Internet Access
• Telephone
• Transportation
• Overall Goodwill, Courtesy and Respect Towards Others
• Sense of Community
• Ability or Help to Move Heavy Objects

1. One step you can take to open the door to no-strings free stuff is to sign up with your local freecycle community. Go to www.freecycle.org and locate the nearest group or even start one yourself. This online medium allows locals to list free items that are no longer needed or wanted but, are still in good repair or worthy of saving from landfills. It is relatively easy to become a member and once registered, you will receive freecyle emails announcing new items up for grabs as they become available. I opened a free yahoo email account for the sole purpose of freecycling because, some freecycle communities will post free items to your email all day long. All items posted are FREE, however, pickup is usually required. Items posted can range from things such as toasters, books and clothes to higher-end items like grills, washers, furniture and even automobiles! Each member who posts a free offer has full discretion as to whom they gift their wares to. Hint: keep an eye on your inbox and try to be the first responder as some freecyclers give to first in line. Also, courtesy, gratitude and promise for prompt pickup goes a long way! Another great way to becoming a superstar freecycler is to post your own free offers as you come across household items you no longer wish to keep. It keeps a fair balance and quoting Maya Angelou, "we shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands."
2. Another great way to learn of free offers in your local community is to check out your city or region's craigslist...www.craigslist.org. There is a section labeled "FREE." There are also other classified categories where treasures can be found at a great price. Because listings are posted by individuals, offers are posted daily and again can range from anything from old farmhouse windows to someone selling a business. Sometimes, you may be able to barter a service in exchange for an item otherwise listed at a price. For instance, if someone is having a moving sale, you may try sending an email and offer to pick up any unsold items to save them the trip to Goodwill. Or perhaps, suggest that you are very interested in the item that is posted for sale and are willing to pay a lesser price. Most individuals are willing to negotiate a fair price for the sake of getting rid of the unwanted item. I have also found, if there is a genuine need for an item, sharing your human story can sometimes result in receiving an item for free. Have tact, I do not suggest begging or harassment. State your interest and thank the person for his/her time and consideration and leave it up to them without pressure. Email makes this easier on both sides. There have been times when someone was politely open about their needs and I responded with more than what they asked...I have also been on the other side and received many a blessing due to utilizing a pleasant approach.
3. Free can also be approached as an opportunity to cash in. Tap in to your unique talents and reap great rewards. Are you a handyman? Fix up free items that are in need of repair such as washers, lawn care tools and equipment, etc. and repost them for sale on websites such as ebay and craigslist or your local newspaper's website. Oftentimes, local newspapers will post items being sold for $50 or less at no charge.
4. Not a handyman? If you have a way to transport large or heavy objects, spend a little of your free time scrapping metal. Metal scrapyards are located on the outskirts of nearly every city and are paying well during wartimes. Metals of all kind are being shipped oversees to be recycled in to war effort materials. Make the most of it and take your metal finds (broken appliances, junk cars, anything metal, aluminum or copper) to these scrapyards...They weigh your vehicle, unload the items, weigh your vehicle again and hand you cash in exchange for the load depending on the weight. Aluminum and copper pay the most, but, all metal can be turned in to cash. This is a great way to supplement the rising cost of fuel and groceries. Call your local scrapyard and ask for the pay scales and do the math yourself to determine what you can expect. My local scrapyard pays 5 times less than my hometown. So, when I travel home, I take a load with me and drop it off there, paying for the fuel it took to go see my family. This is also a great little side effort to save for that favorite piece of furniture you've been wanting, a nice dinner or, hey perhaps that long-awaited fishing trip!

Tips & Warnings

• These are just a few ideas that have worked for me personally. It's great to keep an open mind and look outside the box for ways to enhance life and supplement your existing circumstances.
• Remember taking advantage of what others have to offer and taking advantage of others are two separate matters. Treat others with compassion and respect and know we are all here together, and life can be fulfilling and rich and, for the most part, enjoyable.
• Use caution and common sense when locating offers online that put you in direct contact with otherwise strangers. Don't pick up free items at night and take a friend with you whenever possible or let someone know the location you are going to pick up a free offer.