I love thrifting, but there’s one thing I like even more than finding something for a few dollars: finding it for absolutely nothing. Free is a price I can almost always get behind.
And you’d be surprised by what people are willing to give away. Furniture, moving boxes, dishes, kids’ stuff, appliances, books, home decor, garden supplies, and perfectly usable household items are posted online every single day, often simply because someone wants them gone quickly.
The trick is knowing where to look. Instead of focusing on free samples or offers that require coupons, rebates, and a dozen steps to claim them, these are some of the best websites and online communities to check when you’re looking for actual things you can bring home for free.
Nextdoor
Nextdoor can be surprisingly useful for finding things being given away right in your neighborhood. People frequently post free furniture and household items when they’re moving, decluttering, remodeling, or simply trying to clear something out before trash day.
Proximity makes it especially convenient. Instead of driving across town for a free end table, you may find someone giving one away only a few streets from your house.
Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace may be known for buying and selling, but don’t overlook the things people list for free. Search “free,” set the price to $0 when that option is available, and check listings in neighborhoods close enough for you to pick up.
This is an especially good place to look for larger items that people don’t want to deal with moving, including couches, tables, dressers, shelving, patio furniture, and appliances. Just read the description carefully because “free” doesn’t necessarily mean perfect, and you’ll want to know about stains, missing pieces, damage, or repairs before making the drive.
Buy Nothing
Buy Nothing is one of my favorite places to look because the entire idea is built around neighbors giving things to other neighbors instead of throwing them away. Depending on your local community, you might find everything from furniture and kitchenware to toys, clothing, plants, moving supplies, and leftover materials from home projects.
The good stuff can disappear quickly, so check regularly and respond promptly when you see something you need. You can also post an “ask” for something you’re looking for rather than waiting for someone to offer it.
Freecycle
Freecycle has been helping people give unwanted belongings to someone who can use them for years. Rather than sending perfectly usable things to the landfill, members post them for others in their local area to claim.
What you’ll find depends heavily on where you live, but furniture, household goods, garden supplies, electronics, books, and building materials can all turn up. It’s particularly worth checking if you’re furnishing a home on a tight budget or need something that doesn’t necessarily have to be brand new.
Craigslist
Don’t forget about Craigslist’s “free” section. People who are moving, renovating, cleaning out garages, or replacing furniture frequently post things simply because they need them picked up.
You may come across everything from desks and dining tables to scrap wood, moving boxes, landscaping materials, appliances, and exercise equipment. Some listings are curb alerts, so if you really want something, don’t assume it will still be sitting there several hours later.
OfferUp
OfferUp is another resale marketplace where you can find items listed for $0. Searching “free” can uncover furniture, children’s items, home decor, appliances, outdoor equipment, and other things people would rather give away than haul off themselves.
Pay close attention to the condition before arranging pickup, particularly with appliances and electronics. A free refrigerator that doesn’t cool or a television with a broken screen isn’t much of a bargain unless you already know how to repair it.
Trash Nothing
Trash Nothing connects people with unwanted items to people nearby who can use them. Listings can include furniture, kitchen items, clothing, garden supplies, electronics, toys, moving materials, and all kinds of everyday household goods.
It’s worth checking alongside larger platforms because you won’t necessarily see the same items everywhere. When you’re searching for something specific, having another local free-stuff source increases the chances that you’ll eventually find it.
Facebook Free and Curb Alert Groups
Beyond Marketplace and Buy Nothing, search Facebook for local groups using phrases such as “free stuff,” “curb alert,” “freecycle,” or “free items” followed by the name of your city or neighborhood. These groups can be especially active at the end of the month, during moving season, and on weekends when people are cleaning out their homes.
Curb alerts can be a gold mine, but they move fast and usually aren’t reserved. If the post has been up for a while, check for an update before driving across town because someone may have already grabbed it.
