Free Frugal Fixes

Getting free samples and small items in the mail is always a treat for those cutting corners and trying to get by with the least amount of money outlay. Usually there is a catch for the "free" item as the promoters have an alternative plan attached to them and your pocketbook. Coupons are one type of a freebie that can be used generally whenever we decide to, but I am seeing fewer of them available now days. Advertisers are keeping watch on their bank accounts as well during these economic rumblings. Yard sales will no doubt increase as individuals seek to capture as much loose change from those looking for a deal in the months to come. At times you can find some really good bargains for the items you are looking for. They were a good source of baby items, toddler bed, toys and miscellaneous items several years ago when we were waiting for our granddaughter to be born.

The best deal we have found of lately was seen as we were driving down the road nearby our home. A local buisness had a large stack of wooden pallets placed out by their dumpster. A quick call to the owner gave us permission to gather as many as we wanted. Out of that first load we have already built 3 item that was needed around here.

One was the large crate we used to haul our goats home in. A feat we were unsure as to how we were going to pull off. As all of our calls to borrow a livestock trailer brought deadends.

After getting the girls home, I then needed a place to milk Amber. Hence our second project from the free pallets. Lon cut the pieces and put it together their first night home. It has been a handy tool every day since.

The makeshift pen we had for them needed a sturdier gate for easier access with a feed bucket and milk pail in hand. The third free project came all in one piece and only need a couple of hinges and a few slats added to keep little miss Sugar behind it and unwelcome visitors out.

One stop shopping gave us 3 free frugal items from something that was destined for the dump.
(Try saying 3 free frugal items three times and see if it doesn't tie your tongue up too.)

I believe this is the first ever use of throw away items in such a big way. All for FREE too. We are on the speed dial for this shop and whenever they get a stack, we are given a call to come pick them up. The last load had several over-sized heavy pallets that look like future walls to me in our soon to be built barns and. The owner is much appreciative as he has to pay to dump them at the local landfill. It's a win - win situation, he saves money and we save money. No trip to the local home improvement store for wood pieces, just a step outside to our own supply house. I wonder what else we will find hidden in the stack of pallets. Waiting to be discovered and put into good use. It will be fun to see how we can turn them around into useful items that will help us build up our farm.

Seeing things in a new way,

Deborah