Experiment: Can I furnish my home for free?

Badger_Lady

Actually, it probably is about time for an update:

- [strike]Washing machine[/strike] (left behind)
- [strike]Cooker[/strike] (neighbour)
- [strike]Fridge / freezer[/strike] (neighbour)
- [strike]Microwave[/strike] (Freecycle)
- [strike]Double bed with mattress[/strike] (Freecycle),
- [strike]King-size bed[/strike], [strike]King-size mattress[/strike] (Freecycle)
- Curtains
- [strike]Lampshades[/strike] (Friend)
- [strike]Sofa[/strike] (Relative)
- [strike]TV[/strike] (Freecycle)
- [strike]Exercise Bike[/strike] (Freecycle)
- [strike]Rowing machine[/strike] (Freecycle)
- [strike]Mirrors[/strike] (Freecycle)

... Total items given away:

- BT cordless digital phone
- ReadyBed (inflatable camping bed)
- Ikea double wooden futon with mattress
- Ironing Board and iron
- Books
- Curtains
- Wallpaper
- Radiator
- VirginMedia cable TV box
- 2 binbags full of clothes

I did have to replace my fridge-freezer in the end (it worked, but was using a LOT more energy than it should and was too dangerous), so although it's on my freebie list I did end up buying a new one (£120 from Currys).

I've also been using FreeCycle to help with my local charity - Hospital Radio (I volunteer for them twice a week). I've been posting "WANTED" ads explaining what the charity is about and offering to collect any old and unwanted music (tapes, CDs and Vinyl).

It's a great way to use the site - I ALWAYS turn up on time to collect the goods (providing a service to the offerers who can clear out their cupboards with ease), and I pass everything straight on to the hospital radio library. If any duplicates come up, I repost them on Freecycle - if there are no takers, they go to local charity shops.

I have volunteered for Martin's "It Pays to Watch" on Channel 5, so you might get to have a closer look at my successes! Watch this space

toffeegirl

When I moved into my first house I bought an inexpensive picnic table for use as a dining table and chairs. When I bought a proper set (second hand - still have them 10 years later!) I moved the picnic table outside.....

As for curtains, don't forget charity shops and packets of dye......

Badger_Lady

Thanks! I think I'm going to have to make/adapt some curtains anyway - the problem (oh, what a whinger I am!) is that the windows are too big!

I dug out my lovely old curtains, which were shop-bought, and were floor-length in my old cottage. Here, they float about 3 inches above the window sill... My ceilings are just short of 3 metres high, and I haven't found any standard shop curtains that'll do the job... but a couple of pairs from the charity shop stitched together should do it!

toffeegirl

If you just need a bit for the bottom, check out the remnants section for a contrasting / complementary colour and make it look like a border....

Pennylane

I reckon you could ... just about! I know someone who walked out on her husband & took the kids and all their clothes and toys. She also took a few personal items and that was it.

She moved into a rented house with carpets and curtains. Every single thing in her house she got for free. She looked in FreeAds for things being given away. Friends gave her bits & pieces and the only things she had to pay for were having the cooked (given) wired in and washing machine plumbed in. If she saw something standing outside a house she used to knock & ask if she could have it. I think she had the bulk of what she needed within a week.

She was not a battered wife by the way!

morg_monster

hey i followed the link to this page from another thread... hows it going badgerlady?
one thought I had - now you have an exercise bike and rowing machine, does that mean you need those smaller clothes back!!!

We're planning to move in the summer, fingers crossed, from a furnished rental so we have almost nothing of our own, and I'm hoping to get as much for as little as possible, from family, friends and freecycle. its nice to be inspired, well done!

Badger_Lady

morg_monster wrote: »

now you have an exercise bike and rowing machine, does that mean you need those smaller clothes back!!!

Tee-hee! Actually, I have lost about 6lbs in the last 3 weeks, and I've firmed up, but I ain't got any smaller... I seem to be all muscle and now flab instead! Any tips on how to lose muscle would be greatly appreciated...

It's going really well, thanks - I'm now at the stage where I can slowly upgrade / replace some of my items and put the originals back on Freecycle to find new owners. I upgraded my exercise bike a fortnight ago and met a lovely lady who was delighted to take the old one away

For those who don't already know, I've been selected as the "Freecycle Expert" for Martin Lewis's It Pays To Watch on channel 5 - it will either be on next Wednesday (the 20-something-th) or the week after, so you can have a proper nose around! Sadly, they were only interested in the Freecycle items though, so you won't get to see any of the stuff I've got from other sources...

Badger_Lady

I'VE JUST GOT A FREE KITCHEN! :ROTFL:

So pleased with myself

It all started with the cooker and fridge-freezer from my first post. Then, 3 weeks ago, a neighbour came knocking and offered me all her kitchen cupboard doors, which are lovely traditional solid wood painted cream

Now someone has just come onto Freecycle and offered me a full set of carcasses to go with it all. Woo-hoo! I'm going to fit it all together, reusing the existing stainless steel sink, and it's going to look beautiful... I may even splash out for an off-cut of work surface :rotfl:.

katiesmummy

well done! i remember seeing you on the prog- you are the person to blame for getting me addicted to freecycle lol.

so far from freecycle i have had:

a dyson
a tumble dryer
a leather 3 piece suite
a toddler bed for ds
a load of tupperware boxes for portion freezing
a bumbo

i have given away:
a dining table and 4 chairs
loads of baby clothes
vibrating chair
books
travel system
vcr

i currently have a load of stuff waiting for collectors but had 3 no-shows last night- grrr

well done again- from what i remember your house was lovely!

blushingbride_3

I love freecycle!:)
I furnished most of my house on this when i first moved in and then slowly replaced and refreecycled!:)
Its a gem when u need stuff shifted quickly and its supprising the stuff people go for!:)