8 Creative Ways I Shop Outside the System (and Still Get What I Need For Free or Cheaply)

Creative ways to get things for free or cheap, side-step the system and not rely on big retailers. Real-life tips to save, swap, and source what you need.

Well, it’s not news to say that the cost of living has skyrocketed in the last few years.

And there doesn’t seem to be a break in the storm clouds just yet. 

Frugal living isn’t a solution to the problem – you can’t out-frugal wage stagnation and global shit-storms.

(I don’t usually swear on this blog – real life is a different matter – but I honestly can’t think of a better word that doesn’t include worse swear words to describe what has been going on.)

So while frugal living isn’t a solution, it does help us not-billionaires weather the storm. 

And beneath the malstrom, there’s a quieter alternative to big-box solutions. An undercurrent of people helping people. An alternate economy. 

It’s not always easy to get what you need this way – second-hand shopping or local markets can be hit and miss. But there’s something incredibly hopeful about sidestepping the system, even just a little bit.

And just to be clear, I don’t shop second-hand or at farmer’s markets religiously. I still shop at Woolies, Target and Bunnings like everyone else. And I do enjoy having Amazon boxes turn up at my door. 

It’s a legit internal tension – questioning the ethics of a broken system while enjoying the convenience. I know. 

But small steps are better than no steps, and mixing in alternatives helps us spend less, waste less, support local (as best we can) and feel more connected to community in the process.

1. Buy Direct from the Producer (Farmer’s Markets and Beyond)

Want fresh produce grown closer to home, often at a better price than the supermarket? Why not try your local farmer’s market or green grocer?

I volunteer at our local farmer’s market, so I’ve gotten to know many of the sellers over the past few years – and their produce. From freshly baked sourdough bread and homemade jams and chutneys to fresh fruit and vegetables, it’s a great place to pick up your weekly groceries while getting to know the sellers.

Not to mention that our market has a huge number of ‘casual’ stall holders selling their stuff second-hand. So it’s a mix of groceries and a giant flea market.

And of course, you can pick up things you can’t always get in the regular supermarket like asian herbs and Durians (gotta try it at least once…once was enough for me).

Quick tips for market shopping:

• Take cash and your own bags or a trolley. It helps to have smaller denominations, not just a $50 bill. A bunch of people with fifties makes it hard for sellers to make change.
• Do a walk-around before buying to compare prices and quality.
• Make a meal plan loosely so you can grab bargains without wasting anything. If you like planning ahead, it helps to know what’s in season in your area. Or you can plan your week’s meals with what you’ve picked up from the market.
• Don’t just look for produce — we’ve picked up plants, bread, handmade soap, clothes, and second-hand books too.

Don’t have a local farmer’s market to visit? Local green grocers can be a great alternative. We have several where we live that are way cheaper than the supermarket.

It’s not as convenient as home delivery (which I love), but they can save a ton. One of our local grocers even has its own local fields and grows some of the produce it sells!

And if you’re ever out for a weekend drive, keep an eye out for farm gates. Eggs, honey, jams, pumpkins — often cheaper, fresher, and more sustainable.

2. Shop Second-Hand and Save

This one’s no secret, but it always feels like a win when you find what you need.

According to a survey by Savers, 86% of Australians shop second-hand, driven by the younger generations, especially when it comes to fashion. This certainly tracks in our household too.

An op-shop opened up just down the road from us; it’s basically our second home. My 12-year-old daughter loves buying clothes there because she can get a shirt for $3. She’s filling her wardrobe up with her own pocket money with stuff she likes for a fraction of the cost of new. It’s sustainable, too.

While I’ve never been much of a clothes shopper, I like buying homewares from the opshop. And books. And craft stuff. When the kids were young, I would find puzzles and toys there, too.

Places to buy second-hand goods include:

• Op-shops/charity stores/vintage stores
• Facebook Marketplace
• Gumtree
• Garage sales (check out the annual Aussie garage sale trail)
• eBay and Etsy

Yes, it takes more effort than walking into Kmart. But honestly? Some of our best finds have come this way. And there’s something satisfying about the hunt.

Tip: Check out your local tip shop, too!

Looking for tips on shopping second-hand? Here are some articles from the blog:

3. Free Stuff: Curbside Gold and Online Freebies

It sounds a bit dodgy, but our house is full of stuff we’ve picked up off the side of the road and, ahem, out of bins for free.

We don’t have curbside council cleanup where I live in Queensland, but that doesn’t stop people from sticking their stuff out on the curb in the hope someone wants it (people usually do). Love curbside clean up and driving past other people’s junk looking for treasure.

A giant ceramic pot. A framed Ken Duncan print. A doll’s house. A comfy office chair. These are just some of the things we’ve picked up off the side of the road or out of the bin.

(Full disclosure: We live in a townhouse complex, and neighbours sometimes dump stuff in the bin enclosure, and we liberate it from the trash – I haven’t yet gone actual dumpster diving.)

My son’s gaming computer is one DH got for free. A work colleague was throwing it out because it was broken. DH replaced the motherboard, which was not free but way cheaper than a new computer.

Besides finding things off the side of the road, there are many other places to find free stuff, such as:

• Facebook groups
• Gumtree
• Other websites like Ziilch, Trash Nothing, Freecycle
• Your local library
• Dumpster diving/scavenging
• Free eBooks and digital resources

I’m not glorifying dumpster diving – people shouldn’t be forced between dumpster diving and not eating.

But…we, as a society, throw out so much usable stuff. Research shows that the retail sector wastes about 527 kilotonnes of food, 70% of which is still edible! If you can safely rescue it before it hits landfill? That’s a win-win for everyone.

Besides ‘stuff’, other things you can get for free include:

• Free wifi at your local shops (or computer usage at the library)
• free housing by house sitting
• free public transport in some cities (i.e. Melbourne city circle tram, Brisbane ferry)
• free clothing by having a clothes swap
• free reading
• free movies, magazines, music
• free entertainment
• free services provided by local councils or governments

You can also get ‘free’ stuff when you collect points through store loyalty programs, although, as you have to spend a lot of money first, I would consider this a bonus and not really free.

4. Barter and Swap

Bartering is alive and well, especially in local Facebook groups.

We’ve informally swapped with friends things like kids’ clothes, produce over the fence and services. My neighbour offered us a monthly beauty treatment in exchange for using our internet. 

There are formal platforms, too:

• SwapU
• Community Exchange
• Bartercard (more for small biz)
  

It doesn’t have to be 1:1, either. Sometimes, people just say, “I have this, does anyone want it?” and someone else jumps in with something useful in return. It can be more about connection than strict exchange rates.

5. Support Local Micro Businesses

There’s a growing resurgence in tiny businesses. People who specialise in just a few products or services and who bring a level of personalisation you don’t get from large businesses.

Maybe it’s a mum doing hairdressing from home. Or cake decorating. Someone repairing bikes in their garage. Or a small cottage industry selling handmade goods through Etsy.

You often have to search these businesses out. Or stumble upon them.

You can also find these micro businesses:

• At markets and fairs
• In local Facebook groups
• On Etsy or similar handmade platforms
• Through word-of-mouth

6. The Unofficial Market (aka Knowing a Guy)

You won’t find this one in a search engine.

It’s kinda like the black market, but in a *good* way.

We once got raw honey from a friend’s dad, who keeps bees. Another time, we had a neighbour with backyard chooks who sold eggs for pocket change. And years ago, my dad fixed lawnmowers for the cost of parts and a six-pack. If you know what I mean.

This kind of trading is casual, often cash or barter-based, and built on trust. It’s about who you know – networking matters.

Just keep in mind that if something goes wrong, you’re probably not covered. In other words, if a mate of your friend’s cousin does plumbing on your toilet for a case of beer, you don’t have any recourse if something goes wrong.

7. Grow (and DIY) What You Can

From veggie patches to homemade cleaning spray, making things yourself is a powerful way to (partially) sidestep the shops.

Even small things add up:

• Grow herbs in pots (or swap cuttings and seeds with a neighbour)
• Cut your own or your family’s hair (here’s a how-to)
• Mend clothes, fix furniture, make gifts.
• Do your own facial, take your own family photos
• Pave your yard and unblock your low
  

Live in the bush? You could add fishing, hunting, raising animals, and other self-sufficiency skills to your repertoire.

We live in a townhouse, so space is limited. But composting, planting in pots, and even just not buying stuff all add up.

8. Time Banks & Skill Swaps

This one’s still growing in Australia, and it’s completely new to me, but it’s such a smart idea.

In a time bank, you “deposit” your time by doing something helpful (like admin, photography, or gardening). In return, you can “withdraw” time from someone else in the network to help you.

Sites like Time Banking and local neighbourhood centres sometimes run these programs. If you’re in a regional town, check Facebook or local noticeboards too.

Even outside of formal systems, you can create your own version:

• Rotate dinner nights with friends
• Trade a massage for a haircut.
• Offer tutoring in exchange for a home-baked cake.

Bonus: Other Ways to Get What You Need for Free (That I Haven’t Tried)

There are plenty of other options for free stuff worth exploring:

• Tool libraries: Borrow tools instead of buying for one-off DIY jobs
• Repair Cafés: Free events where volunteers help fix your stuff
• Community fridges/pantries: Shared food hubs to reduce waste
• Free courses & trials: Ok, I’ve tried this one. You can try paid services before committing or, ahem, just rotate through the free trials.
• Plant swaps & seed libraries: Especially good for gardeners
  

These options will depend on where you live, but they’re all examples of how communities are creating their own ecosystems of care and exchange.

You don’t have to opt out of Woolies and Bunnings entirely (we don’t, but you can totally do so if that’s your thing!). But knowing there are other ways to meet your needs — ways that save money, reduce waste, and build community — can make all the difference.

Have you tried any of these? What’s your favourite alternative economy trick?

Let us know in the comments, or share your best frugal find. I’d love to hear what treasures you’ve scored!