You know the old adage, "One man's trash is another man's treasure?" It's a phrase I've certainly used, but in recent days I've realized it's even more true than I thought. Last month I joined Freecycle as a way to offload some computer detritus I'd amassed over the years and didn't want to haul to my new home (where everything would sit buried in a bin somewhere, of course). If you don't know what it is, Freecycle's a simple email list attached to a locality, and on it folks offer up their unwanted items. Typically, the taker comes to the giver and picks up the offering, so it's even more convenient than Goodwill. Plus, it keeps perfectly good stuff out of landfills. As a relative newbie to the Freecycle world, I've been shocked and entertained at the items offered up and claimed, from racy comic books to knee-high socks (ok, that was me.) My dad, however, is a Freecycle veteran, and he's seen it all...

I have seen, for example, serviceable (if in need of some repair) sailboats with trailers offered on my local Freecycle board, while at the other end of the spectrum I have on more than one occasion seen single "cents-off" coupons on grocery items offered (and taken!). One would think that the cost of gas to drive over and pick it up would exceed the value of that coupon for $0.35 off on that jar of mayonnaise - even after doubling!

Mayonnaise coupons?! Boats?! What's your tallest Freecycle tale?

Tags: Freecycle