The search is on for a refrigerator. My son’s family desperately needs one. We had a trailer pulled onto our property them, but it came without appliances. We’ve never been the sort of people who run out and buy brand-spanking new things, especially big-ticket items. So, I started looking.

The first thing I did was help the kids determine what size refrigerator they need. The space is relatively small, and we decided that a 14-cubic-foot refrigerator would be about as large as they could go. I did the obligatory Internet search to compare prices. Even the smallest of refrigerators ran upwards of $400.00 when purchased new. I need to do much better than that. In fact, those who know me well, will tell you I am so frugal that I will look for a free one first. They’re correct. Never pay for something you can get for free—and they’re are plenty of free things. You just have to look for them.

Without a doubt, the best free stuff on the Web can be found at www.freecycle.org. Freecycle lets you join a mailing list from your area. It’s like a cyber garage sale that never ends. When you sign up, you receive an updated e-mail every day. I’m constantly amazed at some of the items that people are giving away. Here’s a sample from this morning’s e-mail for the Wausau, area:

1. Offer: 25″ Sanyo Color Television – Weston From: Super Lou
2. Offer-small TV stand- Rothschild From: Lisa
3. Offer-Chemistry set-Kronenwetter
4. Offer-Shoe Cabinet

I haven’t found the refrigerator yet, but I do have my eye on the scrap wood and the shoe cabinet. Some folks want the items picked up immediately, which a problem for me, as we only make one trip a week into Wausau (sometimes less). So, we have to coordinate pick-ups and drop offs.

If you have something that someone else can use, and you don’t feel like driving it to the thrift shop, consider giving it away on Freecycle. If you’re looking for something, look at Freecycle first.