Buy Nothing Project: Give, Ask, and Borrow From Your Neighbors for Free

The Buy Nothing Project is a worldwide network of hyperlocal gift groups where neighbors give things away, ask for what they need, and say thank you. No money, no trades, no haggling.

“Class, the name says it all. Buy Nothing. If you raise your hand and ask what it costs, you get detention. The answer is always zero.”

What is the Buy Nothing Project?

Buy Nothing is a gift economy. Members post three kinds of things: Gives (items or help they are offering), Asks (things they are looking for), and Gratitude (public thank-yous). Everything is free, and nobody expects anything in return.

What makes it different from a plain giveaway board is the neighborly spirit. You can give a half bag of potting soil, lend a ladder, offer to hem a pair of pants, or ask to borrow a baking pan for one birthday cake. Gifts of time and skills count too.

Three ways to join

• The Buy Nothing app. Free for phones, with a matching website you can use on a computer. You set your own sharing distance and see posts from nearby neighbors. The project says the app has no ads and no algorithm deciding what you see.
• Private Communities in the app. A newer feature for smaller circles, such as a building, a church, or a retirement community.
• Local Facebook groups. Many neighborhoods still have Buy Nothing groups on Facebook, run by volunteer admins who set the boundaries and house rules.

Why I assign it to my students

• It is truly free. No selling, trading, or bartering is allowed, so nobody sneaks a price tag in.
• Borrowing beats buying. Why spend money on a carpet cleaner you will use twice a year?
• You meet real neighbors. Many members say the friendships are the best part.
• Less goes to the landfill. Half-used craft kits and outgrown shoes find a second home.

How to use Buy Nothing, step by step

1. Pick your method. Download the app, use the website, or search Facebook for your neighborhood’s Buy Nothing group.
2. Set up your profile. Use a first name or nickname and a general area. Do not post your street address.
3. Read the community rules. Members agree to Buy Nothing’s rules and community agreement. Local groups may add their own.
4. Start with a Give. Snap a photo, describe the condition honestly, and post it. Givers often wait a bit and then choose a recipient, rather than rewarding whoever answers first.
5. Post an Ask. Need moving boxes, a toddler bed, or a cup of sugar? Ask nicely and explain briefly.
6. Say thank you. A Gratitude post makes the whole group warmer.

Who it’s great for

• College students: furnish a first apartment with lamps, dishes, and desks for zero dollars.
• Young families: kids outgrow clothes and toys at lightning speed. Pass them along and receive the next size up.
• Working adults: borrow tools for a weekend project instead of buying them.
• Retirees: downsizing is easier when grateful neighbors carry away the extra china, and the social connection is a lovely bonus.

Safety tips for pickups

• Use porch pickup when giving. Set the item outside with a name on it.
• For receiving, meet in a public spot or bring a friend if you feel unsure.
• Share your exact address only with the one person you chose, and only after you agree on a time.
• Never pay a fee, deposit, or “delivery charge.” That is not Buy Nothing.
• Check used baby gear and helmets for recalls before accepting them.

Professor Ima B. Cheap

Features, rules, and local group boundaries change. Cheap101 is not affiliated with the Buy Nothing Project. Always follow your community’s guidelines and put safety first. More handouts: Cheap101 Class Handouts · Free samples, freebies and rebates