Accepting Things

[terry1156]

I was at work the other day and a co-worker brought in a list of things he needed to get rid of because he was moving. He didn't want any money. He just wanted people to come by and pick up the things if they wanted them. He had a lot of stuff all of which was in nice condition, but nobody seemed to want it. I told him I would take anything that was left over that nobody else wanted and to my surprise that almost ended up being everything.

I wonder why people are so adverse to taking perfectly good used things?

[DivaJen]

I'd be opposed to it if I didn't *need* any of those things, but otherwise I'm with you - there's nothing wrong with a good used item.

[Tree0164]

If I needed it, that would be one thing. I hate having clutter and things that I don't need around.

[mbhunter]

I accept things that are given to me about 95% of the time, even if I don't really need it at the time. The thinking is that if you refuse to take something that's offered to you, you're less likely to get offered to again -- and that time it may have been something that you really could use!

mbhunter

[emily1067]

I had a similar experience this weekend at my yard sale. As things were winding down I marked everything on 2 or 3 tables "free." There was some nice stuff on the free tables but people were more likely to buy things that I hadn't yet marked free than to take things off the free table. Strange.

[acezz4e_tish]

i would of jumped on the offer! i have a pole barn to store stuff not in use. i saved my crib and good thing i did, my son just had his first baby, so u know where it went and what it saved him. all my baby stuff in fact, he dont need anything but diapers and formula right now i tell ya.lol.

[Ima saver]

I had a worker like that, he had a barn full of stuff. i would take it only if I could have a garage sale and get rid of it. I have too much stuff as it is.

[miclason]

a lot of the time people think that, if it's free, there's GOT to be something wrong with it! - I take stuff that I can use...

[flash]

I agree with only taking if you need it, but if you do, pounce!

My mom takes EVERYTHING. Her living room has two hospital beds in it that a relative did not need any more. She's trying to convince my SIL to take them for her kids, but her kids are freaking out. Teenagers.

Then again, if they are things you can resell, maybe split the profit with him, might be worth it.

[jodi]

I agree with mbhunter - take everything, because then people will call you again and again. If I can't use it, I donate it or freecycle it. I have gotten so many free clothes for my kids this way.

[shawni]

When I first started working in my office, a co worker asked me if I wanted clothes that no longer fit her. She has great taste so I gladly accepted. She was really concerned it would bother me. Now, everyone gives me clothes and I give things to others that arent my color or don't fit. It was like after the "taboo" of being frugal and non wasteful was out in the open...it spread like wildfire. Now, it seems like everyone is more open about saving money in a variety of ways. It just makes sense considering we work for a non profit organization.

[LittleGopher]

We gladly welcome any clothes that others (mostly my co-workers with older kids) offer us. My four girls love what we get, and just pounce on the bags and have an immediate 'fashion show'. I have an attic with boxes marked with sizes for anything worth keeping, but at the moment doesn't fit. But mostly, items are dispersed between the four, or we pass them along (either back to work for other co-workers with younger kids or I donate to our favorite charitable thrift shop.)

Now, anything else is another story. We are a family of 6, living in a 1200 sq ft house, with 3 attic crawl spaces and a detached garage. I have a system of storage for clothing as mentioned above and for seasonal items. Otherwise, we don't have a lot of extra room. So, for the most part, if we truly need or will soon need something, I gladly accept an item. Anything else, I give long, hard thought in accepting (though I'll suggest some people or places who may love to receive the items.)

I have no problem in accepting things we need, as well as returning the favor in passing along what we no longer need.

[shelbylovesmelby]

When I was working I felt pretty singled out because I was the "CHEAPSKATE". I never bought lunch ect. I swear other than one gal everyone looked at ya crazy if you said you found this or that @ a rummage. Yet they were the ones talking about how long or what lil $ they could pay this or that bill w/ & not get services cut off!?!?! ie,, living beyond their means.

I take almost every thing offered 2 me , if I can't use it myself I will give it to someone who can.

[PRICEPLUS]

I take free things. I also donate what I can't use to charity type shops that sell used items.

[cercis]

I'm on a temporary moratorium of accepting free things. Except clothes. I'll accept all clothes, for me or my boys. Whether it fits or not. Books too (just dont' tell dh, we have 9 boxes of books which is what was left over after we gave over 1,000 to our church before we moved last year).

I've stopped shopping almost completely because I always see some little thing I like - candle holders, cloth napkins, books, etc. Things I don't need at all.

[dmontngrey]

"When I was working I felt pretty singled out because I was the "CHEAPSKATE". I never bought lunch ect"

You're not alone with this one! I'm the only one in my office that brings my lunch every day. Everyone picks on me so much. I hate it, since I'm the one being wise and not wasting money on lunch out. I don't know why they see it as such a bad thing to bring lunch every day.

I do have one new coworker though that's starting to see me as a role model! She tries to bring her lunch most days and asks me for advice on financial things. I'm not sure how she'd feel about my garage sale finds though....

I will take free items if offered. I pass along those I don't need. I have my husband trained on this as well!

[acezz4e_tish]

dont feel bad about bringing lunch! your eating better then they are. i bought a really big lunch bag at dollar general for 5 dollars for my lunch. i always had someone asking for something or the new guy w/ no money and no lunch. i packed veggie trays in my tupperware, made my own pudding and jello, two kinds of sandwiches. i always had a gr8 lunch and tomorrows was covered too, just made one more sandwich and i was good to go.
as for shopping, im a candle and placemat aholic.lol

[Ima saver]

I worked in a restaurant and I always took my lunch. eveyone else ordered lunch cause they got an employee discount. I paid nothing and had more money than anyone else that I worked with.
I don't get offered much stuff, but I would take what I could use. We like it when people with gardens offer us stuff to eat. We don't grow anything.

[frugalfarmwife]

If it's free it's for me! The main thing is NOT letting it accumulate which I'm getting better at! If I can't use it, friends can't use it and I can't sell it then off it goes to goodwill or other charity organizations.

Funny, hubby and I are the dumping ground for both families, last years fashions, second hand anything and everything that they've had to replace with the newest/best, between using things and selling extras on ebay it's made a HUGE difference in our financial situation, our clothing budget is almost 0, just new undies as needed (mom buys us socks for Christmas) and jeans/t shirts/turtlenecks/sweatshirts from goodwill as needed for my "work" clothes around the farm.

I'm NOT to proud to accept these things, let them snicker if they want, but their giving away money as far as I'm concerned!

kj

[acezz4e_tish]

schools can also use clothing of all sizes. kids have accidents and need a change of clothes now and then. my son had it happen twice. dogde ball after it rained! you know slip and slides? lol mud sliding seems fun to boys.lol