Weekly roundup

Hey Budgeters! Here’s what you missed this week!

What is a ‘Buy Nothing’ group?

There are about 128k of these groups worldwide and they all have the same goal: to build community through a gifting economy.

These groups allow neighbors to freely exchange items and services, which means we waste less but also spend less.

These items can range from a loaf of bread to house plants, furniture, really whatever!

They’re typically Facebook groups made up of residents within a certain area. And as you can see, they’re pretty active even when a lot of people are not in the group.

They all have their own rules, but the commonality… everything is free.

Buying, selling, bartering, advertising, and marketing is all prohibited.

How Can I Save Money With Buy Nothing Groups?

The amount of money you might save is very dependent on your lifestyle and how you participate.

But, if you’re someone who knows they overspend on things, maybe this is a way to get you to slow down.

Maybe this is a way to still scratch that itch of “shopping” without actually spending money.

Maybe this is how you can get your friend something for their birthday without spending a bunch of money.

Maybe this is how you can decorate your house or apartment when you move - because on average people are spending about $3k-$5k when they move into a new place.

Katey and I have gotten almost all of our furniture second-hand and have been able to save soo much money.

Especially if you’re buying your first home right now and dropping tens of thousands on a downpayment (or more!).

4 Tips for Buy Nothing Groups

1. Join a group where you live

   The last thing you want to do is spend a ton of money to get the free item. Plus, good items will go fast; if you happen to have mutual friends, you might stand out.

2. Be Open-Minded

   It’s harder to find things when you’re going into these groups looking for a very specific item. The cost of free is the convenience of getting exactly what you want when you want it. Be patient.

3. Check Frequently

   Good items will go fast. But, if you’re really looking for something specific, you’re going to need to check a couple of times a week.

4. Join the Group as Yourself

   People are likely to look at your profile and check your history. People will feel safer meeting someone if they know who they’re meeting. Who knows, maybe you’ll even have mutual friends, they are your neighbors.