Most everyone knows about the “free” category at Craigslist, and savvy Chicagoans know a thing or two about trash days in their neighborhoods (including how to ‘troll the alleys the last weekend of every month, right when leases end and people tend to throw out things that won’t fit in the new place). But the best way to find — and ask for — what you need is still a Yahoo! group called Freecycle, the Chicago iteration of which boasts almost 19,000 active members, all of whom have stuff — lots of stuff — for you just for the asking.

The concept? List members post (“offer”) things they are giving away — “freecycling” — and arrange with responders for pick-up at an arranged date, time, and place. Members can also ask for things they want (“wanted”) but are only allowed to do so after they have “offered” at least one item.

Several choice items in my apartment were procured through Freecycle: my favorite beaded curtain; a wooden headboard/footboard; my microwave & toaster ovens; a full set of china; an antique sewing machine with cabinet; and my desk (where I write the content for this website). I’ve seen mint complete art deco bedroom sets offered, as well as exercise equipment, used vehicles, video game systems, bicycles, and thousands of other things… all for free.

A word of caution: this Yahoo! group isn’t for sissies or those who rarely check their email; you’ve got to be on the ball to catch the best items on Freecycle. But for those who don’t mind more than 100 emails a day and who keep on their email in boxes like white on rice? Well, those folks will be very happy.

Visit the Chicago Freecycle network at www.freecycle.org for information about joining the Yahoo! group email list.

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