We’re going through a “I don’t want to watch ‘baby’ movies anymore Mommy, can I watch Hannah Montana for the three hundredth time today???” phase in our house right now, and I end up staring at a few (dozen) DVDs that have fallen by the wayside. What to do? If your kids have finally outgrown the Wiggles and you need to unload the entire DVD collection, or if you’re wondering what to do with the Dora library you no longer have to read over and over again, Swaptree may be your new BFF. As its name implies, Swaptree creates a network of trades through ‘have’ and ‘want’ lists you compile, using a special algorithm that magically matches what you’re offering with books, CDs, DVDs, and videogames. The more popular the item you’re offering (meaning, the more ‘want’ lists the item is already on), the more choices you have to swap. Swapping is free, except for postage, which usually runs under $3 per trade.

What makes Swaptree even MORE awesome is you can import your Amazon wishlist, or any lists from other websites (I imported the Children’s Bestseller list from B&N) - all you need is the URL with ISBN numbers - to type right into Swaptree, saving you time retyping that ultimate bedtime books list you’ve been compiling. You can also print postage labels right from Swaptree, saving you time at the post office. Goodbye Baby Einstein, hello High School Musical!

Starting tomorrow, when you sign up with Swaptree, you’ll get your first trade postage-free!  The Swaptree links should give you the promo code automatically when you sign up, but if not, type in the code ‘teensy’ when you’re prompted for a promo code.  Happy swapping!

Freecycle is another free offering/taking service, right in your own community. Each group is monitored by a local resident, and has its own set of rules and regulations. I joined my local Freecycle group, which amazingly has over two thousand people participating! Everything under the sun has been offered and taken, all very quickly and discreetly, including books, dollhouses, children’s clothing, even birds and furniture! If you see something you want that is offered, you privately email the person - no money is exchanged, and there’s no mailing of items. You’re responsible for picking the item up.

The tricky part is to keep up with the updating, and to email the offerer quickly if you see something you want - I jumped on some books, but wasn’t so quick on the draw. If you find Craigslist a bit creepy, Freecycle might be the place for you. Either way, with Swaptree or Freecycle, you’re saving money, packaging, gas, and overall making a greener choice to recycle items in your home. I’m sure any one of the Presidents taking refuge in wallets across the country will be pleased…