Online freebies help battlers tackle costs July 2, 2013 - 8:06PM An opened tin of nutritional supplement, a packet of near-expired macaroni and a broken washing machine. They might not seem like much, but they're all being given away for free as online communities band together to tackle rising bills and cost of living pressures. Hundreds of pages have sprung up on social networking sites allowing people from across Australia to give away things they might otherwise consider throwing out. Toowoomba resident Lisa Kynaston, who administers several Facebook sites across Queensland, says she created her pages in the wake of the state's devastating floods in 2011. They were a hit at the time for people struggling to get back on their feet and have seen a resurgence recently amid rising cost of living pressures, she says. Small items like disposable nappies or baby formula are some of the most commonly advertised items. "Saving a single mother or low income family the cost of having to purchase those items for that week can give them up to an extra $50 in their pocket to pay another bill," Ms Kynaston told AAP. Many people are struggling to pay bills, especially with the recent hike in electricity prices. The average Queensland household's annual power bill is expected to rise by $268 to reach almost $1500 given a new pricing scheme that came into effect on July 1. Ms Kynaston fears cuts to government services and increased bill costs will see even greater need for pages like hers. She said those most in need appear to be from regional areas, where youth unemployment and teen pregnancies tend to be higher. Ms Kynaston said even the most seemingly insignificant items had value for some people. "It makes me happy just to read the posts and see the appreciation in the words of people that have been able to help or be helped," she said.