Teresa Holland
I know a magical word. No, it is not abracadabra. It is a word that is more realistic… “Free!”
Some people are already ahead of the game and doing spring cleaning. Maybe you have already
spotted some still good things stacked next to the road with a big sign containing only one word.
You guessed it. “Free.”
Who does not like free? It has a magical sound that certainly can peak one’s interest. A good find
not only can help to recycle products already made with the earth’s resources and people’s labor,
but it can also save you some money if it is something that you can put to good use.
But there are also different ways to think of free. If it is a large item that you need to get rid of, it
can save you money if you do not have to pay to haul it off. One occasion I found this to be true,
was when a piano company told me that they would charge $75 to take away an old antique
upright piano. Yes, it was very heavy and not easy to move, but again it was a piano, right?
When I told him that I would get rid of it myself, he said that no one would want it. However, I
just smiled and said “Free” has a magical sound to it. Within a day the piano was rolled down the
street to its new home at a neighbor’s house. Of course, it was kind of a neighborhood affair to
get it there. But it is still a great memory, and it found a new appreciative home.
Another time, a car that had quit running sat in the driveway threatening to become an eyesore
after the snow melted. It was going to have to be towed somewhere even though it was no longer
worth fixing. But instead of paying to have it removed, a junk yard came with a flatbed truck and
took it. They even gave us some money for it. Free removal plus a bonus— problem solved.
Sometimes, you just need to get creative.
Then there is another kind of free. You have a small investment in the beginning, but then what
comes after is free. Some ideas that bring this to mind is planting a few vegetables. It does not
even have to be a full-blown garden. Plants keep on giving not only to you, but to others you share with. Of course, you can think of plants like tomatoes, peppers and zucchini that most people will welcome (that is until everyone has had
their fill of zucchini).
It is evident on the internet that people are always searching for free ideas to help with
developing interests or hobbies. You can find free patterns, recipes, travel ideas, entertainment,
or something else just waiting for you.
There are many ways to think of free, but it is always fun to find a good deal. There are not
many deals better than free. By being creative it can help you to save money and help to save the
planet at the same time. What can you share for free? Do you have flower bulbs that need
thinning, clothes that no longer fit, books that you know you will never read again, old bikes
taking up room in the garage? How about freeing up some space and making someone’s day with
that magical word on the sign that says “free.”
Teresa Holland is a guest columnist, writer, and retired advanced-practice registered nurse.
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