Lori Bongiorno

How to find even more free stuff

Freetag / iStockPhoto

There's no shortage of sources for finding free stuff. A growing number of websites are dedicated to connecting you to communities where you can swap what you no longer need, locate stuff others want to unload, and even borrow things from your neighbors. It's also fairly easy to find free samples, magazine subscriptions, and much more.

Saving money is the obvious benefit. However, reusing stuff is also great for the planet since it keeps valuable items out of landfills and also saves resources needed to make new products.

I got hundreds of comments and emails after writing the post How to find free stuff. Yahoo! readers were eager to share their favorite websites. Below is a list of some of the most common suggestions:


Environmental journalist Lori Bongiorno shares green-living tips and product reviews with Yahoo! Green's users. Send Lori a question or suggestion for potential use in a future column. Her book, Green Greener Greenest: A Practical Guide to Making Eco-smart Choices a Part of Your Life is available on Yahoo! Shopping and Amazon.com.

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comments from our community

Showing 1 - 15 of 92 comments

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  • Posted by Webfloss.com Thu May 14, 2009 9:50pm PDT
    Oh, I love freebies! Thanks for posting these links!
    Report Abuse
  • Posted by MoneySaver Fri May 15, 2009 8:05am PDT
    For some more freebies and money saving/earning ideas visit http://www.ManyMoneySavers.com or http://www.ManyMoneySavers.blogspot.com
    Report Abuse
  • Posted by Mike Fri May 15, 2009 2:55pm PDT
    Great article! Please visit curbday.com for a related topic. Curb Day – May 16, 2009 “Give your stuff away” We throw out tons of garbage. Along with garbage, though, we also throw out lots of valuable items – items that others would love to own. Here’s an event that will relieve household clutter, lessen waste disposal costs, reduce stress on landfills, and best of all - provide stuff for people in need. It’s called "Curb Day", and it will take place all over the US on Saturday, May 16, 2009. Please tell EVERYONE and consider participating. To participate, just bring your unwanted – but still valuable – possessions to your curb (if ordinances allow). Then others can pick them up for free over the weekend. Allowable items: working-condition sporting goods, electronics, tools, household furnishings, books, toys, shoes, clothing, plants, building materials, furniture, and durable goods. Prohibited items: dangerous items, weapons, chemicals, illegal items, alcohol, drugs, tobacco products, food, garbage, and recyclables. Please be careful as you drive around this weekend; there might be an increase in traffic. Also be prepared to remove or dispose of items that are not picked up by others. The key to success is nation-wide promotion. Please tell friends about Curb Day. Happy “Curbing”! Mike Morone mike@curbday.com www.curbday.com 585 749-5107
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  • Posted by yogurt80@sbcglobal.net Tue May 19, 2009 1:34am PDT
    What about freecycle? I thought that was a yahoo site? It's very active in my area.
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  • Posted by MackAveli Tue May 19, 2009 2:27am PDT
    where can i find free awesome computers??????
    Report Abuse
  • Posted by orr sr. Tue May 19, 2009 4:11am PDT
    FREE STUFF, I'll go fo that! so hook me up
    Report Abuse
  • Posted by swcouponclipper@att.net Tue May 19, 2009 4:57am PDT
    You can also check out Southwestcouponclipper.com for freebies that you can find at your local grocery/drug store and other retail stores!
    Report Abuse
  • Posted by ike Tue May 19, 2009 5:26am PDT
    i am not sure if this counts but http://www.returnmyfunds.com is available to search for free money. i had over $100.
    Report Abuse
  • Posted by Cynthia E Tue May 19, 2009 5:40am PDT
    Thanks for the tips! There's also some free software that helps you find the best online deals. Get it at, www.myfreeshoppinggenie.com Yeah, this company would like you to become a distributor of this product. But "don't" do that (unless you're into that kind of thing). But get the software...it works great!
    Report Abuse
  • Posted by Kelly Tue May 19, 2009 5:45am PDT
    My daughter has tried TeenFreeway, and nothing has ever come in the mail. I think that one in particular is a waste of time!
    Report Abuse
  • Posted by thegathering1@att.net Tue May 19, 2009 6:34am PDT
    I am 68 years old and back in the fifties they had a carbureted vehicle that would get fifty miles per gallon. While in school they took us to Fresno CA to see this car as a field trip. Get real they have the ability to produce a vehicle that could get from fifty to hundred mile per gallon. I drive a SUV and will drive one until they don't make them anymore. Get a life!!!!!
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  • Posted by SaraR Tue May 19, 2009 7:24am PDT
    The sites "Freenology" and "FreestuffUS" totally rip off all their info from Free Stuff Times. If you compare them to FST, they are exactly the same. The owners of the first two even copied all the "thank you" credits that Chris (the owner of FST) posts in his entries. Those site owners SHOULD NOT be credited for having great sites-- they simply steal Chris' posts, verbatim!
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  • Posted by Melinda Tue May 19, 2009 7:34am PDT
    Thanks for these tips!!
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  • Posted by combustioneer Tue May 19, 2009 8:05am PDT
    There is a site called Freecycle.org where people offer stuff they don't need to anyone who wants it. Typically it is for local come and get it off my porch arrangements but if you find something out of state I guess you could arrange a pickup.
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  • Posted by edohpa1977 Tue May 19, 2009 8:20am PDT
    Sara is absolutely correct. These other sites are absolute copycats!!! freestufftimes.com is the legitimate one of the three!! I can not believe they post them as if they are their own without even a thank you for stealing them!! Horrible people!! Definitely should not get credit for being a great freebie site when they just copied from another site!!
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