Yay for free stuff! It seems I'm the kind of person who attracts free stuff. I could give you a whole tour of my house because since the age of 22 when I first left home (yikes nearly 18 years ago!) I have collected free second hand stuff that I have scrubbed, painted, re-covered, upholstered....
Here are just a few free things I have received since January
A cute old fashioned Sunday School bench. Doesn't look too comfortable does it? But it's perfect for the back of my sofa.
And this bad boy! I was given this last week, from a lady whose shop was closing. It was used for a window display. It is an old fashioned travel trunk, complete with voyage stickers which I love. No idea how old it is but it weighs a tonne. Can't imagine carting this on holiday these days. Anyway, it's now a much needed coffee table in my living room. Board games are kept inside.
A lovely standard lamp. I had actually been looking to buy a lamp for this dark corner of the room but the ones I saw were very expensive. This looks quite old, made of turned oak, its heavy and solid. It was in a friends garage waiting for the tip!!
A Dyson vacuum cleaner. When my vacuum cleaner broke I put the word out that if anyone had a spare I could borrow until I replaced mine - I would really be grateful. By the end of the day I was offered this and told I could keep it. It needed a good clean out but works perfectly. The lady who gave it to me was older and found it too heavy and had replaced it with a light weight model. Result!
Books. These were given to me last week by a regular book donor. She seems to spend a fortune on books each month, but her partner doesn't like them cluttering the house. I will give these a read then pass them on to Oxfam - hopefully they will get a few quid for them.
Tips for getting free stuffLet people know you welcome free stuff.
Some people don't like to offer their free things incase it may offend, or that someone will feel obliged to take it out of politeness. Talk about the amazing things you have previously been gifted, with friends and colleagues. They may think of you the next time they have a sort out.
Put the word out
If you are in need of something specific, drop it into conversation, ask people you know, use facebook to spread the word. Obviously if you are asking for unwanted things keep it to things that may be junk to other people. For example when I started rag rugging I asked for old tshirts that would be thrown away. (Don't ask for plasma tvs and playstations lol).
Freecycle/Freegle
It's always worth a look. Don't be travelling miles to pick something up you are not sure about or don't really need as it is costing you in petrol. Remember to be super polite as people will remember your name if you are friendly and prompt. Don't forget to give things too.
Be polite
When I have been given free things, I always write a thank you card, send an email or in sometimes a bunch of flowers from the garden. Not only is it polite but you are more likely to be offered things in the future if they know you truly appreciate it. Once a year I get a bag of clothes for my son from a lady I have never met (it's a friend of a friend). So of course I write her a thank you card showing my appreciation - because I really do appreciate it.
Think outside the box
Be prepared to upcycle other people's unwanted stuff. Be creative and consider what something could be with a lick of paint, a change of handles, funky fabric or just a good clean. Could clothes be altered? Or could you use the fabric to make something else? Jumpers can be unravelled to make scarves or woolly socks, tshirts, fleece, leather and boiled wool are great for craft projects.
Skip diving anyone?
If you are walking past a skip and you notice something useful, do go and knock on the door and ask if you could please take it. Skips are expensive to hire so most people are actually grateful for reducing the amount of stuff to be shifted. It is also reducing the amount of stuff going to landfill. Everyone is a winner.
Remember about the cost of refurbishments
Strictly speaking if you have to go out and spend money on materials to make something useful or presentable it is not actually free. Try and be creative with the things you already have. Pots of paints in the garage, and old clothes for fabrics for instance.
Don't be tempted to hoard
If like me you get excited about the free-ness of free stuff you may need to curb your enthusiasm if you do not have tonnes of space for storing all this useful stuff. Anything you receive as a project piece should be finished and in use before you go out and get anything else or you may find yourself with a garage full of furniture and broken odds and ends. Have a regular sort out and come clean with yourself if you are never going to finish a project, give things away to other free-skates!
So are you a free-skate? Do you see other peoples unwanted items in a whole new light? I'd love to read about what you were gifted with recently.
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