I've noticed that in everyone's home is a room full of crap. I'm not talking about fecal matter, I mean junk that they've held onto for ages and don't use or need. But in the hustle and bustle, they never get around to selling it on eBay, putting it on a truck to Goodwill, or even finding a family member who can use it and wants it.

Enter Freecycle. Freecycle is based on the idea that for every person who has something they want to get rid of, there are even more people who actually need the item and will put it to good use. All you have to do is join your local Freecycle and join the listserve.

Freecycle is easy to use. Sign up, and most groups asks that you give away something first. Pretty soon you'll get an email either with every new listing, or you can choose to recieve daily digests. People who want your item will email you, asking for it. Some people give away to the first person to email them, others (like me) will give away to the person who seems to have the greatest need. Arrange to meet somewhere to do the exchange or have them come to your house to pick up the item. It's that simple.

When I was living up in Tallahassee, I got everything I needed for my new apartment from Freecycle members. I got a bookcase, a desk, a bed, kitchen implements, the usual stuff I needed to start out. I've seen all kinds of things on the Freecycle list: old computers, kids clothes, old movies, lots of stuff.

Freecycle is a great way to find things you've been wanting but couldn't afford. But Freecycle is an even better way of getting stuff you don't need to people who could really use it.