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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Sarah Butler

Buy now, don’t pay later: how UK families are turning to freebies

United Kingdom Gumtree Facebook Marketplace Olio Freecycle Hannah Rouch Inflation
The Free Shop, run by Freegle's Cat Fletcher (green jumper) in Brighton's Open Market.
The Free Shop, run by Freegle's Cat Fletcher (front) in Brighton's Open Market. Photograph: Andrew Hasson/The Guardian

There’s a bike in Woking, Christmas cards in Bristol and a sofabed and stepladder available in Camden, north London.

Can you really get something for nothing? Thousands of people have realised you can with the trend for trading in free stuff now a mainstay of social media.

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