TAHOE/TRUCKEE, Calif. – “Freecylcing” is a way to get rid of things kicking around your house and of no use to you. Instead of paying the garbage company to carry them away, post your items online at http://www.freecycle.org and someone else might just need them. We had a box of old random ceramic tiles in our garage. These were the “extra” tiles they always give you in case one should break on your bathroom or kitchen countertop. We posted them and they were gone by the next day. We have also given away fabric remnants, old National Geographics, twin-sized sheets for college-sized twin beds, and a perfectly good inkjet printer that didn’t have the correct connection for our new laptop computer.

The beauty of participating in a Freecycle group is you can also get items you need for free from someone else in our community. Log in to the website and post a “wanted” ad. For example, I started a new exercise program and needed a pair of two-pound hand weights and a pair of five-pound handweights. Within a week two different freecyclers had given their old (but perfectly good) weights to me.

We have been able to get shipping boxes and packing material, a “like new” riding toy for our grandson, chocolate molds, and even new Pamper’s toddler sized diapers from a child who toilet trained.

It is easy to make the exchange. Reply by e-mail telling the person you would like their item. A place is arranged for the exchange. We always find out when the person will come to pick up our used goods so we can put them on our front porch. Other freecyclers arrange to have the pick up done at their place of employment. Truckee Tahoe has a small Freecycle group. If we “grow” the group it will be easier to exchange used goods. Check out the website and sign up. You never know how much money you might save by asking freecyclers for things you need instead of buying them.