Swap Parties: A Fun and Frugal Way to Get New Stuff

I work at a large company, and it seems like all my friends are selling something on the side to make a little extra money. My desk can become clogged with catalogs for candles, cookware, makeup, purses, costume jewelry, trendy clothes, and candy. I could go broke in a hurry if I bought all their products!

Sometimes these items are given as gifts for special occasions, or are re-gifted to some unsuspecting coworker. So one day I was thinking...

Isn't there a better way to get some of this stuff, at a price I can afford?

A friend and I came up with the idea of having a swap party.

We could all get together and bring a box of stuff we would gladly trade for something else. Our trash could be another person's treasure. Their junk may be something I have been searching for.

We could even have a swap party around a theme like books, kids clothing and toys, or beauty products. Bring along some snacks, drinks, a few juicy bits of gossip, and let the fun begin!

What could be better than getting things without spending a dime?


Irene Helen Zundel is a freelance writer, educator and mother, and an expert in child development, home schooling and creative parenting and home making.
Visit her online at http://www.irenehelenzundel.com