I learned early on that buying brewing equipment can be expensive. So I keep an eye out on Craigslist for people who are getting out of brewing and are selling off their entire collection of equipment. I purchase their equipment and part out about 75% of it. This usually covers the cost of what I paid. I sell the equipment at about 1/2 retail price, so other brewers get a great deal on equipment. Then I keep a few items for myself and upgrade my equipment for free.
In doing this I end up with lots of the little items brewers use (funnels, hydrometers, spoons, etc.) Whenever a new brewer comes to buy something from me, I almost always give them whatever they need of these smaller items. This helps them get started and it's lots of fun for me.
I also give away some bigger items to my friends who are brewers. I gave away a new Barley Crusher to one friend and a 60lb bucket of LME to another friend.
I love helping other people get equipment that they would normally not be able to afford!!
