10 Online Communities That Will Save You Time and Money

The sole purpose of most online communities which are based on social networking model is to be of use to its members. Even so, a large number of them escapes this reasoning. There are useful networks, and then there are useful networks.

Well! Here comes our Top 10 List of the most useful communities on the net today.

1. Yedda

   Yedda’s motto is: “Connecting people looking for knowledge with people who have the knowledge.” It’s that simple. This is a place to share, explore and discover knowledge – a place where you can connect with people of interests similar to yours. Based on your preferences, you see those questions and answers that are likely to be of interest to you. The dynamic, self-evolving system adapts itself to the user, so the more you use Yedda, the better results you are likely to get.
   
   
   

   Visit Yedda

2. Swapaskill

   This is an online community where people swap skills, favors, and even items. Legal advice for home repairs, guitar lessons for webpage design, second hand car for home decoration, anything goes.

   Visit SwapaSkill

3. UnltdWorld

   Based on the same principles of exchanging skills and knowledge, but on a more professional level as it is focused on social entrepreneurs. Here you can connect with other professionals to help your business grow, get advice and exchange business favors.

   Visit UnltdWorld

4. Live Mocha

   This is an online platform for learning foreign languages, integrated  with a global community of language learners. Currently it supports six popular languages – English, Spanish, French, Hindi, German, and Mandarin Chinese.

   Visit Live Mocha

5. Couch Surfing

   CouchSurfing is an international network that connects travelers with locals in over 230 countries and territories around the world. This is a revolutionary concept in low-budget accommodation:  members open the door of their home to accommodate a traveller, usually on the living room sofa. But more than this, people come together for cultural exchange, friendship, and learning experiences. Today, over a million people who might otherwise never meet are able to share hospitality and cultural understanding.

   Visit CouchSurfing

6. Do My Stuff

   Yet another innovative concept based on outsourcing your chores.  It works like this: you post your task (make a website, build a tree house, collect groceries, etc.), then let the others bid on your chores. Finally you select “the assistant” who gets your stuff done. Posting and bidding for tasks are free. A 7-10% charge is taken out of the winning bid’s award once the task is satisfactorily completed. Unlike other bidding sites, all transactions are safe for both employer and bidder using DoMyStuff.com’s unique escrow service.

   Visit DoMyStuff

7. Swap Style

   SwapStyle is the best kept fashion secret for women around the world. It’s an interactive fashion website where members can swap, rather than buy, unlimited designer clothes, accessories, cosmetics, shoes, and other fashion items with each other.

   Visit SwapStyle

8. PaperbackSwap

   There are many book exchange websites, but PaperbackSwap is definitely the biggest one, and not limited only to paperbacks. Here you can trade hardbacks, audio books, textbooks, etc. Equally useful are the two sister sites, SwapaCD and SwapaDVD.

   Visit PaperbackSwap
   Visit SwapaCD
   Visit SwapaDVD

9. Lala

   If you are a great music lover, Lala can save you a lot of money. It is an innovative concept that has revolutionized digital music. Similar to iTunes, but based entirely on the web, Lala allows users to build their own  music collection. You can listen to songs in full before you buy, get unlimited plays of a song on the web for 10 cents, or the MP3 download for 79 cents more. All the MP3s are DRM-free, compatible with iTunes and Windows Media Player.

   Visit Lala

10. The Freecycle Network™

    The Freecycle Network has almost 7 million members across the globe. It’s a network of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. The mission of Freecycle Network is to build a worldwide gifting movement that reduces waste, saves precious resources & eases the burden on landfills. Impressive, really.

    Visit The Freecycle Network™

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