Instead ofspending tens of thousands of dollars, Jilishitz found a cheaper (free!)
alternative: Buy Nothing groups.
The name might seem a little misleading.
Its not that youre getting nothing.
Its that youre notbuyingit.
Ive seen people give out grills and furniture from bed frames to couches, Jilishitz said.
Ive gotten a baby bassinet as well as tons of clothing and shoes for the kids.
Yes, its as good as it sounds.
Heres everything you oughta know about snagging and offloading items through Buy Nothing groups.
What are Buy Nothing Groups?
Buy Nothing groups are local online communities of people giving away and receiving items for free.
If you live in a city, the items are usually exchanged at a given time.
But at the end of the day, its an honor system that doesnt require anything from you.
Its a win-win for everyone involved.
But did you know theres even more you could be doing to cut back on spending?
Check out some of our favorite ways to save money below.
What Can You Get From Buy Nothing Groups?
it’s possible for you to get nearly everything from Buy Nothing groups.
There are some items you cant give away.
This is truly a free site only.
You brew coffee at home, you dont walk into Target and you refuse to order avocado toast.
(Can you sense my millennial sarcasm there?)
They write about its condition.
They will also explain if any pets or smokers were around the item.
Finally, they explain what bang out of pick up theyre requesting.
PPU means porch pick-up, where they would leave the item outside their door.
How Can You Find Them?
Most of the Buy Nothing groups are on Facebook.
Anyone giving away an item must report its true condition.
Sure, it might be more difficult to get rid of a chair thats ripped.
But if you list that chair in perfect condition, its going to be very upsetting for the recipient.
This is a first-come, first-served group, so the first person to respond gets the item.
If that person changes their mind, then the giver will go down the list.
We all understand that life gets busy and sometimes, we forget things.
But do your best to show up when you say you will.
Finally, theres a large emphasis on Buy Nothing groups being neighborhood gems.
Can You Survive 10 Days of Budgeting?
If you gotta wrangle your budget, it may be time to consider a savings challenge.
The pros: Did we mentionyoure getting this stuff free?
Maybe this will be your lucky day and youll find the exact item you need.
However, youll most likely need to be flexible.
Also, the majority of the items are in used condition.
Poshmark is also a good alternative if youre seeking clothing or accessories.
Finally, I always love to check out Etsy for vintage items.
Often, these are practically given away, and you might find everything from vintage dishes to vintage furniture.
Pro tip: Put the item you want in your cart and walk away.
Usually, the seller will offer you a discount within 24 hours.
Drowning in Expenses?
Maybe youre scrambling after your car broke down.
Or you got a medical bill you werent expecting.
Or inflation has finally pushed your budget over the edge.
You dont need to go it alone.
When money is tight,these resourcescan help you manage unexpected expenses without stress.
Her work has appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, Real Simple and more.
