How do you get cash items for free

You can obtain gaia cash or gold against Terms of Service for Gaia Online. This is not recommended unless your alright with moderators permanently freezing your account.
If you would like to EARN cash items and save yourself real money there are several ways to do it:

1. Gaia has promotional/affiliate offers you can do to earn gold and or gaia cash
2. If you have artistic or technical talents open a mini shop and sell your works in turn for said items.
3. Ask for Gaia cash around the holidays or your birthday, maybe you'll luck out.