Buy Nothing Group Review
If you’ve never heard of Buy Nothing Groups (BNG), then I’m here to (possibly) change your life. Buy Nothing Groups operate under the idea that most things we need can be garnered from our community rather than purchased. I’ve been in my BNG for at least 3 years (I can’t remember) and it’s long past the time for me to share a Buy Nothing Group review!
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Buy Nothing Group Review
In short, I LOVE my Buy Nothing group. It’s an easy way to give items away (saving me a trip to donate them and saving A LOT of stuff from the landfill). And it’s a great way to get some items we need or would benefit from.
The official BuyNothing “brand” has a website and an app, but most groups are on Facebook and they’re limited to the area you live in. You can certainly type in “Buy Nothing Group [your city name]” and you should see the results pop up.
I will say that a Buy Nothing group is only as good as its members and the admins. Our primary admin is devoted and on top of it – engaging in almost every post and keeping us all following the rules (yes, there are rules).
This also means that the more people you have in the group, the more fruitful it will be for giving and receiving.
What I’ve Received on BNG
- cable ties
- Beeswax Wrap
- Lincoln Logs
- Binder & Sheet Protectors
- Carseat & Kids Clothes
- Produce – lemons, oranges, persimmons
- puzzles
- packing matierals
- dice
- garden mulch
- External CD drive (borrowed)
What I’ve Given on my BNG
- beauty products
- vaccuum
- kids’ toys
- backpack
- extra cooked food
- puzzles
- clothing
- jewelry
- cups/serveware
- printer ink/coffee
Buy Nothing Group Review Tips
Here’s a quick little bio and rules from my local BNG page. “No buying or selling, no trades or bartering, no soliciting for cash. We’re an adult-only, hyper-local gift economy.”
So how does it work? You just state what you’re gifting or looking for. Pictures are always best (and really a must if you’re gifting anything). You can give as many or as few details as you want. Our group requires you to list cross streets for pickup to help those without easy access to transportation know if it’s feasible for them.
Most pickups are from your front porch – no contact. Some are offered with drop offs or meeting somewhere. It’s all up to preference.
A few tips:
- Be truthful and helpful. Since you’re aren’t here to make money, be truthful about the state of something. Someone is getting it for free, so they aren’t expecting something pristine.
- Be open and flexible with questions and pickup needs
- Give as good as you get. Don’t offer half used things and then ask for shiny new things.
- It’s ok to just give or just ask in the group. Sometimes in life you have more to share and other times, you need more.
- don’t try to sneak in something that’s purchased
- have fun with it!
Small Home Living Tips
Want some organization tips for small home living? Check out these posts of kitchen appliance organization, how to store reusable bags, seasonal clothing storage, and mail and paperwork organization! If you’re working to downsize your closet, see my step-by-step tips for a minimalist wardrobe (that feels anything but small).
You’ll also want to read how we’re making our home more sustainable; my go to clean home cleaning products; and how to declutter your mailbox!
Keep an eye on this constantly updated list of sustainable product reviews for every aspect of life! Don’t miss these refillable cleaning products! And if you shop online, you’ll want to read these tips for shopping more sustainably on Amazon.
