Or maybe you like leaving reviews to help future customers.

But reviews aren’t just for other consumers. Companies take your feedback seriously and use customer feedback to improve their products. Some will even pay their customers to leave candid feedback about their products, while others provide free product samples in exchange for reviews.

If you want to make a few extra dollars writing reviews for money — be it for movies, restaurants, or something else entirely — this list of resources is a great way to accomplish exactly that. 

10 Places to Write Reviews for Money

It can be difficult to convince a company to pay you directly for reviews. Most companies who choose to do so generally work through an intermediary. There are plenty of websites and services that you can sign up for if you want to get paid to write reviews.

1. LifePoints

LifePoints is a website that pays users to complete surveys. Some of these surveys will be about the products that you’ve bought. Others will be about more general topics.

For each survey that you complete, you’ll earn LifePoints. Some surveys will ask you for demographic information and may disqualify you if enough responses from your demographic have been received. If this happens, you’ll still earn a few LifePoints for your time.

Most surveys take about fifteen minutes to finish, but some are much shorter or much longer. Usually, longer surveys will offer more LifePoints.

You can redeem LifePoints for rewards. Redemption options include gift cards, charitable donations, and cash deposits to your PayPal account.

Related: LifePoints Review: Should You Become a Free Member?

2. InboxDollars

InboxDollars pays its customer for a variety of tasks, including:

• Taking paid surveys
• Watching videos
• Playing games
• Shopping online
• Reading emails

Opportunities to complete surveys and other tasks are emailed directly to you. You’ll earn cash rather than points, and InboxDollars has paid its customers more than $56 million since 2000.

Related: InboxDollars Review: Is it Legit, and How Much Can You Earn?

3. American Consumer Opinion

American Consumer Opinion is another survey-taking site that pays you to share your opinions with companies. The site has paid out more than $30 million to its 7 million members.

Each survey you take rewards you with points. You can redeem points for cash through PayPal, sweepstakes entries, or charitable donations, letting you choose how you want to be rewarded.

4. Start a Review Blog

If you don’t want to deal with another website’s requirements to get paid for reviews, consider starting your own review blog. While it can be difficult, especially in the beginning, it’s a good strategy for making money writing reviews.

Websites like Wirecutter have grown to have millions of readers each month because of their high-quality reviews. With a review website, you can make money with advertising or by working with a service like Amazon Affiliates that allows you to earn a commission when someone makes a purchase based on your review.

Related: How to Start a Profitable Blog (Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners)

5. UserTesting

UserTesting connects tech companies to regular people who want to help them test their websites and apps.

Companies will provide you with a link to their site or app and a set of tasks they’d like you to accomplish. An online retailer, for example, might ask you to go through the process of buying a shirt.

To start an assignment, you’ll need a microphone. While you’re going through your tasks, UserTesting will record your screen and anything you say. You should speak your thoughts clearly and out loud so that the people reviewing your recordings can understand your thought process and update the website accordingly.

You’ll be paid $10 through PayPal for every 20-minute recording you complete.

6. Review Stream

At Review Stream, you’re paid based on what other consumers think about your reviews. This means that it pays to be completely candid and to provide as much detail as possible.

You can review almost anything on the site — products, movies, and books are all fair game. If Review Stream accepts your submitted review, you’ll earn a small payment. Once your review is posted, other users can vote on whether the review is helpful or not. You’ll earn ten cents per helpful vote that you receive. You can also earn ten cents for each answer you provide to other consumers’ questions.

Payment is made through PayPal. The minimum balance to cash out varies based on how much you made for the first review you sold in each payment cycle. The minimum will be ten times the value of the first review you sold, with a minimum of $100. So, if your first review sold for $2 or $10, the minimum is $100. If it sold for $16, the minimum is $160.

Related: 11 Ways to Get Paid to Read Books In Your Spare Time

7. YouTube BrandConnect

YouTube BrandConnect is an invite-only service that connects YouTube creators to brands that want to show their products to a wider audience.

This service is relatively hands-off, connecting you to companies to pitch, but you get to decide how you want to feature products and you can set your own rates. Once you sign up for the service, you’ll be able to see all of the sponsors looking to work with YouTubers. The site advertises nearly 500 companies that pay people to advertise their goods and services.

In exchange for connecting you with brands, YouTube BrandConnect takes a 10% service fee. There are no sign-up or other fees, so you only pay the fees when you get paid. YouTube BrandConnect pays through PayPal or check.

8. Influence Central

Influence Central is another site that connects influencers to brands who want to showcase their products to consumers. You’ll get paid to write reviews and post them directly on your blog, website, or social media accounts.

The pay for each review varies. Some companies will pay you more than others, but this can be a good way to leverage your influence and provide honest reviews to your followers.

9. Tryazon

If you want to get paid to test products, Tryazon is the website for you. After you sign up, you’ll be able to view a list of available TryaBox and Party opportunities.

For a TryaBox opportunity, a company will send you a single product or item for you to test. If you apply for a Party and Tryazon selects your application, the company will send a box filled with products, party favors, and the like, free of charge. You can host a party with friends, family, and colleagues and everyone gets the chance to try the product.

Once you’re done, your free to share your feedback with the manufacturer, post about the party on your blog or social media, and tell your friends about the things you tried.

10. Write Reviews for Clients

To find possible clients, you can do an online search for websites that focus on product and service reviews. Then, pitch your review writing services to them directly. You will need to have a portfolio and a drive to pitch multiple clients before landing your first gig. Make sure your final submissions to clients are amazing, because it may lead to steady work writing more reviews in the future.

Related: 18 Legit Online Jobs for College Students

Can You Get Paid to Write Reviews for Google and Amazon?

Google and Amazon are two of the most trusted websites on the internet when it comes to reviews. That means that companies are willing to do a lot to make sure their Amazon and Google reviews are good.

You can get paid to write reviews on these websites. However, although providing compensation for a review is allowed, providing compensation with the requirement that you leave a good review violates both websites’ Terms of Service. So if this type of opportunity is presented to you, make sure you think about whether or not you should take it.

For example, your local pizza shop is welcome to give you a free slice when you show that you left a review, but it can’t require that you leave a five-star review on Google. It has to extend the offer to anyone who leaves a review.

3 Tips to Make the Most with Paid Reviews

The truth is that you won’t make a huge amount of money for writing reviews, but it can be a good way to add some extra cash to your wallet. Here are the best ways to make money writing reviews.

Do it in your spare time.

Turn some of your unproductive spare time into productive time by writing reviews. If you commute by bus or train, write a review or two on each trip. After work, rather than focusing on a Netflix show you’ve seen a dozen times, put it on in the background while you write a review.

Because most reviews are short and easy to write, they’re a great way to fill small chunks of time.

Review things you already use.

You’re most familiar with products that you use on a regular basis, so start by reviewing those items.  Your familiarity with them, especially if you’re a long-term user of a specific product, will help you make high-quality reviews that other consumers can use.

Write high-quality reviews.

To make sure your reviews are approved by the company paying you and appreciated by other consumers, take the time to make the reviews as good as they can be. That means checking your spelling and grammar, including photos, and providing specific details about each product.

Are Paid Review Sites Worth Your Time?

Paid review sites are a good way to earn extra cash, but they won’t give you a full-time work from home income.

The best sites will pay a reasonable wage. For example, UserTesting can pay as much as $30 an hour, but you won’t be able to fill a full workweek with the available opportunities. You’re more likely to earn $5 – $10 an hour when writing reviews.

When getting paid to write reviews, be on the lookout for online scams. The most common scams are websites that force you to pay a fee before you can view opportunities to get paid. The companies organizing these opportunities should be earning a commission from the companies that provide the products or surveys, so if you find a company asking reviewers to pay a fee, walk away. That is a major red flag that something is not legit.

You Can Get Paid to Write More Than Reviews

Writing reviews online might be good for pocket money, but you won’t earn a full-time income from it. However, reviews aren’t the only way to make money from online writing.

If you enjoy writing, you may want to try to pick up freelance writing gigs. It can be a good way to earn some money in your spare time and to hone your writing skills. Some clients will pay hundreds of dollars for a single article and many people make a full-time living from freelance writing.

Even people who don’t write can earn a great income online by working as virtual assistants, editors, transcriptionists, or artists. The internet makes it easy to work with and get paid by people across the globe. It’s up to you to showcase your skills and find the people who need your services.

The post 10 Legit Ways to Get Paid to Write Reviews (Movies, Restaurants, and More) appeared first on DollarSprout.

I know that I’m a heavy phone user, but even I was surprised to find that I typically use my phone for an average of five and a half hours a day. That’s almost like having a full-time job of looking at a phone.

Even if you don’t use your phone for hours a day, they’ve become essential tools for modern life.

Cell phones are powerful tools, but they don’t come cheap. The latest smartphones can cost $1,000 or more. On top of that, there’s the expensive monthly bill, which can run into the hundreds of dollars for a family.

Not everyone has that much money to spend, and not everyone needs the latest gadget. Sometimes, you just need a phone that works. Here are some ways to get a free or cheap cell phone and cell phone service.

8 Places to Get a Free Cell Phone

While you won’t be able to get the latest iPhone for free, if you need some help getting access to a cell phone, these services can help.

1. Lifeline Support

Lifeline Support is a government-funded program that helps to reduce the cost of cell phones for people who qualify. If you qualify, you’ll receive a subsidy of at least $9.25 each month toward your cell phone bill and a free Android smartphone to use.

You can qualify for this program by meeting any of the following requirements:

• Earn less than 135% of the federal poverty amount each year. For residents of the 48 contiguous states, that amount is $16,862 for a household of one person.
• Participate in one of the following programs:

• • SNAP (formerly known as food stamps)
  • Medicaid
  • Supplemental Security Income
  • Federal Public Housing Assistance
  • Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
  • Tribal Programs (for residents of federally-recognized Tribal lands)

Only one person per household can receive the subsidy, even if there are multiple qualifying persons.

If you have a phone plan that is less than $9.25, the subsidy will cover the full cost.

2. Assurance Wireless

Assurance Wireless is part of the Lifeline Assistance program, and you can use this plan if you qualify for Lifeline Assistance. This plan will get you unlimited talk and text, as well as 2GB of data each month, free of charge. Customers who use Assurance Wireless can also get a free Android phone.

If you want to add additional data to your plan, you can sign up for a monthly plan or pay for the data as you use it.

3. SafeLink Wireless

SafeLink Wireless is another provider that partners with the Lifeline Assistance program. You can bring your own phone to use with the service or get a free Android device when you sign up.

If you qualify for Lifeline Assistance, you qualify for free service from SafeLink. The plans available will vary with your location.

For example, in Massachusetts, the voice-focused plan offers 1,000 minutes and 1 GB of data each month. The data-focused plan offers 350 talking minutes and 2 GB of data. However, in California you get unlimited voice and 3 GB of data. If you use your own phone you get 4 GB of data.

If you bring your own phone to connect rather than getting one from the program, you get a bonus of 500 MB of data each month

4. Craigslist

If you don’t qualify for a free Lifeline cell phone or prefer to use another option, there are plenty of other choices available. Although you probably won’t get the latest phone model, you can probably find something that works.

Start by looking at your local Craigslist to see if anyone is holding a yard sale or specifically looking to get rid of an old phone. Often, people on Craigslist will want you to pay for the phone, but you can always ask if they’d be willing to let the phone go for free. They may be willing to give it to you, especially if the phone is damaged or not working. This gives you the chance to get a free phone and to learn some basic phone repair strategies.

When you make a purchase online, make sure you follow basic internet safety rules when you’re going to meet with the seller.

Related: 13 Sites Like Craigslist to Buy and Sell Used Items

5. OfferUp

OfferUp is an online marketplace that works a lot like Craigslist. Most people who post things on the site are expecting payment, but some people will post things they’re giving away.

You can always negotiate with people to see if they’re willing to give the phone away for free, which can work if the phone has been available for a while with no takers.

6. NextDoor

NextDoor is a social network that connects people who live in the same neighborhood, helping them connect, barter, trade, and learn about local events.

As with other online communities, people will post things they’re trying to sell or give away. Keep an eye out for people who are trying to get rid of an old cell phone and you might get lucky.

7. Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace is Facebook’s place to sell or trade items. You can view posts from your friends and from people who live in your area. If you see a phone up for grabs, reach out to the poster to see if you can pick it up for free.

8. Buy Nothing Groups

A Buy Nothing Group is a local community that is built around the idea of freely sharing the things and skills that you have with your neighbors. The idea is that rather than bartering or trading, people will offer the things they don’t need to others. In return, people who need things can get them without having to spend money.

This is a great place to look for a free phone. It might be older or have some cracks in the screen, but it’s still a viable option if you need a phone.

Related: How to Get Free Stuff Online

Places That Offer Free Phones When You Switch or Add a Line

If you need a new phone, many carriers offer a brand new phone when you sign a contract with them. These won’t be the newest models, but they’ll be sufficient for most things.

Sprint

Sprint offers customers the chance to get a free phone if you lease one, making it a good deal for couples who want to get on the same phone plan. If you sign up for Sprint Flex and lease an LG V30+ for 18 months, Sprint will give you a second LG V30+ free of charge.

Verizon

When you switch to Verizon or add a new line with a 24-month contract, Verizon will give you your choice of an Alcatel AVALON V, Samsung Galaxy A10e, or Motorola Moto E6 for free.

T-Mobile

T-Mobile will give you a free REVVLRY, Samsung Galaxy A10, or Moto G Power when you commit to a T-Mobile plan for 24 months. If you already have a phone, you can trade it in for a discount on a new iPhone or Android.

AT&T

AT&T also offers a buy one get one free deal on select smartphones, including the iPhone 10 and Samsung Galaxy Note10. To be eligible you have to commit to a 24-, 30-, or 36-month plan.

Where to Get Cheap (or Free) Cell Phone Service

Many cell phone providers offer a cheap monthly plan that gives you the service that you need.

FreedomPop

FreedomPop is a free phone service provider that anyone can use. You don’t have to meet any eligibility requirements to sign up. All you need is a cell phone, though you can purchase one at a discount from FreedomPop.

The free plan offered by the company comes with 200 minutes of voice, 500 texts, and 500 MB of data. If you want to upgrade to unlimited talk and text, you can pay $11 a month. To get unlimited talk and text plus 1 GB of data, the cost is $20 a month.

Republic Wireless

Republic Wireless offers unlimited talk and text for just $15 and data at a rate of $5 per GB. You can change your plan at any time, but you’ll be billed for the full plan even if you don’t use all the data.

Google Fi

Google Fi offers two plans: Flexible and Unlimited.

The Flexible plan charges $20 for unlimited talk and text and $1 per 100 MB that you use. You don’t have to guess at your usage and choose a data amount; you’re only charged for what you use. If you use more than 6 GB in a month, your bill will be capped at $80, even if you use more data.

The Unlimited plan charges $45 – $70 per person, per month for unlimited talk, text, and data. It also comes with 100 GB of cloud storage for each member.

Ting

Ting charges a base rate of $6 per line per month. You can then choose the number of minutes, texts, and MB of data to add to the plan letting you customize your plan, and its price, to your usage patterns.

TracFone

TracFone offers unlimited talk and text plus 1 GB of data for $20 per month. You can add up to 2 GB of extra data for $5 per GB. Any unused data will roll over from month to month.

T-Mobile

T-Mobile’s essentials plan offers unlimited talk, text, and data for $60, but you can save a huge amount by putting multiple people on your contract. For example, if there are four people on your contract, you’ll save $30 per person, making this a great deal, especially for heavy data users.

CellNUVO

CellNUVO is a phone provider that lets you play games and accomplish tasks to earn points. You can then use those points to pay your monthly bill. If you’re able to earn enough points, you can cover your entire bill, including the purchase cost for your phone.

That means you can get a new phone and phone service free of charge.

To get started you have to download the CellNUVO app. Once you’ve downloaded the app, you can watch advertisements and complete offers, such as downloading specific apps, to earn points. Points can be redeemed for talk time, texts, data, or as a credit on the monthly payment for purchasing your phone.

Earning points can be time-consuming, so you’ll want to make sure you only use your phone when you need it. That can help you conserve points, which is important because it’s often time-consuming to work to earn enough points to obtain a free phone. You want to make sure you’re using your time wisely and reaping the benefits, and it’s often difficult to balance the two.

Related: 13 Companies That Pay You for Your Data

You Don’t Have to Spend Hundreds on a New Phone

Cell phones are expensive, but they’re an essential part of daily life. Even if you don’t plan to use yours for anything but phone calls or texts, having one can offer some peace of mind.

Taking advantage of an opportunity to get a free phone means you can get an essential tool without paying a premium price.

The post 8 Places to Get a Free Cell Phone (and Service) appeared first on DollarSprout.

If you’re renting a home or apartment in an expensive market like Boston, New York, or San Francisco, you might need to provide as much as four months’ worth of rent before you move in. And if you’re buying a home, you’ll have to factor in things like closing costs and realtor fees.

Furnishing your home adds more cost to the process. When I moved out of the college dorms and into my own apartment, I ordered all my furniture from Amazon and had it delivered to my door.

It was amazingly convenient, but it cost me almost a month’s rent. I could have saved a lot if I had gotten a bit more creative and sought out some free furniture.

The Best Places for Finding Free Furniture

Saving money with free furniture is like finding free money. And who doesn’t love that? There are lots of ways to furnish your home for free, whether through finding discarded furniture or repurposing what you already own.

1. Craigslist

Craigslist is one of the most popular ways to find furniture online. Anyone can post an ad selling used furniture. Typically, you’ll find ads from people moving or cleaning out their homes, and the prices are reasonable. Sometimes, you’ll even find offers for free furniture.

If you’re going to take advantage of Craigslist to get free furniture, be prepared to do the heavy lifting yourself. You’ll probably have to pick up the items and load them into your car. Make sure you have access to a vehicle large enough to hold them all before responding to the ad.

Finally, follow basic internet safety rules. Go with a friend. If you can’t, let someone know where you’re going and make plans to check in with them at a specific time after picking up the furniture. Always try to meet during the day, in public if possible. If something about the post or the poster seems off, listen to your gut.

Related: How to Sell on Craigslist (And 6 Tips for Success)

2. Facebook Marketplace

Facebook operates a marketplace for its users that functions very similarly to Craigslist. Users advertise things they’re selling or giving away, and many people share posts offering free furniture before they move or redecorate.

As with Craigslist, be prepared to pick up anything you see that appeals to you. Also, be sure to follow good internet safety practices.

3. Freecycle

Freecycle.org is a website designed for people looking to give away their old things to make sure that they don’t go to waste.

You can search the Freecycle site to find a group near you. If you have one, select it on the site and you’ll see listings from people looking to get rid of everything from cleaning supplies to old clothes to furniture.

If you don’t see what you’re looking for, you can create a post detailing the items you want. Freecyclers who have those things can respond to your post and from there, you can make the necessary arrangements to pick them up.

Related: 27 Best Selling Apps to Sell Stuff Online (and Locally)

4. Furniture banks

Many areas have charities that operate furniture banks. These programs accept donations of used furniture in good condition. Many will also take cash donations and use those to buy needed furniture and supplies.

If you’re in a difficult situation, a local furniture bank may be able to assist you with getting the things you need for your home.

In many areas, you’ll also find charities that provide cribs and beds for children. For example, the A Bed for Every Child Initiative in Massachusetts provides beds to children in low-income families.

5. Ask friends and family

If you need furniture, let people know. Your friends and family might have some they don’t need or they’re looking to get rid of. If you can pick up the furniture, it will save them the hassle of having to throw it out or call someone to haul it away, making it a win-win for both of you.

Social media and cell phones make it easy to let a lot of people know when you’re on the hunt for furniture. Post on your Facebook, Twitter, or other social media platforms, and text or email your friends. As long as you aren’t overbearing or demanding with your requests, few people will mind letting you know if they have furniture that you’re welcome to take.

6. Dumpster diving

Or checking your neighbor’s trash.

As the saying goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Don’t be afraid to take furniture that other people are throwing out, as long as it looks like something that you could use in your home.

Different jurisdictions have different laws about taking other people’s garbage, so look into your area’s regulations before you go dumpster diving. Generally speaking, if a neighbor has dragged an old couch or table to the curb, it’s fair game. Still, you might want to ask before you take it. Be friendly and let your neighbor know what you’re up to.

Safety is important when trying to claim furniture that has been thrown away. There could be a very good reason that the furniture is being discarded. Before you bring it into your home make sure that whatever you’re taking is free from bed bugs, insects, or animals.

If it’s something with moving parts, like a recliner, make sure that it’s functional, or at a minimum, doesn’t feel unsafe. Also check the furniture for stains, odd smells, or anything else that could explain why it’s being thrown out.

7. Local “buy nothing” groups

The Buy Nothing Project is a network of local community groups built around the idea of freely sharing with their neighbors. People who have things they want to get rid of will post them on their local Buy Nothing group and other members are free to claim them. Those who are looking for things can also post their requests.

Unlike other marketplaces where people barter, trade, or ask for money, the Buy Nothing project requires that everything is given away for free. The idea is the members will take what they need and give away what they can so that all can benefit.

If you use a Buy Nothing group to get furniture and want to pay it forward, you can gift things that you no longer need. Buy Nothing groups also allow gifts of talent or time, giving you many ways that you can help others in your community.

8. Yard sales

Yard sales are a great way to get cheap or free furniture.

If you see a piece of furniture out for sale, check the price and ask the seller if they’re willing to negotiate. If they are, you can wind up with a good deal.

Heading to a yard sale later in the day, closer to its ending time, might mean you’ll find even better deals on furniture, especially if it’s large or bulky.  If no one else seems interested, offer to take it off the seller’s hands for free. If they just want to get rid of it, you might get lucky.

Remember that you’re at a yard sale, which implies that the seller wants to be paid for their items. Don’t be angry if the seller refuses your offer. Simply thank them for their time and move on.

9. College campuses on move-out day

If you live in a college town, move out day is the perfect time to find free furniture. Typically, the sidewalks are covered with discarded furniture that was too much of a hassle for the students to bring with them. This is a great opportunity to find a free couch, dresser, or some chairs. And, a lot of the time, the furniture is almost brand new.

Take a drive around the areas with a heavy student population to scope out the furniture that’s been left on the curb. If you see something you like, pull over and toss it in the back of your car. Just make sure that the furniture is being discarded and isn’t waiting on the curb to be packed into a moving truck. You don’t want to accidentally steal something that you thought was trash.

As with any furniture that is destined for the garbage dump, check that it’s still in good condition before you bring it home. That means inspecting it for bed bugs and other animals, stains, odd smells, functionality, and safety.

10. Nextdoor

Nextdoor is a social networking website designed to help people communicate with the people in their neighborhoods. It can be a good site to get in touch with the local community, learn about events nearby, and of course, barter, trade, give, or get goods and services.

Like other online communities, people will post things that they’re trying to sell or give away for free. If someone posts about free furniture they’re getting rid of, let them know that you want to pick it up.

Since Nextdoor focuses on neighborhoods, you won’t have to travel far.

11. Upcycle your own furniture

One of the best sources of free furniture is the furniture you already own. All it takes is some creativity and a bit of elbow grease to turn your furniture into something new that you can use.

Do you have a new TV and an old bookcase? Break down the bookcase and turn it into a TV stand. Take some wooden crates and turn them into a storage solution. Add some table legs to a shipping pallet to make a patio table.

There are tons of resources online about how to upcycle furniture large and small. Websites like Upcycle That or Hipcycle are great sources of inspiration and how-to articles that can get you on the right path.

12. Thrift stores

Thrift stores are great places to pick up some furniture on the cheap. Stores accept donations or purchase old furniture and then put it up for sale.

Many charities will provide vouchers that can be used to purchase furniture at different retailers, including thrift stores. If you qualify for programs like this one in Great Falls, Montana, you might be able to get furniture that you need for free.

One perk of getting furniture from a thrift store is that the store has done a lot of the hard work for you. Generally, the furniture you find will be in usable condition and you won’t have to worry as much about bedbugs, stains, or strange smells. However, do your due diligence before choosing your furniture. If you select something that you later find out is faulty, you might not be able to return or exchange it.

13. Ask the previous tenant, homeowner, or landlord

Before you move in, reach out to the previous occupant of the home, or the landlord if you’re renting. You might be able to get a good deal by purchasing furniture from the people who are moving out. In some cases, they might be willing to give it away for free to avoid the hassle of packing and moving it.

The worst that can happen is that they’ll say no, so it doesn’t hurt to ask.

Exercise Caution and Meet in Public

The reality of free furniture is that the person giving it away is doing so for a reason. Don’t go into the process expecting to get an eight-piece matching set in perfect condition. You might find a 40-year-old sofa that doesn’t fit with the rest of your room décor at all, a dinged-up dining table, or a couch that smells like stale cigarettes.

Whatever quirks the furniture has, it’s up to you to decide if it belongs in your home. If the furniture is in usable condition and doesn’t seem to be a safety hazard, you’re probably fine to take it.

When browsing internet listings, you can save a lot of time by learning to read between the lines. Use a discerning eye when looking at the pictures the poster provides. Do your best to decide whether there’s a chance you’ll want the furniture before you drive all the way to see it in person.

And don’t forget about your personal safety. Even if you find the perfect piece of furniture from someone who seems legit, follow common-sense precautions. Take a friend with you to look at or pick up the furniture, or let someone know where and when you’re going. Make in-person transactions during the day and in public whenever possible.

Free furniture isn’t worth compromising your well-being.

Related: 20 Websites That Give Away Free Stuff Online

The post 13 Places to Get Free Furniture for Your Home appeared first on DollarSprout.