SwapMamas.com

Swapmamas.com, like Kashless, is another way to get rid of things you don't want and pick up some nice freebies that you could use. What I find most useful about the site is that the items for trading are listed in different groups, or circles, as SwapMamas calls them. So, if you are only interested in baby clothes or craft supplies, you won't have to slog through a whole bunch of listings for old windows and broken computers. You can also swap items like gift cards and grocery coupons. I joined the gift card swap circle, and offered up a $15 Best Buy gift card, looking for Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, or similar cards in return. So far, no takers. But, the idea is cool.

You can work out a trade with someone who has what you want and wants what you have, or you can give your items to one swapper and get items from another. The giver pays shipping, and gets karma in return (their wording, not mine). The hope is that swappers would be both GIVERS and GETTERS.

SwapMamas goes one step further, adding a social component. To quote from their website, "It's about getting to know other parents, making connections, and doing a little old school trading with friends." I'm not wild on this aspect of the site, to be honest. If I want friends, I'll log in to Facebook. I don't have time to build a social network on a site that is solely for swapping freebies.

I'll let you know if my gift card swap ever pans out. But, in the meantime, take a look at SwapMamas.com and see what you think!

Kashless.org

(Real-life Frugality has been overrun with real life lately. While I'm always busy, the past month or so has seemed particularly overwhelming. With things calming down a notch or two, I am once again making a committment to devote more time to this blog. Wish me luck!)

Recently, I've come across a number of websites for trading, bartering, and giving things away for free. I'll be profiling one such site today, with more to follow.

The first site I investigated is Kashless.org. You have to become a member (sign up with an email address and password) to view details on any of the items listed. Once you join, you find the Kashless list for your area, and start browsing. There's everything imaginable on here, from free fill dirt to baby clothes to car parts. Lots of the things that I've seen are listed as broken, or needing some sort of part. (One person listed a printer because it ran out of ink--OK, whatever!) But, if you are willing to search and really get into it, you can find the gems. Kashless also has a reward point system, where you earn points for doing things like posting items to be given away, inviting people to join Kashless, etc. You can then redeem these points for products and coupons. This is Kashless' incentive for extending the life of a product and eliminating waste.

I haven't actually listed anything, or found any thing I needed, but that's only because I haven't had the time. Give it a try, and let me know what you think!

Free Nonstick Bakeware

I just ordered a free silicone non-stick, non-burning mini muffin pan from EasyBakeware.com. Well, technically, not free. I did have to pay $7.95 shipping and handling for a product that would have originally been $19.95 before shipping. So, I guess it would be more accurate to say I got a mini muffin pan for less than half price. I've always wanted one, but never justified the expense before. It will be fun to try it out!

Free Cereal

Frugal reader Julie said that Kellogg's Raisin Bran Extra! has an on-box rebate to try it for FREE. She found it at her local Fred Meyer in Kirkland, but it could be at any store.

Julie said, "Well, it technically costs a stamp to mail in the rebate form. Okay, 44 cent cereal. It's a small box, but that still makes it really cheap!"

One of My Favorite HIFs!

I mentioned a while ago about a new website, Hey It's Free, for finding great freebies. Have to show you one that I got:


A TiVO cookie cutter! For us TiVO fans, this is awesome.

Suave.com free coupon on January 14

Head over to Suave.com on Wed., January 14 for a coupon good for a free bottle of Suave shampoo. I don't use Suave, myself, but my boys do, and it's great stuff.

Grocery Deal of the Week, November 24

I haven't even done my main grocery shopping for the week yet, but I know what my grocery deal is. You can't do better than free (well, at least I've never been able to find a way for the grocery store to pay me for an item). I don't normally buy Green Giant vegetables because they are too expensive, but I always cut their coupons in the event that they come on a good sale. Today was definitely that day. Albertson's had some varieties of their Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers on for a dollar per 12-oz bag. And, as luck would have it, I had seven (7!) $1.00 off coupons! WHOOOOO!

The cashier was skeptical that the computer would actually let me get them for free, but I told her it would be fine, and of course, the computer didn't even flinch once. I love it!