How To Get Everything You Ever Wanted Without Spending A Dime

I always say, “the dollar is only worth something because we all agree it’s worth something.” I live in a town where more than 50% of people are below the poverty line. Most of my friends are on Food Stamps or some form of welfare. I started to wonder how long this town has been so poor. That got me thinking about how people used to get what they needed 100 years ago. They would barter and trade. I said to myself, “well, why can’t I do that?” So, after a little bit of research, I found some websites I could use to trade my old stuff for things I actually wanted. Here is what I found: 3 Places To Trade Your Old Stuff.

FREECYCLE

On Freecycle, you become a member of groups (areas you wish to trade from). Then you post “wanted” ads and “offers” to trade with other people in the area. According to their mission statement, they want to “build a worldwide gifting movement” to reduce waste. I have never used this website, but I have heard a lot of really good things about them. They are totally non- profit, and it is the first trading site I have seen whose first goal is to reduce waste.

CRAIGSLIST

Okay, so Craigslist has gotten a bad name through the years, but it has turned out to be a great place to trade your used items. It works just like Freecycle, but you can also use it to trade services. I personally use craigslist to trade babysitting services for candid photos of families to put on my website.

LISTIA

Listia works a lot like eBay, except instead of exchanging cash you exchange points. You get points by selling your stuff in an auction, filling out surveys or purchasing the points with your debit or credit card. Then you use those points to the win auctions other people put up. I have been on Listia for almost a year, and I have already gotten more than a dozen free movies for doing surveys and auctions.

1. Cheaper- It doesn’t matter where you live. The whole world is going through an economic crisis. There is just not enough money to go around. Trading is a great way to get the things you want for free, and get rid of the things you do not want.

2. Less wasteful- Ever heard the saying “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure?” The online bartering and trade world is totally based on that phrase. Millions of pounds of unwanted things, that still work, are thrown out each week. By trading online, we greatly reduce the number of wasted products.

3. Learn to barter- Bartering is a very useful skill to have, especially in such a messed up economy. I have even gotten free stuff from stores by bartering.

• Pay attention to the ratings of others before you agree to a trade. The ratings will give you a better idea of whether you can trust the person. The more ratings (good or bad), the better idea you will have of how successful the trade will be.

• Follow through and be honest. Don’t lie or exaggerate about anything to do with what you want to trade. Send your item in the mail within three or four days. This will ensure a good rating, which you will need if you want to trade again.

When was the last time you bought a big ticket item without using credit? In this economy, buying anything over $100 takes a lot of budgeting. But what if you could get the little things you want or need for free by trading? These websites will help you get the things you want, and get rid of the things you don’t.