This blog is mainly about how I find ways to save money and I have tried a LOT of different things in the past. I read other blogs to look for tips on things I can do to reduce my expenses so that I can work on reducing debt and building wealth.
I have found a few frugal tips out that have been great and there also a few that really freak me out!!!! I decided to start a little series of Frugal Tips That I will NOT try so you can get a better idea of some of the things I think are too extreme.
One of the tips that I will not follow is Dumpster Diving. For those of you not familiar with the concept, this involves going out to the corner dumpster and looking through the trash for items that I can use. I think this is TOTALLY disgusting, especially when I think of some of the stuff that goes into MY trash so I cannot see why anyone would do it unless they were homeless and desperate.
img from whitetrashwarehouse.com
I can understand the concept of seeing something on the curb NEXT TO the dumpster that can be used. In college people frequently left couches or other furniture near the dumpster, usually with a sign saying ‘take me‘ so that was okay.
I cannot see myself going into the dumpster and opening a bag of trash to find something that I would want to bring into my home. Even now with all the bedbug scares I would not even pick up furniture near the dumpster….so I will leave the dumpster diving to the more ambitious ones out there.
That is certainly something I would never do and I believe no other logical person would unless he was homeless and desperate as you said
Dumpster diving would definitely be a last resort for me as well. I just feel there so many other ways to save money and make money on the side that this should be kept for those who really have no other options.
Yes it definitely doesn’t seem like a desirable profession. On the flipside, think of all of the stuff that dumpster divers save from going to landfills…food, bottles & cans, reusable appliances and other miscellaneous things. Most dumpster divers are even respectful enough to clean up their mess to ensure those dumpsters get left in accessible areas. Sometimes these people cannot get jobs elsewhere, often due to mental illness or drug problems.
Dumpster diving is a very low mark, but to buying furniture or similarly in second-hand shops or on second-hand markets, is in my opinion OK from a financial point of viewing.
Oh, that’s disgusting and so unhealthy! I won’t do dumpster diving too, unless there’s gold inside! 🙂
I do know some people that do that, But I don’t think I could get over the nastyness of being in a dumpster let alone taking something out and putting it in my car.
To be a dumpster diver you need to be pretty desperate. Not saying “homeless” but pretty close. There are many other ways to save a buck. With that being said people do tend to through useful items away. One man’s junk is another man’s treasure? Picking up discarded appliances or furniture from someone’s driveway on trash days is a good way to start. Most of the time people may throw these items away not because they are useless but because there is no room in the house and they just want to get rid of them.
….mostly they go to retail dumpsters, grocery stores and such.. having worked for retail I’ve been completely shocked by what they throw away. One art store threw out whole sets of paint and canvas… making the struggling art students who worked there do it. Same thing with grocery stores, they chuck thousands of food goods that are perfectly fine into dumpsters. Dog stores will dump bags of food and hundreds of toys.
Yea, I also hope I never have to go dumpster diving. I guess in some cases, the ‘One man’s garbage is another’s treasure’ saying does apply. Like Cyndi, I have also seen cases where perfectly good product is gotten rid of. But what really saddens me is to see the most destitute people actually look for food in dumpsters. I really feel bad for them.
I don’t see what the problem with dumpster diving is! I’m not desperate by any means, but I still dumpster dive. I don’t usually dive for food, but I am always on the lookout for useful furniture and appliances. It’s much better than letting things end up in the landfill, and hey- free stuff! Last pick I got a bookshelf, wicker basket, baking sheets, and a potted plant.