One of the hardest things about having a baby outside of the uncomfortable pregnancy and pushing a watermelon out a hole the size of…..well you know what I am getting at is the cost. Babies are expensive!! And I am just talking about the first year. Not the other 17, then college, then mooching off you for the rest of your life every chance they get. Or maybe that is just me.
How would you like to get some baby stuff for free? Freepeats is the brain child of Angie of Baby Cheapskate fame. If you aren’t already reading her blog, you should be. The diaper deals she compiles every week are a lifesaver if you have kids still running around in them. But now she has developed a kind of freecycle for moms. A place to get rid of your gently used maternity, baby and kids stuff and get some in return. You get stuff that still has a lot of life left in it and other people’s stuff gets kept out of the landfills. Even Al Gore is happy.
Freepeats has over 50 groups operating all over the country. Today, one happens to open in my neck of the woods. Just in time for me to score some things for baby number 3. And if you sign up for the Grand Rapids area Freepeats before May 15th you can join for free. Want to join somewhere else in the country? You just have to pay a one-time fee of $4.95 to use the site. Pretty good deal if you ask me. Even better deal, for the month of May if you post 2 items of baby clothing, toys or gear on their local “Offers” board, you will get a refund of their membership fee (there are a few minor restrictions to that offer. You can read the fine print here).
Wanna know if there is a Freepeats near you, check out the list of available cities here. If you don’t see your area represented, don’t despair. I have been waiting awhile for one to come my way too, but there are new Freepeats opening all the time. Have more questions, head over here to the FAQ section for answers. Then start listing the stuff you don’t need and see what you can get for your growing family.
For more great frugal tips, head over to Life as Mom.
Kristi_runwatch
says:
that’s a great idea! we are working on getting a clothing/ toy/ baby item swap up and running for our church, hopefully on a semi-annual basis. what a great opportunity for the church body to help provide for one another!
Kristi_runwatchs last blog post..With hope
[Reply]
May 1st, 2009 at 11:24 am
Andrea
says:
Great tips…I will go and check the sites out thanks!
[Reply]
May 1st, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Erin G
says:
I LOVE freepeats, and I love Angie’s blog too.
I got Nathan’s halloween costume there last year (giraffe), and then offered it up again to another family. When I brought it to them, they happened to have one that will fit him THIS year (skunk). So awesome to save money on something that only gets worn once!!
Erin Gs last blog post..It’s A…. (Drumroll Please)
[Reply]
May 1st, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Jen@BigBinder
says:
Good to know!!
Jen@BigBinders last blog post..Things I Love Thursday
[Reply]
May 1st, 2009 at 5:41 pm