Photo Credit: thephotoholic/freedigitalphotos.net
Guest Post: Karen
Dumpster Diving
You know there are a lot of negative connotations with dumpster diving and I know I definitely always had issues with this myself. As I’ve gotten older and as the US economy has gotten tougher I have learned to be more resourceful of course not only that but my husband has pleasantly surprised me over time with some amazing dumpster finds. This is a regular feature on my blog Lil’ Suburban Homestead’s site that we share our latest dumpster diving finds and it has become popular. I mean, Who Doesn’t Like Free?
I will admit we even had our own family members in somewhat disbelief of the great finds we have found until they have been out with us when it has happened. I am not going to claim to be the dumpster diving diva although I do know how to dive. While I love to join in on dumpster diving adventures I am often not as mobile because of my job. I work for the school system in Coastal North Carolina so I’m trapped in a building all day long.
It’s my husband who finds the good dumpster diving finds but he is the one who taught me some of the main components of dumpster diving. My husband drives for his job so he simply keeps his eyes open when he’s out and about the town. Rarely he has spotted something he has needed to bring his truck back after working to collect. Most of the time it is stuff that is just right in front of him or he could be having a lunch break and spot these items.
TOP FIVE RULES FOR FINDING FREE STUFF!
- Be consistent and check your favourite dumpster’s frequently. Always be aware of your surroundings.
- Act Fast…if you see something on the side of the road grab it up it may be gone the next time you drive by.
- Look for the potential in every item. For example, my husband found some display ladders in a mall dumpster and he had no idea what we were going to do with them but he grabbed them anyway and he turned one into a shabby chic pot rack which I love and the other one is decorative ladder still leaning up on our bookshelves.
- Own some nifty nabbers which are extremely handy as my husband has been able to reach items that he might not normally have gotten.
- You have to be safe and watch out for broken glass, sharp metal and other potentially dangerous objects….Always be aware of your surroundings and proceed with caution.
Nifty Nabber
We have attached pictures below of some of our latest finds…..the first item all you anglers out there will love.
Fishing reels
Just look at these fishing reels…..a few of them my husband had to order minor parts for but most repairs on the reels have averaged under $3.00 a reel. However he found enough he was able to swap parts in most cases.
Fireplace Log Basket
The second item is a fireplace log basket…….we really needed one of these and the timing was perfect as the cold weather was settling in.
1984 Olympic silver dollar
The third item is a 1984 Olympic silver dollar it is one of a two piece set but we did not find the other piece so because of that it is only worth about $40 on Ebay.
Japanese stainless steel salt and pepper shakers
The last item is a beautiful set of Japanese stainless steel salt and pepper shakers with some scroll-work….very elegant looking!
I hope you enjoyed taking a tour of some of our amazing dumpster diving finds. They all add up to huge savings and besides it’s kind of an adventure. I never know what my husband is going to come home with.
Have you ever found something in or around a dumpster that you picked up?
Can you dumpster dive where you live?
Guest Post By: Karen Lynn-Stop on by our Lil’ Suburban Homestead any time. Thanks to Mr. CBB for allowing me the opportunity to be a guest blogger and to talk about our Dumpster Diving. I never show up as your top fan but trust me I’m a huge fan of your blog.
Editors Note: I’ve always been interested to hear about dumpster diving as I really didn’t know much about what happens behind the scenes. Although we shouldn’t be doing this in several provinces in Canada under the Tresspass Property Act it’s interesting to learn what others do around the world. I’d also be interested to learn from Canadians that dumpster dive and their experiences.
We’ve picked up beer cans from garbage bins in the park, on the ground or in recycle bins from the few neighbours around us that we know and are friends with. Free money is hard to turn a blind eye too, it’s like finding coins or dollar bills on the ground. Would you leave a $20 bill in a garbage bin or on the ground? Probably not, that’s what I thought. Although our neighbours wouldn’t give a hoot someone you don’t know might and some cities might have by-laws for this. Regardless of any laws it happens in our own cities, all around us whether we want to accept it or not. Whether one gets caught is an entirely different story but a chance many are willing to take.
I agree that too much food is wasted and at times it’s good food. Many times we’ve bought reduced items on the cheap rack and there is nothing wrong with them and they likely hit the dumpster by evening if no one buys them. This is where freegans may step in. Although I’ve never met a freegan I’d be interested to talk to one to hear their views. It’s a shame with all the starving people in this world and too bad the food can’t be donated. If you have a story you want to share contact me today.
In our city we can take an item that is typically placed on the curbside with a “Free Sign” which I like to call curb watching for free stuff. Alternatively, we can use free-cycle where people post online what they are giving away for free and set it out on their porch once claimed online for pick-up. There are also certain days set out by the local city to help get rid of items for free that others might want. Karen says the opposite stands true in the USA as you have to be much more careful about grabbing stuff from the side of the road as sometimes people do not intend for it to be picked up but the dumpster implies it is garbage.
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