Today I was at my state's Organic Farmers Conference. I attended a talk on winter sowing- its a technique to start your seeds outside. I spend a lot of money on seeds, and wasn't ready to risk them trying out something new to me, in case I screw it up. And then the speaker mentioned that a local university, partners with Master Gardeners and has a free seed program. One of the area discounters (Ocean State Job Lot for you New Englanders) donates last year's unsold seeds to this program, and you just pay for postage (20 cents per pack). Ocean State gets good PR, the seeds get a new home. Win/win.
Now I just need to start collecting milk jugs and other containers to try out this technique!