I have been collecting stuff for a Fundraiser Garage Sale for a cancer survivor. But I have been having such good luck finding stuff, I think I will turn this into a little money maker for myself after this one garage sale is complete.
1. I have used Freecycle to get things - for free. Freecycle is a community based Yahoo! Group where members post things they want or things they are giving away. Their should be a Freecycle group in every large community. The point of Freecycle is to keep things out of the landfill. Anything I can't sell, I will just put back on Freecycle.
2. Craigslist.org has a Free section. I have gotten many things from there. Again, Craigslist.org is community based and just about every city has their own Craigslist group. Note: the .com is porn, so make sure you go to .org.
3. Just watching the curb. Last night I got a working vaccuum cleaner, 12 speed bicycle (just needs air), Christmas decorations, toys, a large kid-sized toy ATV, toddler bed, crutches, fishing gear, lawn chairs, and a few other things. All of this was at the curb with the regular trash. Incredible what people will throw away. I have previously picked up other bicycles, scooters, wheelbarrow, bowling balls (4 of them so far), keg of skunky beer, etc.
So after my fundraiser garage sale, I will continue to keep an eye out and have my own garage sales a few times a year just to raise a few extra dollars. And I will find a few things along the way I want to keep also. It keeps things out of the landfills and helps people who need some quality merchandise. Everyone wins.
Not going to make a living doing this, but it is fun and every little bit helps.