What Comes Around Goes Around

One of my hippy friends just sent me an email about a show Oprah did the other day which included a story about Freegans, which I've heard about many times before, and there was mention of a website I thought some people might be interested in.  It's www.freecycle.org where people offer and find items for free. 

The idea behind it is that we produce and consume and waste so much, rather than adding to the waste, why not use what's already here and help stop our landfills from overflowing.  Apparently you can find a group of people participating in freecycle.org locally in your area.  So if you're in need of home furnishings, clothes, equipment, tools, supplies, books, kitchenware, what have you, check it out.  And if you've got stuff that you want to let go of that's still usable and in good condition, don't throw it away.  There's probably someone out there who'd be happy to take it off your hands.

After reading Eve's post about ideas for stretching $5 to eat, it got me thinking about great cheap and nutritious eats.  Rice and beans, sweet potatoes, bananas and peanut butter, and trail mix first come to mind.  Also, if you don't already know, the produce at Korean grocery markets is super cheap.  Unfortunately it's not certified organic, but if you're temporarily out of cash, I think it's fine to do what you need to do and eat as well as you can in the meantime.

If you're on the opposite end of the spectrum and maybe friends with someone who might be a little hard pressed for cash, invite them over, have a dinner party, pack up all your Tupperware with "left overs" and don't take no for an answer when you ask them to take it home.  I am far from good, nice, or saintly, but no matter how much or how little we have at my house, we try to do it as often as possible.  There was a time when we had to buy food with pennies.  I'm not kidding.  We all need a little help once in a while.  And there ain't nuthin' like some good home cookin' to nourish the soul and body.  Yours as much as your friends.

--Ming Ming

Comments

[Thisdigitalme]

You can also try web sites like scoodi.com. Same motivation but with a cleaner, simpler inerface and more functionality.

[Nicole J. Butler]

I L-O-V-E Freecycle. Throwing good stuff away has never been an option for me. I always give it away to friends, try to sell it, or take it to Goodwill. With Freecycle, you know you are giving away something to someone who will actually use it, and probably Freecycle it again when they no longer want/ need it.

[Freephil]

I like the Freecycle idea but I loved Scoodi. It's a really cool website that promotes re-using - I've got the message! And I've listed. Don't leave it in the cupboard or garage Scoodi it guys!