We are all trying to do our bit through recycling, reducing waste and reusing wherever possible. You can also tick the environmentally conscientious box by vying for an ever-trendy upcycled number or by purchasing from companies that show a level of environmental awareness (see IKEA's Never Ending List).
For a hat-trick of ideas here's how you can get stuff as well as get rid of stuff free of a guilty conscience (whether for the environment or your budget!). I bring you a list of sites where you can trade stuff for other things, get rid of unwanted items (without adding to the landfill problem!) or exchange them for a bit of the old hardback - or all of the above.
1. Freecycle: I've used this myself and it works. Freecycle allows you to list items you are looking to get rid of, look through items others have on offer or list what you are after. It's all free of charge and works on a regional basis.
2. U-Exchange: This is old school bartering - often for services. For example, when I went in to have a look a woman in Canada was offering boarding for horses in exchange for being able to ride the horse. A man in the US wanted to exchange carpentry services for any kind of transport, from cars to bikes. This also can be filtered into regions and is essentially free, with the exception of large vehicles, boats and property exchange where there is a nominal one-time fee.
3. Swap.com: Here you are asked what you have to trade and what you are looking for in exchange and then Swap.com matches you up as closely as possible with an appropriate candidate. This is also free and works best on a local level. Swap.com has 1.2 million members!
4. ThredUp: Their tag 'Where moms like you swap children's clothing and toys online' kind of says it all. When you join, you are sent 10 boxes which you fill with clothing as and when your children outgrow them. If someone wants them, you post it to them. If you want a box you pay $15.95 plus $5 to ThredUp. This is US based only.
5. PawnGo: OK most of use would probably steer clear of a pawn shop; there's such a stigma attached to them! But via PawnGo you can get cash for goods all online or even take out short term loans on the back of expensive items you own. Of course, they have to fit into a FedEx envelope...
If you found this helpful, other posts that may also be of interest to you are Places to source IKEA when there isn't one near you, How to save 70% on a sofa and Design tips for a recession.
Credit: Mashable
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