Finding Free Stuff for Single Parents

As a single parent, sticking to your budget each month can seem impossible. Getting free stuff for single parents can help stretch your budget.

Freecycle offers yahoogroups for various locales. After joining one for your area, you will receive emails from people offering items for free and have the opportunity to post free items of your own for others. If you see an email that interests you, email the person offering the free item. Generally, the first person to respond to the email will get the item, but sometimes people have other criteria such as demonstrated need. You can find all sorts of postings from clothing to books to furniture.

Craigslist and other online want ad sites have free stuff sections for various locations. Some sites also offer barter area where you may be able to trade something you no longer need or some of your time for an item that would be useful

Coupons are sometimes available for free stuff. You can check your local newspaper for coupons or look online. If you know people that get the newspaper, ask them to save the coupons section for you so that you may be able to get several of the same coupon that you want.

You can also get free stuff from other people's trash. Dumpster diving may not appeal to you, although it can be a good source of usable items. A drive down neighborhood streets the day before garbage pickup can yield many useful things that are just sitting at the curb with no digging through nasty garbage required.

If you need prescription medication, be sure to ask your doctor for samples. Before filling a prescription, check online at the drug manufacturer's site as there may be coupons available. Some manufacturers offer a free one-month supply to entice you to try the drug.

If you need specific items or sizes of clothing, spread the word to your friends and coworkers. Often, people prefer to give their items to someone deserving that they know rather than to a charity. Be sure to give your outgrown clothes and unwanted items to other people whenever possible.

Want to eat out? Be sure to find out which local restaurants offer kids eat free nights. Usually, you can get one or two kids meals for free if you purchase an adult meal.

For a large selection of miscellaneous freebies, try online freebie sites. Free t-shirts, free software, product samples, etc., are often available.

Looking for online freebies? Visit Free Stuff for Single Parents.More money-saving advice for single parents is available at Single Parent Finances