Imagine furnishing your home, stocking your pantry, and getting quality items for your family without spending a single dollar. Thousands of Americans are doing exactly that through buy nothing groups, a growing movement that is transforming how communities share resources and helping families save hundreds to thousands of dollars each year.
Buy nothing groups are hyperlocal online communities where neighbors give away items they no longer need and receive things they want, all completely free. No buying, selling, trading, or bartering allowed. With over 12.85 million members across Facebook groups and 1.5 million users on the Buy Nothing App, this social movement has spread to 44 countries.
What Are Buy Nothing Groups?
Buy nothing groups are local online communities, typically hosted on Facebook or through the Buy Nothing App, where people give away and receive items for free. The concept started in 2013 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, when co-founders Liesl Clark and Rebecca Rockefeller created a local Facebook group to reduce plastic waste and foster community connections.
Members post photos of items they want to give away, from furniture and clothing to household goods and food. Other members comment if interested, and the giver selects a recipient. Pickup is arranged at the giver’s doorstep or a convenient location. There is no expectation of payment, trade, or reciprocity.
What makes these groups different from selling platforms is the focus on building a gift economy. The goal is creating genuine connections with neighbors, reducing consumption and waste, and helping people who might be struggling financially.
How Much Money Can You Actually Save?
Members report saving several hundred to several thousand dollars annually. One member saved approximately $500 per year by getting houseplants, kites for kids, and household items. Another member moving to a new home furnished their entire retail shop with donated furniture, lights, and display items, saving thousands of dollars.
Common high-value items frequently available include furniture like couches, desks, and dining tables; baby items such as car seats, strollers, and clothing; kitchen appliances and cookware; exercise equipment; electronics; and seasonal items like holiday decorations and gardening supplies.
Consider that a decent couch costs $500 to $2,000 new, a car seat ranges from $100 to $400, and kitchen appliances run $50 to $200. Acquiring just a few items through a buy nothing group can easily save $1,000 or more per year.
How to Find and Join Buy Nothing Groups
Finding Groups on Facebook
Search for “Buy Nothing” followed by your city, neighborhood, or zip code in the Facebook search bar. Multiple groups may appear if you live in or near a large city. Choose the group closest to your address. Request to join the group and answer screening questions confirming you live in the area. Wait for admin approval, which can take anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks.
Using the Buy Nothing App
Download the free Buy Nothing App from the App Store or Google Play. Create your profile with basic information. The app uses geo-location to automatically show you available items within your chosen radius (0.5 to 20 miles, or 50 miles for sustaining members). Start browsing, asking, and giving immediately without waiting for admin approval.
Other Free Community Platforms
If buy nothing groups are not active in your area, try these alternatives:
- Facebook Marketplace has a dedicated free section
- Nextdoor is a neighborhood-focused social network with free stuff sections
- Freecycle is a network of local groups for giving away free items
- Craigslist has a free section in most cities
How Buy Nothing Groups Work
Posting Items to Give
Take clear, well-lit photos of the item from multiple angles. Write an honest description including size, condition, brand, and any flaws. Specify pickup details such as your general neighborhood and when the item is available. Let the post simmer for 24 to 48 hours to give multiple people a chance to express interest. Choose a recipient and arrange pickup. Mark the post as “gifted” once claimed.
Requesting Items You Need
Post an “ISO” (in search of) or “Ask” post describing what you need and why. Be specific but not demanding. Check the group regularly because items are posted throughout the day. When you see something you want, comment “interested” quickly. If selected, respond promptly to arrange pickup and show up reliably. Express gratitude publicly in the group after receiving an item.
Group Etiquette and Rules
Buy nothing groups have clear rules to maintain the gift economy model:
- No buying, selling, trading, or bartering allowed
- No business promotion or advertising
- Be respectful and kind in all interactions
- No spamming or posting unrelated content
- Give back when you can, but there is no obligation
What You Can Get From Buy Nothing Groups
Most Common Categories
Clothing and accessories for all ages; furniture including couches, chairs, and tables; kitchen items such as dishes, cookware, and appliances; baby and kids items like clothes, toys, and car seats; home decor including art, mirrors, and lamps; electronics such as phones, tablets, and chargers; outdoor and sporting goods like bikes and camping gear; food including pantry staples and garden produce; plants, seeds, and gardening supplies; pet supplies; building materials and tools; and books and media.
Services and Intangibles
Beyond physical items, many groups facilitate sharing of services and skills. Members offer advice and expertise on topics like home repair, gardening, and financial planning; rides and transportation; borrowing items temporarily; lessons and teaching in areas like music or language; event tickets that someone can no longer use; and free meals.
Real Stories of Savings and Community Impact
Jennifer, a New Jersey member, furnished her entire backyard through her local buy nothing group. She received a complete patio set, planters for her vegetable garden, and plants to grow tomatoes, spinach, basil, and mint. All free. She estimates her backyard would have cost well over $1,000 if purchased new.
Irina, who moved from a tiny New York City apartment to a house in New Jersey, found nearly everything through buy nothing groups. She received a baby bassinet, clothing, shoes for her kids, and countless household items, saving an estimated $5,000 to $10,000.
One member experienced true community power when their main sewer backed up into their basement. Within 45 minutes of posting a request to borrow a shop vac, four neighbors showed up with vacuums, large fans, and dehumidifiers to help clean up.
Tips for Getting the Most Value
Be Quick but Patient
Popular items get claimed fast, sometimes within minutes. Turn on notifications for your buy nothing group so you see new posts immediately. However, be patient. If you do not get the first item you request, keep trying.
Give to Receive
While there is no requirement to give in order to receive, groups thrive when members both contribute and take. Regularly post items you no longer need. The act of giving often brings more satisfaction than receiving.
Build Relationships
Take time to introduce yourself when you first join. Engage in conversations beyond just claiming items. Thank people publicly when you receive something. The stronger your connections within the group, the more fulfilling your experience will be.
Check Before You Buy
Before purchasing anything new, check your buy nothing group first. Post an “ISO” request or browse recent listings. You might save yourself a shopping trip and unnecessary expense.
Respect the Gift Economy
Never try to sell items you received from the group. If you no longer want something you claimed, offer it back to the group for free. Honor the spirit of generosity that makes these communities work.
Potential Challenges and Solutions
Long Wait Times for Admin Approval
Some Facebook groups take days or weeks to approve new members. Try the Buy Nothing App instead for immediate access, or look for alternative free community groups on Nextdoor or Freecycle.
Not Finding What You Want
Buy nothing groups rely on what members are giving away. Be patient and check regularly. Post an “Ask” request describing what you need. Consider expanding your search radius or joining multiple groups.
Feeling Tempted to Take Too Much
Be mindful and intentional about what you request. Ask yourself if you genuinely need the item or if you are just tempted because it is free. Saying no to something you do not need means it can go to someone who truly wants it.
Environmental and Social Benefits
Buy nothing groups keep perfectly good items out of landfills. In 2023 alone, the fashion industry produced 97 million tons of waste. By extending the life of items through reuse, these groups significantly reduce environmental impact.
The groups foster genuine human connection in an era of increasing isolation. Neighbors who might never have met become friends. People learn to ask for help and offer support. The groups promote values of generosity, trust, gratitude, and cooperation.
Buy nothing groups also provide a dignified way for people facing financial hardship to access needed items without stigma. There is no means testing or proof of need required. Everyone participates equally, helping reduce inequality at the local level.
Getting Started Today
Ready to start saving money and building community? Here are your next steps:
- Search for “Buy Nothing” and your location on Facebook or download the Buy Nothing App from your phone’s app store
- Request to join your local group or create your profile in the app
- Introduce yourself to the community once you are in
- Look around your home for items you no longer use and post your first “give”
- Browse recent posts and get a feel for how the group operates
- Post an “Ask” for something you need or keep an eye out for items others are offering
- Arrange your first pickup and experience the joy of community exchange
- Express gratitude and build relationships with your neighbors
Remember, the key to success in buy nothing groups is active participation, generosity, reliability, and respect for the gift economy model.
By joining a buy nothing group, you are not just saving money. You are participating in a more sustainable, connected, and caring way of living.
Disclaimer
SaveMeMonthly.com provides general money-saving info, not financial, legal, tax, insurance, or professional advice. Offers, rates, and terms change and vary by location. Always confirm details with the provider before you buy. We may earn a commission from some links at no extra cost to you. Trademarks belong to their owners. Your choices are your responsibility.
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