Setting yourself up to live costs more than it looks. A full apartment move easily passes €5,000. Dressing for a season, another €300-500. And in between, the small unexpected things: a new coffee maker, a duvet, an office chair when you start working from home.
The good news is that almost all of that, someone nearby is letting go of right now. The circular economy has changed the rule: you no longer need to buy everything new to have a functional home, a decent wardrobe, and tools that work.
By category: where to look first
Furniture and decor Neighbor exchange apps like Givore, local groups, and secondhand markets. September and June are the busiest months (student moves and job relocations). If you live near a university area, watch the end of June.
Clothes Markets, rastros, and free exchange apps like Givore. Secondhand clothes from the 80s, 90s, and 2000s are often better made than many new garments today. Wash at 60°C and they’re like new.
Small appliances Coffee makers, microwaves, toasters, and blenders move constantly on donation apps. People upgrade models all the time and toss the previous one even though it still works perfectly.
Books, toys, and games The categories that move the most. Kids grow, tastes change, shelves fill up. There’s always someone with whole boxes waiting to be passed on.
Plants and seeds Gardening groups swap cuttings and plants constantly. Once you have 2-3 plants, you can propagate them yourself.
Sports gear and bikes Exercise benches, dumbbells, kids’ helmets, and children’s bikes are offered at no cost very often. Kids grow out of sizes fast, and adults buy gear they end up not using.
Two practical tips
- One app for all categories. Givore works for everything you’re looking for, and often you find items you hadn’t even thought to ask for. Check regularly: what isn’t there today might appear tomorrow.
- Set aside one day a month to “rotate” your home. Look at what you have stored and don’t use, photograph it, and post it. You’ll receive faster when you also give. The circular economy works in both directions.
How much you can save per year
Someone who combines exchange apps, markets, and a neighbor network can easily save €1,500 to €4,000 per year, depending on normal consumption habits. It’s not an exaggerated figure: just avoiding buying new furniture when you move already saves over €1,000.
And beyond the wallet, something else changes: you start seeing your neighborhood differently. Every neighbor is a potential small shop. Every doorway, a possible move with things to release. Your city stops being just a place where you buy, and becomes a place where things circulate.