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Living Free

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Nydia Han
More: Bio, 6abc.com News Team

October 26, 2007 (WPVI) -- If you're looking for a way to cut your living costs you might be interested in meeting a local man who's taken the art of "living free" to a whole new level.

Some people will find Chris Harne inspiring others may think he's a little out there. He just started to work as a driver for 1-800-GOT-JUNK, a company that will pick up your old stuff for a fee, an appropriate job considering Chris has been picking up and using people's junk in his personal life for years.

Right now the 25-year-old lives with his parents in West Chester but in a few weeks he'll call a truck home.

"My goal is to live as cheaply as possible."

Chris has been routinely cutting his living costs for the last 6 years just by living off other people's junk.

"What they throw away is actually still good though it might not be the most aesthetically pleasing thing, it's still functional," said Chris.

Chris is now taking his unique way of life to a whole new level.

"This is a used U-haul truck."

He's converting the 17-foot space into his permanent residence!

"It's going to look like an average apartment in here."

A camping stove attached to a propane tank will provide the fuel for his kitchen. He'll equip the truck with a composting toilet and over the cab of the truck will be a bunk style bed.

"It's going to look like possibly like the sleeping area in a train car."

Chris's primary mode of transportation is a recycled bike. His couch and dresser are both discards. Even his only decoration was found at a dump.

Chris is obviously an extreme example of "living free". But there are more moderate things you can do to head in that direction and all the information is free at your fingertips. If you don't have a computer you can use one at no cost at your local library or community center.

Check out freecycle.org to find out what people in your area are offering for free. We found size small clothing in zip code 19144, books and a grill in 19149, a free refrigerator in Mt. Airy and a free box spring in Exton.

On Craig's List we found a free dishwasher in Villanova, a free piano in Delaware County and a free couch and loveseat in Manayunk.

Cash4Books.net will send you a check for those unwanted books lying around house. And Freeheadset.org does exactly what it says, gives out free headsets for your cell phone.

As for our friend Chris he hopes to cut his bills down to just under $200 a month. But he said roughing it doesn't mean you can't stay connected.

"I do have a cell phone and I also have a laptop."

He'll have all the comforts of home.

Also websites like TotallyFreeStuff.com will direct you to free stuff, including free samples offered by manufacturers. Beware, though, in many cases, you will have to fill out a survey or agree to receive advertising or other solicitations.

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