"Buy Nothing. Give Freely. Share Creatively."

Buy Nothing groups have around for a while. They're a forum where people give and receive things, all without the exchange of any money. The idea is based upon both reusing things rather than disposing of them and fostering generosity. People post what they need and those who can fill the request do. On the flipside, those who have something to give can share and then give it to whoever responds.

The Buy Nothing Project is a growing social movement that encourages giving in all forms, not just the exchange of material goods. Time, wisdom, skills, knowledge, care; all of these can be given.

The project started about seven years ago when two friends decided to try their hand at the gift economy in Bainbridge Island, WA. The project was a great success and groups have been established all over the country. They are usually based around a common geographical location. 

Denver has seen an increase in recent months of membership to these sorts of groups. This is in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has changed the circumstances for many families in the state. Some come to the groups out of need; others because they believe in the idea of a low-waste lifestyle; and others simply like the idea of a barter system rather than a cash economy.

Almost every area of the city is represented by a Buy Nothing group. Most have about 100 members each, though there are a few larger groups, like the Buy Nothing Denver/Boulder Facebook group—4,520 members, one of the largest in the state. Denver alone has 12 groups listed on the Buy Nothing Project website, with several for both metro and rural areas of Colorado. 

In the current state of things, most of the groups have changed their guidelines to ensure social distancing guidelines are met, which limits what can be exchanged and not. The requests posted in groups are also more geared towards the necessities of late; although, in normal times, things like rides, kayaks, bikes, furniture, advice, and many personal and home services are also included. 

A new book, The Buy Nothing, Get Everything Plan: Discover the Joy of Spending Less, Sharing More, and Living Generously, written by the founders of the Buy Nothing Project, Liesl Clark and Rebecca Rockefeller, came out in April 2020 and delves deeper into the movement and concept of local and hyper-local gift economies.

Have you ever posted or gotten anything from a Buy Nothing group? How do you feel about the social movement of living freely? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.