Use "Curb Alerts" to Find Free Things in Your Community.

Use "Curb Alerts" to Find Free Things in Your Community.

You can get great stuff that people are giving away if you're willing to put in the time and effort.

You have to be inventive in these fascinating economic times, when unemployment is low because everyone works like four jobs (but still can't afford rent). The good news is that some basic economic principles always hold true, regardless of how chaotic things may appear to be. For example, you can frequently exchange sweat equity for money. It's as old as society itself to exchange time and effort for goods and services, and by incorporating curb alerts into your life, you can use that currency in more ways than you might imagine.

An announcement known as a curb alert informs you that someone has left free items on the street, such as furniture or outdated toys, and you are welcome to take them. This practice is also known as "stooping" or "curb mining.". In other words, if you work hard and put in the time, you can buy a lot of things for nothing. This isn't just a way for poor people to get free furniture for their homes; it's also a way for people to get rid of things they no longer need without feeling bad about contributing to the landfill problem. It used to be that on trash night you had to drive around your town looking for treasures, but nowadays there are reliable curb alert systems that will keep you informed and make it much easier to find the things you need.

how curb alerts function.

There is no universal curb alert system, so deciding which one to use depends largely on your neighborhood and the communication methods being used there. Curb alerts are typically obtained in the following ways:.

The "hyperlocal" social network Nextdoor.com has an entire section devoted to free items left out on the curb. It also connects people in a single neighborhood.

It has a whole section devoted to free items being put out on the curb, and this "hyperlocal" social platform connects people in a single neighborhood. While OfferUp is primarily used to sell unwanted items, it also lets you list a variety of items for free, so regularly filtering listings can serve as a curb alert.

OfferUp is primarily used to sell unwanted items, but it also lets you list a variety of items for free. As a result, regularly filtering listings can serve as a curb alert. When they're leaving free items on the sidewalk, people frequently include "curb alert" in their listings on Craigslist.com.

When they are leaving free items on the sidewalk, people frequently include "curb alert" in their listings. It only takes a few clicks to locate one serving your neighborhood on Facebook, where there are a ton of public groups devoted to curb alerts.

Finding a curb alerts public group on Facebook that serves your region is simple because there are so many of them. BuyNothing . is a freecycling, "global reuse" platform that isn't quite a curb alert but is incredibly helpful if you're looking to recycle someone else's trash. It supports a network of neighborhood communities that make it simple to give away (and claim) unwanted items. Local BuyNothing communities exist.

You can also simply search social media for your area and the terms "curb alert" or "stooping"; chances are, some helpful people are keeping an eye out for curb alerts and sharing them via real-time posts. Because it emphasizes visual content and makes it simple to post pictures of the treasures that have been curbed, Instagram is a preferred social media platform for stoopers.

All you have to do is review them once you start receiving curb alerts in a steady stream, and be ready to act quickly if you spot anything useful. A few things to think about are:.

Timing. Knowing your local trash schedule is a good idea because people often put their trash out around that time so it doesn't sit there for days. Additionally, the last week of the month is a busy time for curb alerts as people moving out often leave things outside that they'd rather not haul to their new place.

Knowing your local trash schedule is a good idea because people usually put their trash out around that time so it doesn't sit there for days and days. Additionally, the last week of the month is a busy time for curb alerts as people moving out frequently put things outside that they'd rather not haul to their new place. Location. Despite the fact that people from all socioeconomic backgrounds throw things away, better items are likely to be thrown away by residents of more affluent neighborhoods. Know where the wealthy people live and keep an eye out for their curb alerts if you want to snag some high-quality items off the street.

Although people from all socioeconomic backgrounds throw things away, those who live in more affluent areas are likely to do so with better quality. Know where the rich people live and keep an eye out for their curb alerts if you want to snag some high-end items off the street. Safety. Keep in mind that you don't know anything about the people who are discarding this stuff, and you also have no idea what might have happened to the free items had they been left out in the open. Be ready to clean and sanitize your stuff (especially the upholstery, unless you like bedbugs), and avoid plugging in electronics unless you have a fire extinguisher handy, just in case.

Be mindful of the following: You don't know anything about the individuals who are discarding this material, and you have no idea what might have happened to the free items had they been left out in the open. Be ready to disinfect and clean your stuff (especially the upholstery, unless you like bedbugs), and be cautious when plugging in electronics without a fire extinguisher nearby, just in case. Etiquette. Because you're essentially competing for something, curb alerts can be exciting. Keep in mind that you might not be the only person interested in an item and that curb alerts are very much first come, first served.

The curb turn.

Curb alerts are primarily used to obtain free furniture or equipment for homes, but some people use them as a means of making money on the side by snatching free items from the curb, fixing them up, and then selling them. Since the items were free to begin with, any money you receive in exchange for them is pure profit, less any incidental money spent on parts, cleaning supplies, or items like paint.

It can be difficult to determine whether a stereo, television, or computer left out on the curb can be fixed, which is something to keep in mind if you're thinking about using curb alerts to support a side business flipping items. It can also be difficult to distinguish a vintage or antique item of real value from a piece of fast furniture designed to look like a vintage piece. To put it another way, prepare a strategy for getting rid of that stuff if it proves to be less useful than you anticipated.

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