I've talked before about how to get your groceries for free.  I never pay for toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, soap, deodorant, toothbrushes, razors, shaving lotion/gel/cream, dental floss, cough drops, or many over-the-counter meds...just to name a few.  There are also many items which I will only get if they are very cheap if not free.  In recent months, I've gotten cream cheese, bagels, mustard, mayo, ketchup, pizza, cookies, crackers, chips, fresh produce, frozen veggies, juice, cereal, organic milk, cat food, dog food, and many other items for free.   I've also gotten movie cash, gas cards, free money (literally...I purchased a gift card and they gave me $30 as a thank you), batteries, copy paper, pens, and other items for free.  (And I haven't even been "fully" couponing like I usually do. I've only been shopping an average of once a month.)

That's not all of it, though!  I've also gotten a steam mop, a lawn mower, a TON of plastic hangars (we left ours in Michigan), Abeka and other expensive curriculum sets (we homeschool), a complete Spanish curriculum set, bookshelves, a couch and loveseat, garden tools, expensive gluten-free foods (someone did a gluten-free challenge then didn't need the products anymore), bikes for the kids, supplies for craft and sewing projects, canning jars, canning supplies...among other things.

How?

Freecycle and the "Free" section on Craigslist. (That's the Craigslist link for the Vegas area.  To find your area, just click your city on the list to the right.  If your city isn't listed, click on the closest large city.  You'll find people will post listings for small towns up to 1 1/2 hours away from big cities.)

For Craigslist, you have to physically go on their site and look through the "frees" section to find what's being offered.  You can also post your own "wanted" request in the free section as well.  You won't typically find as good a response here as you will on Freecycle.

For Freecycle, you'll sign up for the list closest to or in your city.  They recommend but don't require that you post an offer before you post your first "wanted" request on Freecycle.

You can offer or ask for literally anything other than pets on Freecycle.  Granted, I wouldn't expect to get a BMW convertible for free unless you're wanting an old one that needs work (although I've seen a request for a brand new, rare Porsche before...not on the Vegas list).

Why use a place like Freecycle or Craigslist to get free items?  Why not?  Why pay for something when you can get it for free?  Why not be the best steward you can of what you've been given by saving money where you can?  That leaves you more money for giving to others. It also allows you to give unused or unneeded items directly to those in need.