[sandgiant]

We live in a community of ~100 people. We have a room full of other people's left over things that we can take (or add to) for free. 90% of the gifts and clothes for our, and other people's children, we source from that room. We are able to give away a lot more and higher quality stuff than if we would have to buy it and the kids are just as happy.

It's incredible how much stuff is produced just to be thrown away. But I guess it keeps the wheels turning? I often wonder wether this is the best system there is. Something tells me it's not.

[mlboss]

To add on this, there is a "Buy Nothing" group. There is also a active Facebook groups dedicated to local communities. https://buynothingproject.org

[AussieWog93]

To take away from this, I've found that people who search for free stuff on Facebook tend to be painful to deal with - not turning up, leaving parts of the product they don't want behind for you to dispose of, jumping on products they don't even want just because it's free and just generally being ungrateful arseholes.

You're much better off selling something at a price below market value if you want it gone cheap to someone can use it.

[silisili]

Same experience. Never list for free. You'll only attract the very worst of humanity you didn't know even existed.

A lot of times I'll just list something for 20 bucks just to weed those people out. Then when a buyer shows up just telling them it's free.

[indiscriminate]

At the end of my posting I ask people to write me back with an exact date and time they will come over, a number so I can text them the address, and one of their personal or professional goals. If they don't write all 3 then I don't respond. It works pretty well!

[vorpalhex]

I've had good luck requiring someone to make an appointment and pick up free stuff. No need to deal with money, they still get the stuff for free and seems to cut out the time wasters.

[voidee]

I’ve used BuyNothing many times in my city. I’ve mostly used it to give things away, but have scored some great camping gear too. It’s been a very positive experience compared to listing free items on Facebook or Craigslist. People on BuyNothing have been responsible and grateful.

[bloudermilk]

Can you share more about your community?

[sandgiant]

The community was created in the 70s. Back then it was more political, today it's more practical. The age demographic is more or less flat (0-85) with a dip around late teens (we're in the countryside to most young adults choose to move to the city). We own the property together and cook and eat together five days a week. We have various shared workshops, depending on what the need/desires are at any given time. While we don't farm the land ourselves (not enough land), we try to buy local and organic produce whenever possible.

Cooking for many people, sharing tools, common areas, etc, saves a lot of money and resources. We are thus able to support a wide range of income levels. With the caveat that we're in a fairly equal country (Northern Europe), the community attracts a wide range of backgrounds, from unskilled workers to teachers and doctors. Everyone gets chores and responsibilities assigned based on personal priorities, skills and the needs at the time.

We have a "rule-book" that defines a democratic voting system for making decisions. We hold meetings every other week. I would lie if I said it was always pleasant or easy, but it does work surprisingly well. I think it helps that the place is around 50 years old, so we've had the chance to learn from mistakes and update the "rule-book" along the way.

I don't think it's for everyone, and I'm not sure how well this scales beyond 50-100 people, but I do think that you can be happier, healthier and wealthier living in suitable small-scale communities, sharing everyday tasks and tools. Instead of everyone owning their own everything.

[drited]

Yeah it sounds interesting but what are the details on how likely obstacles are overcome? what do you do when the room fills up? Who owns the land? Who manages it? Who stops people from using it as a trash repository?