Home Improvement -Try websites like Freecycle and Habitat for Humanity (look for their re-stores). They should have local stores or “re-stores” where you can pick up home improvement products at a fraction of the cost of the home improvement stores. Not to mention the fact that the products are either recycled, re-usable or brand new overages from builders who would otherwise dump it in a landfill.General Recycling of Goods/

Clothing – If you need cash you can take your best articles to a consignment store. They will do all the work and you will make more money from your clothes than selling out of your garage.

If you have designer duds, they have clothing exchange parties that you can exchange/get credit for your old stuff and walk away with someone elses “old stuff” (yeah, it’s probably only a year old and worn twice, but hey… some girls gotta shop). Nevertheless, this is great therapy for shopaholics who had to cut back in a bad economy.

Business Services and Products – Join a local barter exchange. You can find them in your local chamber of commerce, or at the website of IRTA (Click on “Membership”)*.

*Make sure to talk to your accountant about these kinds of exchanges. Barters are taxable and are required to be reported to the IRS.

Vacations – Did you know you can also barter or trade timeshares or vacation properties? If you have a second home or a timeshare you can trade with other people for unique vacations and new places. Use what you already have to find ways to bring something new and exciting to your family this year

When it comes right down to it, there are ways to get what you want and save money that you may never thought of before. The internet has made this easy for just about everyone. I will leave you with three places that can help you: (1) Freecycle.com has just about everything. (2) When it comes to get Craigslist, don’t be afraid to barter or trade–most people just want to get rid of stuff. (3)Meetup.com helps you connect with people in your particular area to arrange or trade almost anything.