How ‘buy nothing’ social media groups help off set code of living crisis - BBC News
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- Опубликовано: 8 фев 2022
- When Sevan Tavoukdjian moved into his own apartment in New York City last month and when he saw how much it would cost to furnish it, he was shocked at the prices being charged.
So, he scrapped plans to buy furniture and instead sent a message to his neighbourhood “Buy Nothing” Facebook group, where people offer unwanted items for free.
The average American family had to spend roughly $3,500 (£2,600) more last year than in 2020 but salaries have not kept up with the increases, pushing people to forego purchases, substitute cheaper alternatives, or - like Sevan - hunt for something free.
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This should be commonplace. Not only to save money but to save resources and to save the planet. It just makes complete sense. I live in a block of flats and people naturally put things at the bottom of the stairwell for other people to collect.
This is why we have garage sales and stuff like eBay. The best way to counteract corporate tyranny is to do business locally. It’s a nice statement, but don’t expect stuff like this to be commonplace.
@@jokerpilled2535 I give my stuff away free, so local people can benefit from free stuff
Capitalist with their pursuit of endless year after year profit wont allow it. They dont want "enough", they want "more"
They'll make up a health risk about secondhand furniture and books and ban regifting them or whatever in the next decade, just you wait.
Why are you going to Ireland? Just for a job or because you want to live there? I am thinking of going to Ireland too and so I am curious!
This prevents a great deal of waste and helps lower income families. Great idea, hope it keeps going and expands
At this point it's middle class families as well.
Lower income? Lol not only lower income.
You must not have grown up among the wealthy-many are extremely frugal
@Unknown Unknown ... Grammar Suggestion: this helps 'lower-income' families (not: this helps lower income families).
--> When I first read your comment, I initially thought you were suggesting this practices helps to lower income of these families. But when I continued reading, my mind corrected this.
When you add the dash between the words, "lower" then describes the income (it's an adjective). Without it, it's a verb. I realize many people don't know this, but in the spirit of offering something for free, well, here ya go! 😉
Americans buy more Stuff than ever, these days. Too Much! The unfortunate ones can benefit from these "gifts".
"One Man's Trash is another Man's Treasure!"
Sounds like craigslist free. I got my son's bunkbed, a large wooden desk, pottery, even free guppies for my son's fish tank. When we moved to France I posted all of our furniture, home decor, kitchenware, toys, all in excellent condition, all for free. This is simply what a community does.
Seriously. Have they never heard of craigslist free before? It's been around for many many years. I've furnished multiple apartments this way.
Wish it was that easy
The free stuff you can get is amazing. If you are willing to spend $10, its even crazier. I wonder what it would look like if there was a store like good will, but everything in the store was free. If I was rich enough to pay employees, I would do that just to see what happens.
Gumtree is Craigslist in UK, not freecycle.
@@KennTollens .. or even a store where, if you could afford it, you gave a donation if you 'bought' something, even if it was only 10 cents in exchange for a pen, for example.
My experience. I live in an appartment building in a town in the Netherlands. Here it's common to set old stuff on the ground floor before you move, so, others can take it. It's not only for poorer people. I work hard, earn enough and also save money, but last year I've taken an old microwave oven and a few plates from someone, who moved to another Dutch city. After two years I plan to go to Ireland 🇮🇪 to Dublin, so, I'll leave some stuff or furniture for others too
My favourite two chairs that I still use I found on street in front of my apartment in Amsterdam 23 years ago. :) They were as new. My first apartment there was almost completely furnished this way. And everybody is checking when there are things around garbage containers.
I love that about Netherlands, and a little code for electrical appliances: if the vire is cut, it doesn't work. :)
I leave my stuff in the same manner, always clean, and if it is smaller size, in a transparent bag.
When someone can use it, it is not a waste, and that makes separating with things easier.
I made a lovely bedroom desk from a small dining table top that was left in the same way outside my flat just last week.
Your comment's been reused a few times here, come see...
The problem is the gentrifiers come to our neighborhoods get the free stuff then resell it. this just leaves less for the ppl really in need. If he could get approved for an apt he has means he is just being frugal. there is a difference between needing and wanting a break in price. the only ppl that really win are the ultra rich that give things freely, those right below them that take the stuff and resell it , and the retail giants that sold the goods in the first place that made that keep profits growing! Those that have needed second hand shops and those that have had a slip in thier standing that need to sell things when they are need of funds are the real losers and no one is saying anything about it! VIRTUE SIGNALin' @ its finest. Notice the homes of the ppl that started these apts. My neighborhood of multimillion dollar historic homes in Brooklyn just left beautiful things out for us to pick up freely, now with advertising ppl come into our neighborhood and take from our system that allowed us to keep a varied socioeconomic population. Gentrification and this platforms/groups are just widening the gap of the haves and the have nots!
You sure you wanna come to Ireland
It’s getting so expensive
No house or apartment to rent
This is amazing and "buy nothing" is a really good option for money and the environment. Need to be careful though that we don't view this as a cutesy "aww" story and actually view it for what this is - a story about the horrific cost of living crisis and how much people are being forced to adjust to scrape by under the growing pressure on household wallets.
Buy nothing is a great movement, and I'd like to see it succeed for environmental reasons, don't get me wrong, but it's not necessarily a social safety net against poverty - it's very often a coping mechanism while IN poverty.
NEARLY ALL "feel good" stories of people doing wonderful things for others in the media - are actually horrific entitlements on the state of society.
AND the "Buy Nothing" is no exception 1) we should ALL be doing this anyway, its idiotic buying new stuff and throwing perfectly good stuff in landfill, I have been "buying nothing" for 5 years. 2) People are doing it our of desperation which is horrific 3) if it becomes the norm it will just allow wages to go even lower as a % of a house, subsidised by people living on second hand gifts.
Well in the past we would have bought things which last for our children.
But poorer people haven't been able to save for a while now.
Not to mention everyone wanting the newest everything............ I see people with no furniture but the newest iphone.
@@oskarwinters1873 I respect your comment. It's a valid point. These smartphones are terribly expensive. My perspective and experiences are, that iPhone may be that person's literal life line to literal survival resources in community and social out reach, employnent, crisis support and social connections that enable many a chance to survive. ❤
@@oskarwinters1873 As comforting and necessary furniture may be, they cant possibly connect the most vulnerable to support resources. That iPhone is a wonderful tool for those able to use properly. ❤
Right. Its not like this is new -- thrift stores, swap meets, and dumpster diving and craigslist have been around a long time. Its like saying "reusable straws save plastic waste amidst the global climate crisis"... A drop in the bucket. Don't get me wrong I love buy nothing and it is a huge positive, but it doesn't make a huge impact on my financial health...
In my local buy nothing group people also share perishable food items such as fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy before going on vacations or untouched leftovers from parties so that there is no food waste. We also ask for a cup or spoonfuls of recipe specific ingredients that you wouldn’t otherwise use regularly (this way you can try different cuisines without wasting food/money)
That's a good idea! We once bought cardamom for a recipe, which languished in the cupboard for years....
I woukd have given the rest away if there had been a way to do it.
@@gemmeldrakes2758 oh no I love cardamon icecream!
I had cardomom gelato on vacation a few years ago, and I still dream about it! 😍
Such a great idea, before covid I would give perishable food items to my children so not to be wasteful or use the main dishes that I could just pop into the freezer. Food wastage is huge and such a problem if it can be used by someone else someone I’m all for it.
@@CatMom5050 OMG it's so sad for the boy 😭 Thank you for your kindness for him. May I know what's his situation now? I'm lying in bed with my only son now. He's not even one year. It's so heartbreaking to read this story.
In the UK this happens fairly frequently.
However, be aware of bringing in infestations like clothes moths. If you have access to a freezer, bag second hand clothes separately and leave them in the freezer for 3 days.
Excellent point. Not to mention bed bugs or body lice or fleas.
@@michaelmullin3585 True. I was recently told that bed bugs were pretty rampant here in the states for some reason. And once they are in your home they are very difficult and expensive to get rid of. My cousin was once given a mattress set for her child. It came from another relative of hers so no gave a thought to anything, until her kids would get up with bites on them. It cost her a fortune, not to mention the disruption in the house and the bug bitten kiddos. It was extremely stressful for all of them. I totally agree, be very careful. As for bed bugs, they don't only infect "poor" people either. The pest control person I spoke to said they are even in the homes of the wealthy. I guess the takeaway is simply, always be cautious.
@@qqq1q1qqqqqqq Bed bugs are common in every country and especially hotels, bed bugs have nothing to do with being clean, so you’re right for pointing out that they can happen to anyone, especially if you have stayed in a hotel that isn’t very conscientious about keeping them out, you bring them home in your clothes.
@@qqq1q1qqqqqqq Wealthy people travel and pick up bedbugs as a result. You are right it is not a poor person problem and not due to lack of cleanliness either.
Definitely! If possible, quarantine any new items and apply pest treatments. Cockroaches, lice, bed bugs, termites, etc.
Glad to see it being used rather than in a landfill.
Corporations will find a way to ruin it though.
They want people buying their stuff.
They'll just turn up the planned obsolescence a notch on their new products.
Replace your couch within 5 years, or it will just fall apart.
@@Skoda130 exactly, or lower the quality even further 🤔
We’re seeing that now with electronics and home goods. Manufacturers are reducing the prices and quality of their goods so it breaks in a short period of time and it becomes more expensive (or impossible) to repair the existing item than to buy a new one.
Or people ruin it by getting stuff for free and selling it
@@user-on7zd8yi8g tell me. There are professionals that grab everything up immediately.
Fantastic, people helping people, about time ….
Can't believe it takes a recession for Americans to start conserving resources... Guess they thought they were infinite...? 🤦♂🤦♂🤷♂🤷♂
Yes, I was amazed how much stuff people in USA have. It is better to share than just to store it in your living space.
Yup, but when AOC try to get the government to the same. It's " Socialism"
You act like Americans weren't doing this before. As if this were a novelty. USA is the most charitable country in the world.
@@Jay-eb7ik where are the stats to prove/disprove please?
I moved out of student accommodation furnished into public housing were there wasn’t even curtains without any warning. My buy nothing group alone with my church helped me get all the basics. I am very thankful for everything, and it offers a place to grow community to feel that connection. To make friends with your neighbours.
That's a fantastic way to see it. Not just people helping people in a material way, but getting to know one another often leads to watching out for one another. It's like an unofficial neighborhood watch group. People pay closer attention because they know you and they care. I think it's fantastic!!
So happy your church and neighbors jumped in to help 💖
Nice 😀
Just imagine how much easier life would be if planned obsolescence wasn't a thing and a rational economy was a thing.
Ditto. It really pains to think how much better these things could be.
For real
Capitalism:"Good one!"
My friend has a 40 year old Bissell vacuum still works great.
Just imagine how old and stagnant the technology would be if we didn’t innovate new things
Im a minimalist by heart and i have allways lived like this. Ive saved sooo much and i feel overall secure just having a saving.
I've been buying almost everything I own second or third hand for over 40 years. All my friends have been amazed at the beautiful furniture in my apartments and clothes in my closet since I was in my twenties. I am sixty-plus now.
What's a "code of living" crisis? ffs don't you have editors there?
they also put a space between "off" "set" 😅
Being a Developed Economy means nothing anymore. I set a budget every month and I don’t step a toe out of line on it. And by the sounds of it, everyone else is in the same boat.
This type of giving and receiving is aligned with the matrix of the Native Americans. More of this please! I love being able to participate in groups like this.
@@theodorelaurence1790 Your reply reflects a lack of insight. Thankfully, there are books you can read to help that. 😉 👍 📚
@@theodorelaurence1790 Additionally, rape, murder and pillaging is more aligned with the Vikings who conquered Europe, then the Europeans who brought it to the America's under the guise of Manifest Destiny.
@@sierranyokka8435 More like what the indigenous people were doing all up and down north, central and South America before the europeans got there. The europeans would not have been able to succeed if the indigenous people didn't help them in an attempt to escape indigenous abuse.
@@theodorelaurence1790 Honestly, I'm not interested in your trolling.
@@theodorelaurence1790 It is mind blowing that there are people still making ignorant comments like yours 🙄
I discovered my neighborhood group in 2021 it's been such a help. I've finally furnished my apartment and I've given away things that just sat there instead 9f putting them in the trash. You find almost everything. I wish more people who are needy would use it. They'd save so much money
This is amazing! This is to be intelligent and responsible, and eco friendly 😊 I'll try to bring that to Brazil
Thank you for your emails , i read them all the time !😀
Sim!
This already exist in Brazil at least since 2014 (period when I was living there). In the northeast, it’s called “Bazar do desapego”.
As a social worker it makes a huge difference in a young adults life who has little family or little job options, hut are beautiful spirits to connect supportive people and/or to free items that someone else has duplicates of or no longer wants rather than hoarding to get milding as old society did to prove wasteful. Like Lionel Richie said on Wednesday, 'We are all family'.:) great segment
The code of living has been so hard for so many of us.
Personally I just play it by ear
Shocking to see typos in a BBC headline. Also I think they mean "off-set" or "offset". Maybe they left the work experience kid in charge.
So much stuff lying around still in good condition and perfect for a new owner, it would be a shame if these things would lay near the garbage bin. Life is expensive, don't be ashamed to take something for free, if it's not a waste it's right to take it to your place!
I've been doing this for years. It is hyper local so I never have to drive far to get anything and people pick up their gifts from me within a day. It feels great to be part of such a giving group!
My mother has been doing this for ages she has so far now donated a washing machine and fully functional kelvinator refrigerator, huge amounts of clothes, a dining table although that one was a little battered...this is extremely juxtaposed with my brother who just buys a lot of clothes and things regardless of having so many already.
that is nice, I wish more people would donate clothes including shoes
@@beaulieuonnp593 The food charity in my town is overwhelmed with clothes and shoes, and furniture, etc. The illegal aliens come in weekly and carry off barrels of the stuff and sell it at flea markets and on E-Bay.
I live in a apartment complex for older adults.
We have a "give away" room where residents can leave or grab items.
Anything from furniture to clothing to dishes and pots and pans.
I have lived in the complex for nine years and a big savings for me has been clothing.
I rarely buy any clothes since such wonderful new and used items are available for the taking!
It's wonderful, for the people who get to give good things they don't need, for the people who save money, its good for the environment. Win in all counts 🥰
The problem is “junkers” that take stuff for free and then turn around and sell them and make a profit and prevent those in real need from getting the items they need. It’s just rude.
That’s a part of any human endeavor; same happens with social security benefits. You have to tolerate it as a part of a working system, as long as it is a fringe occurrence.
The group I am in is only open to about 3 nearby suburbs. You can’t be a member of more than one buy nothing, sell nothing group, so that way it limits the number of people who will see your post. But yes, you are right. If the post is widely distributed then those people will turn up and take advantage. Our group is great for people who only want to borrow something for a short time then return it. ie someone asked for crutches for a broken ankle. We often see the same items being used for a short time and regifted through the same group. I am in South Australia. 😊🇦🇺
That's not completely true. Gifters can either do fastest pickup or do a lottery so it's fair for everyone. And it's hyperlocal. The town I'm in has 2 buy nothing groups (north and south) because the membership grew a lot and they kick you out if you're in both groups even if you're in the same town.
Oh my God! He's in NYC with an apartment that big and he can't afford furniture!. Do you have any idea how expensive rent is in NYC? This guy is rich!
Could be a rent controlled property or he’s way out.
@@chicnoir29 Ya sure. :)
He might be a landlord
@@Atexequipment Even worse. ;)
I love my buy nothing group. It’s a great way to declutter and help others. It’s really great!
It’s called recycling. I’m shocked this is made out to be a new thing when we have been doing this amongst friends and family for years.
And now with all platforms that allow people to give food away etc makes it even easier.
People have been mass consuming and throwing things out instead of maintaining them and caring as if they can’t afford another one or even try to bother fixing it.
I can go on and on.
Instead of being happy that a good thing is beginning to happen en masse, you’re “shocked”?
@@TheSouthIsHot shocked that it’s being treated as something NEW. People have been doing this for years and years in their community before social media ever existed. And yes it was happening en masse, you just didn’t know about it if you weren’t in that local community. Apps just make it easier so there’s a wider reach but giving away your stuff isn’t new.
The Demoncrats want to feel like they came up with something that was already in place. Ridiculous.
It isn't recycling, whilst I know what you mean, recycling has become the catchall word for the antithesis of consumerism, these Freecycle/buynothing groups are actually higher value than recycling, that is kinda the point.
The pyramid is reduce, reuse, recycle. First reduce production/waste (like eliminating excess packaging or removing obsolescence, then reuse items over and over so they don't end up becoming waste and finally, recycle items as part of the waste cycle back into their composite parts to turn them into something else.
Reducing waste and Reusing items takes far less global resources/energy than recycling.
Whilst I agree with your point that historically items were passed between family and friends and neighbours, not everyone has those anymore.
@@felicitygee381 Very informative. Thank you for sharing. 😊
I started living a version of this awhile ago. If anyone I know is getting rid of something, they tell me first, because I prefer getting my stuff that way. Most of my drinking glasses are mason jars and I keep the lids to double as food containers, same with takeout containers, I don't really have any Tupperware but for ones I got from other people. Plates, mugs, bowls, all stuff people didn't want.
My kitchen table, couches, TV stand, coffee table, all from other people. I buy personal items and stuff that has to fit me right, like undergarments, shoes, cosmetics, etc. I still have clothing I bought ten years ago or longer and I'll give stuff to other people. If I can't justify it, I don't want it, and I don't "shop for fun".
My friend's daughter and her friend are around 19 and they were thrilled, her friend and I were talking and she turned to my friend's daughter and said, "She's like us!" and it made me more hopeful for the future because I know no one my age who does these things. If younger kids think it's cool we might actually get somewhere with this.
I love this , l have worked cleaning most of my life and have seen my wealthy clients throw away in the garbage soooooo many perfectly good items, some with price tags still on. I started to offer to take thing to the thrift store to because it make me very upset to see it going to the dump. The good side of this is l was able to give a single dad with a disability two bikes for his kids and some new or like new also, he cried with gratitude it was so heartwarming. I think l am the lucky one to have that experience, what a gift.💝
In my Buy Nothing FB Group, we found out a family was new to town in December & they had no winter clothes. We immediately gathered clothing, jackets, blankets, hats, gift cards for this family who was at need. Took only 3 days.
This is a key indicator of our society's future coming up fast! Along with bartering, co-housing, food co-ops, etc. A MUCH easier and happier future for all.🌻🙂
Lived in an apartment for 6 months, furnished with buy nothing and then put all back on buy nothing
This has been so incredibly helpful during Covid and the struggles of the past few years! This week, some local moms gifted me over $100 worth of nursing and pumping supplies.
We have them in the UK too, we have a local reuse & recycle page on Facebook, only problem over here is there are also a lot of time wasters who say want it but never turn up or reply again which can mean it's hard to get it to the right people sometimes
This needs to be more common. Leaving stuff outside can ruin the stuff.
But having one huge platform to give and find stuff would be incredible. Instead of wasting space and money with things like goodwill. Let's stop giving stuff away for people to have to go and buy. Instead of get something for free and simply need to go and pickup.
I do this, I don't want to give people a profit, I want to share my stuff free I use Freegle and Olio and get loads of free food each week and it saves it all going to the dump
You never heard of Freecycle website?
The problem is getting the whiners to come and GET the free stuff!
@@michaelmullin3585 If they want it, they'll pick it up. I think I've only had one no show. He likely wasn't serious, anyway. Next person got it.
This actually seems like a great idea. Especially when one is older, and is trying to downsize, or life changes happen, may as well give items away, trade or barter when able. We can be good neighbors when someone has home needs, even miles apart. The bonus, too, is less in our landfills.
I support Olio in the uk.I've requested nothing for myself at the moment, but I've given many of my clothes that no longer fit , shoes ,pictures mirrors , jewellery , crafts, and so much food which otherwise would be wasted ..
The people we meet are so lovely and appreciative it melts my heart to Just want to do more !
Only I don't have much more to give in the way of items, but I'll continue to give food all the while it is viable to do so , as one day the tables could be turned and it'll be myself needing that extra help! X ❤️💐
@@carriebarker6395 that's really good!
It's funny that you say the food comes from Tesco's ..every little thing DOES help! 😂😘😘😘
Yes though you're right ... Im enjoying the app immensely! X
I love my local Buy Nothing group. There are always people who ask for ludicrous things, but there are also people giving away amazing items just because they no longer need them. My local group is big enough to have a good mix of participants, but not so big that people get lost in the shuffle. When people move out of the area, they post to thank everyone for the help and to express regret that they have to leave the community. It's well worth starting a local group if you don't have one already.
I have lived this way most of my life. First, because I from a German family who embraced this attitude. Then, a home invasion took my entire home, and I furnished my house this way. Not the same as my beloved items that meant something, but I found beautiful things. Most things I find for free, but also shop at reuse stores.
When you consider how Goodwill Industries is a For Profit empire built on DONATIONS from the public, Buy-Nothing is a great idea.
How many of you thought Goodwill was giving the stuff they got away to the needy? And if not that, then how many of you thought it was at least available ''free'' to those in need?
I mean they do pay their workers. I know two people who worked there. Minimum wage but a paycheck is a paycheck
@@nokateno Less than 1/8 of the profits go to charity. Goodwill industries still fights against a minimum wage raise, in some places paying workers (overseas) .22 cents an hour. I could go on, in short they abuse their non-profit status to abuse workers.
I didn't know till I looked into it either.
I furnished my whole home free. Through handouts and free posts. Finished items myself. Turned out very nice. You would be amazed at what you can get free or free with a little work.
I've used the buy nothing group in my town a couple of times when I couldn't afford to buy cat food. It helped when I needed it. I think that something like this is a great idea and I thank the people who found these groups.
It's a great thing but here in the uk we have these groups but unfortunately alot of people try and sell the free goods that they got for free just the way it rolls a guess
You would know.
Definitely, my sister was desperate for a kitchen table, in any condition and table after table came up on freecycle, but she would keep missing out, in desperation see was also looking in the small ads and on eBay and some people even used the same pictures on selling sites, where the tables, given for free, were ending up. When she contacted these people saying she saw that they got it for free so could she get it for a nominal price, they replied no because they were desperate to save up the money for a house deposit and they were using “every means possible” to earn enough money, and they said how did they know, that she wasn’t going to do the same.
Thank you for your emails , i read them all the time !😀
@@billiebluesheepie2907 Try Freegle and Olio
I love these groups I furnished my fist flat using one of these groups and when I could afford to buy new furniture I posted most of the items back in the group. Also I’m pregnant now and have managed to get loads of baby items from those groups that have been really helpful at keeping my costs down
Having kids means that your bills will go up, petrol, outings, more food, uniforms, perhaps an extra car, deposit for house, uni fees, hobby groups, expensive presents...many parents are in debt and relaying on credit cards.
@@walkingonsunshine8574 haha good point.
This is the best! You will find that many moms will be more than glad to give away their used clothes, toys, furniture, etc. It's saved me a ton. I also shop thrift stores and kids' consignment stores. My kids tend to tear holes in their jeans for school very frequently, so I pretty much only buy them used clothes with the occasional new items as needed. Fancy $25 per garments are not needed.
Things go crazy fast in the buy nothing group I’m in, literally within a few minutes of someone posting something the item is gone already, I posted something for free once and a guy messaged me right away and was at my house within 20 minutes to pick it up, honestly a lot of people on there resell the items they get from there I know this for a fact.
You can offer a lottery for item instead of fastest pickup if you want it to be fair. It's interesting because most of the people in my group pick them up to give to the homeless.
Charity's Good deed and affects some lives who in need
Thank you for your emails , i read them all the time !😀
Freecycle quite litteray got me off the ground, when I moved into an unfurnished apartment in Dublin 4 years ago 😍
Yes I love that site too.
I have been able to get a table for my place, get leftover wood to bulid planters, gift art supplies to local teachers, get rid of cute random things that don't work in my apartment, regift unwanted presents to people who treasure them, exchange bike parts with neighbors, and more. People can make requests. We have been able to do food and medicine support. It saves us from buying a new thing when a gently used one will suffice and keeps us all from holding onto things that are not of use to us.
"Free stores" were started in the 1960s in the USA and are pretty common here.
In Germany, it has been quite common to give away furniture for decades. We do this via another app, which is actually intended for resale. But because people often move in Germany due to the very expensive housing market, the platform is often used to get rid of unloved pieces of furniture for free. In addition, pieces of furniture in Germany often cost a lot, but are very unsturdy and will probably not survive many moves, especially if they are not made of solid wood, but of pressboard, like it is the case with the expensive Ikea furniture,
We have a lot of donated furniture in our flat and will give a lot of it away when we move out.
Environmentally friendly and a community spirit building initiative ❤️
There's too much advertising in US media culture. This movement on social media parallels the normal secondhand channels, that exist in other cultures. In the UK we have had secondhand shops and markets for centuries. Our other secondhand selling platform has also moved from magazines and newspapers to the internet in recent years. Mass and excessive consumerism is a serious threat to our planet, so it's very good to see this happened in the US. ❤️
qQQ
Lol, we have second hand shops in the US, this isn't foreign to us. Goodwill, consignment shops, the Habitat for Humanity Restore, etc.
@@EnkiduShamesh Yes, the "normal secondhand channels" have existed in the US for generations. Buy Nothing and Freecycle (and Craigslist Free Stuff) are adjuncts to those older methods: ways for neighbors to interact and gift things directly, who might live a few miles away instead of next door.
@@EnkiduShamesh yes. Most of the things I have are hand me downs. Couch, microwave, table, etc.
Freecycle.
I went from being homeless to finally having a place to live and I still can't afford to furnish my place. Here in Boston Ma you have to rent a U-Haul to pick up furniture that has been donated to places that help people through government programs but they haven't been able to help anymore.
Not a new concept at all, but I’m glad to see it’s getting more popular. I furnished an apartment after a divorce by dumpster diving and picking things up that were set out for garbage in front of the house. And then later, craigslist came along and I picked up many free items off of craigslist and I’ve given some away.
For a year and three on the when I got laid off, I bought nothing but food and necessities like medicine, with the exception of once a month my friend and I would go thrift shopping with $20 and split a fast food chicken dinner that cost 4.99. Around me houses were in foreclosure front back both sides. I had one income and kept my house. People in the US are so spoiled.
Great!
Help out other people and those in need, as well as good for the environment because things are being re-used and re-cycled.
I think it's great. It's obscene how much perfectly usable stuff has ended up being thrown away needlessly,causing waste and environmental damage.
This is a great way to combat waste. When I moved, I posted items that I couldn't take with me. Kitchen table and chairs, a love seat, etc. I would have donated these items but couldn't easily do so due to the pandemic. It prevents things from entering the landfill that could be of use to others. This concept was popular way before covid.
It is wonderful that people are willing to donate things, for free. It means that people, as a society, care for each other.
Wish the economic crisis would bring people together, instead of setting them apart to alienation. Poverty alienation can yield crime/civil turmoil.
Poor people can become dangerous people, if alienation sets in.
In America we call this "goodwil" store chain that's been around before the internet
Goodwill doesn't give anything away for free.
@@kkpenney444 um that is 100% not true..
@@kkpenney444 also this service isn't free if it requires internet..
@@omnigeddon Ok then, go on and walk into a Goodwill store and walk out with anything you like. What, you can't?
@@omnigeddon Oh, ffs. Get a life.
In central London, if you leave decent furniture out on the road, it seems to miraculously disappear by the end of the day. Presumably people take them to resell or to use. Free removal service :b
(and no, it's not the council. I've paid the council to take stuff away before and they take weeks...)
The problem with that, is that people take advantage of this to make money off of free things.
I say this because there's a neighborhood group I'm in that started doing something like this. There's literally people that are on that site 24/7 trying to find as many things as possible and then they go and sell them on Craigslist or on Facebook Marketplace. While the ones of us that really do need the items don't have a chance
I didn’t even see your comment until now, but we basically posted the same thing! It’s very true. Not trying to be a pessimist, but it’s kinda true. It’s one thing to go to a goodwill and search for things and actually pay for them. But now people are just sitting at home doing the same things and basically have their car always running to be the first to go pick something up. I think it’s becoming addictive for many people.
Code of living
Right. Cost, maybe?
I remember back during the first year of the pandemic, in my country, bartering Facebook groups were so popular because almost everyone is not earning anything. But then, the government stopped them.
Which country
Use Twitter or WhatsApp
Why did the government stop the bartering groups?
@@chicnoir29 I’m curious about that too! 🤔
@@chicnoir29 to avoid spreading the Crrnnaa vuris.
Move to Ireland, £175,000 for a 7 bedroom detached house
Which town?
What’s the unemployment rate ?
@@MatthewChapmanYT and how far from an international airport?
Our family had yard sales every year. Carting what didn't sell back in to store was such a pain in the rear. One year.....I decided I wasn't going to store it anymore. Once the yard sale ended I posted to all local social media that unsold items would be left curbside & for those in need to come pick up whatever they needed/wanted. All I asked is that they not make a mess. Several families with very young children showed up. They were so grateful that I've not carted back inside leftover yard sale items ever again. They're always posted for free at the end of the weekend. The idea also caught on within the community. Now most people do it too. It's silly to waste perfectly good items when there are people who can use them or need them.
I refuse to spent $25 bucks on a kid's t shirt. Buy nothings has helped me out so many times. When my kids grew out their toys and clothes I passed it on. The toys helped out a few caregivers who provided child care in their homes.
I got to know my neighbour's quickly. We also met up at the park or library. Had walking groups and such.
Inflation aside. This is a good idea to just help get the maximum use out of everything, rather than chuck it into a landfill.
I’ve been giving away things for years, and some of it is really nice.
I feel that there is nothing about this that is negative. You have something that you no longer need or want and you give it to someone in need. Having worked at an outreach program there are always people in need. For most of these programs household items are not available. I think this is great!
One negative is the potential for infestations (think bedbugs or fleas in furniture). I'm always super cautious about getting anything "soft" at a discount, even more so when it's free.
@@DevilTrojanChic You are absolutely right, that’s why we never would accept any of those items.
Thank god for all these ppl.....god bless them....if we all stick together maybe we can get thru this crisis
Here in my small town in NZ we have a group called FreeEconomy. Our dump will take goods, and a recycling shop does well selling at small prices to pass on the funds to the community. But even better is our local council who collect and pass on items for free.
Hold on? Is it seriously a new thing in the US? We’ve been doing this for ages in the UK. I’m flabbergasted!
Its not new here, the app is newer.
No it is not. That has been done here for decades now.
I have always donated unwanted items to charity shops. We also just put items at the edge of our front yard, near the sidewalk. I asked someone (she is often giving me her stuff) why she doesn't just give stuff to charity shops, and she said she doesn't like that they "make money" from selling her stuff and that a "stranger" gets her stuff (someone she doesn't know). I guess this way, you see the person who gets your stuff, no $ is exchanged, and you get free stuff too.
I love this! I'd love to give stuff away, knowing it would come to good use.
I've belong to freecycle for about 6 years or so & it is pretty awesome. I joined to collect crafting supplies but I've been pretty amazed at the items offered
"code of living" A small spelling error there. ;-)
I love this trend. But I find it unfair that people say people should do this normally, but then we are complained about when we are not buying anything and destroying the economy or certain industries.....
Constant buying is not sustainable for much longer. That is the flaw of the system!
Let them complain. That's industry trying to shame people into consuming more.
I always do this! When you give, you always get it back! Sometimes I can't understand how people overprice used items..its really disheartening
I love this gifting and receiving thing in communities. I live in a country where a huge number of expats constantly come and go. We regularly leave behind all sorts of things from furniture to pot plants when we relocate. Excess food also gets shared on circle economy platforms. It's lovely to be able to give things to those who can make use of them.
The code of living huh 🐱
Having given loads of things away for free would love to see more doing the same...it stops items going to landfill...helps those in need
I was at the tip (municipal landfill collection) during the pandemic, when they had stopped all the recycling efforts due to "contamination" and it was heartbreaking. The things people were throwing away that were brand new and still useable because the tip wouldn't take them to sell or dontate onwards anymore. They purposefully broke the items up to fit into the skips. It all went to landfill and most of it didn't need to.
@@felicitygee381 That's awful.
Buy Nothing Project sounds amazing. The news reporting was so focused on saving money and inflation that the real gems where missed. Decreasing landfills, saving resources, creating community interactions, helps climate change. This should not be viewed as for lower income only. This is an opportunity for a cultural shift . Sharing with our community members as opposed to a transactional and disposable mindset.
I agree. She mentioned inflation so many times. This sharing is happening in so neighborhoods where the focus is on the environment. They have the means to buy new but choose not to when a secondhand option is available.
I would only get stuff I could wash. I’ve had bed bugs in my apartment from neighbors too many times to take that risk. It’s an absolute nightmare
Yeah... I never take anything "soft" that can't be washed. You never know what condition it came from (infestations, smoking, mold, etc...). Most people I know who feel this way have had an issue (my mom had a bad flea infestation from a relative that used to bring her untreated dog over). Those who haven't have no clue the risk they take. Eww 🤮
This scheme also exists in Germany and it is one of the many reasons why I love this country.
Come on BBC
The BBC CANNOT have spelling errors in titles. Seriously the world is fucked up enough.
“Code” of living
We have something similar in our apartment building. I got two beautiful pillows (that I dry cleaned first, of course) from my neighbors who left them in our lobby area with a “for free” sticky note. In return, I gave away a perfectly new garbage can I’d bought but decided didn’t fit well in my kitchen.
I love anything like this . Used to live near a "free box " and also loved to trade unneeded items on craigslist and also give/take stuff for free on craigslist a long time ago .
Love it! And I find it curious that in less developed countries (like mine) these things are rarer, even though they'd be so much more benefitial. Or perhaps I'm just having a "grass is greener on the other side" moment. But anyway, I hope that initiave catches worldwide.
True...I tried to see if their was any buy nothing groups in my locality an year ago. There are only three or four in some of the biggest cities in my country. It's still a very metropolitan thing here
I grew up in a *very under developed country. The reason this doesnt happen as often in our countries is simple, we dont throw out items as often. We fix it, repair it and make it work for decades. A part of why the West and more developed countries have been a major contributor to climate change is because they have disposable income to spend on many gadgets and furniture that they later throw out. Us not having that luxury has made us more concious consumers who dont negatively effect our enviroment. I use a hair dryer that my parents bought in the 80s before I was born and a kettle they bought in the 1990s.
I had noticed two things that might give you a perspective: many don't have much to part with anyway and others just want new because used has a social stigma.
As new immigrant in Canada, I furnished my apartment with free stuff.
Green with envy u r an immigrant in Canada, good for you and all the best🤞🏻✌
Live the Kerala.
Good for the planet and people who cannot afford to buy necessities. Good job!
I want to be a member.🙏
Thats a wonderful idea instead of throwing things away
I've tried freecycle a few times in London. It's absolutely terrible.
I can't ever find anything on there that isn't either from IKEA or just junk not to mention that there's a tiny selection. Probably because there are so many people struggling that anything half decent gets taken immediately.
Also, each area has a group that you have to purposefully join. The issue is that the groups are created and defined by users. So there are groups for each council, groups for a mixture of areas and groups for single areas. This means that everybody is split between these groups.
Try Gumtree 'free' section - house renovators normally post there
@@anonuk352 thank you. Will check it out.
Check out trash nothing .
@@Sherirose1 thanks. I'll have a look.
Great story, one small inaccuracy. Check your title for the video. It’s cost not code. Spellcheck bad, grammar 👍
This kind of thing should be very common.
My son is working and studying in Germany and has been able to furnish his flat with perfectly good second-hand furniture.
>guy is living single in an apartment that looks like it costs $6000 a month
>complains that he can't afford to furnish it
>he likely earns $216,000 a year yet is on facebook asking for free stuff
I actually don't care, if he's living thoughtfully, frugally and with minimal environmental impact. He saved a bunch of stuff from going to landfill, and likely will not send it to landfill himself later.
If he does have a good income, this will help boost his savings for a deposit and home purchase one day.
This is a great project. Save the planet. We don’t need to use energy to make more of what we already have. ❤️
Yes and we cut out the need for the junk supply from China.
I love giving new life to old and unwanted things. Since moving into my new house, (after 30 years in a 1955 fixer-upper that never got fixed up,) I've been sifting through second hand stores to decorate it. I've saved so much money! I haven't looked into the Buy Nothing sites, but it sounds like a great idea. I hope they insure people aren't just scooping up the free stuff, to resell it online--as happens too often in thrift stores. I donate anything I don't need--if there's still life left in it.
One thing I wish we'd all get, is that we need to be happy with what we have. Too many feel driven to have a certain look, and they get rid of appliances that don't match, and furniture that's outdated.
What is the code of living, like some new dystopian reality?