Well my girlfriend and I haunt thrift stores and we generally keep an eye out for things for each other.....last find was a mug warmer she wanted for by the computer to keep her coffee hot. Found one for a dollar for her....she has picked up sewing supplies and novels for me at great prices .....we just keep an eye out for things. She will pick up an interesting item (say a stainless steel basket) and show me and we will decide what to use it for....last one went into the bathroom to hold shampoos etc. on a shelf. We can usually find something and do something with the item between us brainstorming. I think frugal wishlists are great....we exchange frugal gifts at birthdays and christmas.....neither of us mind in the least if something was previously owned.

I do this with one really good friend and family. My friend would never, ever pick up anything at the curb, but she gives me all her magazines when she is done with them, and I in turn pass them on to a person, who passes them on, who passes them on. I always need "poop bags" and my friend saves those for me, she also saves torn pantyhose for me to use in the garden, as a home made Swiffer kinda thing, and for straining paint, since I'm always redoing something I found. I have passed on great stuff found at the curb, including two beautiful tricycles, a beautiful, intact, white wicker desk, rocking chairs, etc. I have called people I knew were in need when I saw stuff too heavy for me to get alone, one time a baby changing table, swing, crib, etc. all in perfect shape. Why people don't call the Salvation Army or something is beyond me, but good for me too.

A couple of friends have just purchased new homes, and I've been providing surplus houseplants. Also I'm going to make some cuttings of outdoor plants for them. We don't throw anything away if it's not broken. We ask if anyone we know needs it first, if not it goes to Salvation Army or thrift store. For large pieces that cannot be saved, my friend has a bonfire party. We've burned sofas, chairs, and a piano (after salvaging the hinges and real ivory keys and everything else we could pry off).

Meghane I too ask around to see if anyone needs anything I sometimes bring stuff to work, often one of the plant workers needs something; sometimes it's stuff that can be used at work, like extra chairs for the lunchroom, etc.