Do you want me to sing the Who are the People in Your Neighborhood song from Sesame Street? No? Are you sure, cuz I totally can. No? Okay. Just let me know if you change your mind…

 

K, so everyone loves FREE right? Pretty much. And, if your lazy like me, you kinda like to get free things AND not have to go far for it. (Wow, I’m really lazy then!) Well, you’re in luck. Here are 10 FREE things you can find in your neighborhood. (Well, at least in mine. And if you don’t have ANY of these things, you can move to my street. There are two houses for sale.)

 

10 Free Things In Your Neighborhood

 

 

 

1. Sonic Drinks

Have you ever checked the bottom of your Sonic receipt? Many times there is a survey asking you to tell Sonic about your experience. It takes about all of 1 1/2 minutes to complete, and when you’re through, they give you a code for a FREE Route 44 drink. Here’s the extra cool part, though. SOMETIMES, when you get your free soda, they give you another receipt with another survey. That’s free drinks in a revolving door, people. My record for the revolving drink is three times in a row. It’s definitely a game I like to play, and a record I am trying to beat.

 

2. Chick-fil-A

Just like the Sonic survey, Chick-fil-A offers a survey at the end of some receipts for a FREE original sandwich. Their survey is just a bit tricky, though: You must complete it in two days or it’s void. I often forget and miss the two day window, so I started taking the survey on my phone right there in CFA while the kids are in the playscape. Then I have 30 days to redeem it. Yum!

 

3. The Library

Holy cow, if you aren’t utilizing your local library, then you are wasting serious cash. You can rent DVDs, borrow the newest books, and listen to your favorite CDs without getting sick of them. And without spending any money. If there is a book I’ve been wanting to buy, I check it out at the library first. This has saved me $$ because about 9 times out of 10 I didn’t end up buying the book after I read it. I know I really want a book, movie, or CD if I’ve checked it out from the library and still want to purchase my own copy. Careful with the library, though. Late fees can add up quick, so be sure to turn things in on time.

 

4.  Redbox

Speaking of borrowing movies, we love our local Redbox. (Blockbuster has their own version, too, but I don’t like it as much.) You can rent a movie or game through them for as little as $1, but did you know you could get them for free, too? Every month they send out a code through text message or to your e-mail address for one FREE movie. The Hubs gets a code sent to him, too, so that’s TWO free movies a month. Go to their website HERE to sign-up.

 

Source

5. Rosemary

Yeah, I know…this is kind of random. But there is rosemary seriously growing everywhere near my house. In the neighborhood. By the school. In the Target parking lot. All public places. So get your scissors out, grab a baggie, and snip a little for your home. Use it in recipes, for home fragrance, etc. Now don’t go pulling out the whole bush or cutting too much. Just snip a little…the same amount the landscaper would be taking off in a few days anyway. Also, did you know you can freeze rosemary? Yep, put it in the freezer if you have too much and don’t want it to go to waste. Then pull it out and use it as needed.

 

6. Curb alert!

There is nothing better than finding something awesome on the side of the road….for FREE…cuz someone else just doesn’t want it. I have found plenty of gently used items that have a lot of life left in them waiting to be picked up by a dumpster diver like me. I’ve gotten paint, furniture, accessories, and more by just driving by and having the guts to get out of my car for a closer look. If you are nervous to take something, then don’t be afraid to go up to the door and ask the homeowner if you can take the item. I’ve done that plenty of times (in the daylight only friends!!) and the homeowners are generally kind and grateful you’re hauling off their unwanted item. Some even offer to help put it in your car. Keep your eyes peeled…it’s amazing what some people throw out.

 

7. Craigslist

If you don’t already know, Craigslist has a whole FREE section in their FOR SALE area. It takes some combing through…for days…but there are things to find. If you have the internet on your phone, try glancing through the free section when you have a free minute or two throughout the day. It takes some diligence and patience, but your work will pay off. My friend found these folding chairs for free on Craigslist before she passed them on to me.

 

Which brings me to another point…the power in numbers. If you live in one city, and you have a friend or relative who lives in another close by, tell each other what you are looking for. Keep an eye out for each other. Your item may be in their town, or vice versa. If you see each other often, you can swap your finds.

 

 

8. Freecycle

Freecycle.org is recycling community, through the internet, where people can give away the things they no longer need. Joining your local group is free, posting is free, receiving is free. Again, you have to be diligent and patient, combing through mostly items you don’t need in order to find the one you do. Donating gently used items you don’t want anymore is FREEING, too. It’s nice to receive something you’ve needed for free, but it also feels great to be a blessing to someone else, as well.

 

 

9. Kids Eat Free

I sure love Kids Eat Free night at our favorite restaurants. It’s nice to give your wallet a break while still enjoying a night out with the fam. No cooking, no dishes. If you’d like a list of the places that have Kids Eat Free nights in your area, Google Kids Eat Free {your city}. All kinds of websites will pop up letting you know the names of restaurants and days that your family can dine for less.

 

10. Shop Your House

Now this may not be so much fun to hear, but believe me…it’s FREE. You probably already have what you want in your own home. You may have to dig for it in the back of the closet. It may need to be painted a different color or cut up and sewn another direction. But you do. You already have it.  Using creativity, shopping your own house can be fun and fulfilling. Case in point: I found beautiful pillow cases in a store that I thought I needed at a price I couldn’t afford. Turns out I already had all the supplies to make my own at home. Check out the whole story HERE. Making a small change with a big impact in my boys’ room was FREE…using items I already had at home. I needed “artwork” in our family room without spending a penny. Check out what I used HERE, and the FREE way I hung the “art,” HERE.

 

If you have a hard time envisioning what you need from what you already have, one suggestion is starting a Pinterest board to keep any ideas you see all in one spot. I have a board called Using Items I Already Have. Whenever I see a great idea that looks like something I already have in my home, I pin it. For example, here is a project I saw recently:

Source

I already have the scrabble tiles, the family picture, pretty paper, and a frame. I could recreate this cute idea right now if I wanted to because these items are in my house.

Or see this utensil holder?

Source

It sure looks a lot like my “vase”:

I’ve never thought of using it as a utensil holder…until now.

So, bottom line. SHOP YOUR HOUSE. It’s amazing what you already have.

 

I hope this helps you find a few new FREE things around you. And if you have a free suggestion in your neighborhood, please leave it in the comments section for others to see.

 
 

I’m linking up!

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia , A Bowl Full of Lemons, The Thrifty Home, Someday Crafts, Seven Thirty Three, Beyond the Picket Fence, House of Hepworths, Tales From Bloggeritaville, Made in a Day, Sassy Sites, Chic on a Shoestring Decorating, The Shabby Nest, Remodelaholic, Beneath My Heart, Lolly Jane Boutique, Be Different Act Normal, C.R.A.F.T., Thrifty Decor Chick, Funky Junk Interiors, Under the Table and Dreaming, House of Grace, Primitive and Proper, Sugar Bee Crafts, Home Stories A 2 Z, Domestically Speaking, Southern Lovely, Somewhat Simple, Love Notes By Lauryn

 

Pin It