I Married a Dumpster Diver
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Learning to Live with a Man with a Trashy Habit
My husband is a master at dumpster diving. The "trashy" side of my husband's life as a dumpster diver revealed itself slowly, over a period of years. Had it all been "dumped on me" at once, I don't think I could have handled it.
Dumpster diving is a skill that I didn't appreciate at first....many a time I'd run to the door as I watched my husband open the trunk of his car, or lift something from the back of a pickup we used to own that he thought was a wonderful find. With little regard for his feelings, I'd yell "there's no room for that in here!", or "forget it, hun, take that back or just leave it up there by the road and someone else will take it!" Isn't that terrible?
It took me years to find the good in what he was doing. Since my husband is a dumpster diver, I have learned that one man's trash truly is another man's treasure. Read on, and take a look at some of our "trashy treasures".
Image Credit: caterina on Flickr
Claudia a/k/a happynutritionist
Updated 5/30/12
Contents at a Glance
- Are Dumpster Divers a Rare Breed?
- A Bad Example to my Children
- An Old China Cabinet
- When Dumpster Diving Becomes Stealing
- The Art and Science of Dumpster Diving
- Very Antique Wooden Trunk with Unusual L...
- Restoring and Value of Antique Trunks
- Metal Latch and Keyhole on Antique Trunk
- Top Ten Dumpster Diving Finds
Are Dumpster Divers a Rare Breed?
Here's a simple poll to help us find out
Here's your chance to let the world know if dumpster diving is part of your life. It's a confidential poll, unless you choose to leave a comment in the text field that will open after you make your choice.
“Hey Dad, don't you know there's no room for that in this house?”
A Bad Example to my Children
But good lessons were learned anyway
What a bad example I was to my children! But we all make mistakes, and sometimes while we are learning from our mistakes, our children are learning how to handle the mistakes they will, no doubt, make in their relationships in the future. As adults, they have learned to be very frugal and creative, and I have no doubt that in part, it has something to do with having a dumpster diving father.
An Old China Cabinet
One of our largest finds
8 years ago we found this while driving along the road with a sign on it that said "FREE". I loved it and this time I was the one that made us stop and find a way to get this to our home...so you see, my husband's habit was rubbing off on me!
Our daughter was getting married that year, so some furniture re-arranging would be taking place and I'd have room for it. I have a few collectibles in it, and some of those collectibles and vintage items are...you guessed it...other people's trash that have become my treasures.
When Dumpster Diving Becomes Stealing
Our Funniest Dumpster Diving experience
A little time passed, and it just didn't feel right that this almost-new looking piece of equipment could be sitting out by the road...I asked him, can you please just go and double-check that this is really trash? He said he had been thinking the same thing....after all, there were leaves in everyone's yard. Maybe this was sitting out by the road because the owner had been using it.
Sure enough, he took it back, and the owner came out and said "I just finished calling the police to tell them that my leaf blower had been stolen!". He was quite upset at first, but then they both saw the humor in the situation, and we've told the story and had many a laugh over it since.
Lesson learned....make sure that the trash you pick through on the side of the road is really trash.
Yardwise 136300YW 25-Inch Sweep It Push Yard Sweeper
Amazon Price: $76.55 (as of 05/30/2012)
This isn't quite what he found, I tried to find a picture of it, but couldn't...that was a long time ago...but it's close enough.
Usually ships in 24 hours
The Art and Science of Dumpster Diving
The Art and Science of Dumpster Diving
Amazon Price: $11.95 (as of 05/30/2012)
Used Price: $2.33
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Very Antique Wooden Trunk with Unusual Latch
We haven't identified how old this is
This is another favorite find, a very old antique wooden trunk. We haven't been able to identify when it was made, a close-up of the latch follows. It has metal handles on each side, though one has fallen loose because of the age of the wood. There are many worm holes in the wood. This sits in a corner on an angle in our living room, and has some things purchased in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on it...along with a couple of interesting walking sticks we found, also in Lancaster. My husband found the trunk on the side of the road after a family cleared out their basement in the Spring on the weekend, a great time to go looking.
Restoring and Value of Antique Trunks
Some guides I should look into
Metal Latch and Keyhole on Antique Trunk
Here is what it looks like up close
This is a close-up picture of the metal latch on the trunk pictured above.
Top Ten Dumpster Diving Finds
Some my husband has brought home, some that we've found together...and some that I have found since he has finally convinced me that dumpster diving has it's benefits!
- 1The Trunk pictured is my favorite - I love old things
- 2The China Cabinet
- 3Vintage letters and photos that I can enjoy then resell
- 4Tools - my husband has found many great tools
- 5Portable Fans - a must have in the summer to avoid the A/C as long as possible
- 6A toaster oven
- 7Living Room "end tables"
- 8New and used Christmas Decorations
- 9Sealed and unused paper for the computer...someone closing down a business?
- 10The comfortable chair we use in the office
1 of 2 end tables in our sitting room found by my husband...they need some TLC, dark "old english" furniture polish does wonders
Old English Scratch Cover Polish for Dark and Light Wood
I use this all the time and love it
Share Your Trash to Treasure Finds
I want to know about your "good junk"
I know I'm not the only one who appreciates finding "good junk" as my husband calls it whenever we come across a good find. If you've found a special previously owned item along the way that you use in your home, tell us about it here.
Mattofscience wrote
I found a $10 scratcher that was a winner for one thousand dollars! I often a winner for $2-$10 at the same dumpster and alot of times I didn't even bother checking the tickets...but this time grabbed a whole bag full of scrachers $10. and $20 ones they advertize 2.45:1 odds of winning some prize, I broke my neck a couple years ago which is what led to the dumpster diving it is out of need, survival, and I found a thousand dollars!!
Posted September 12, 2011
veryirie wrote...
A dark green leather 1940s chair from a doctors office that had closed shop and they were just tossing stuff in the dumpster. It wasn't in there 5 minutes before I nabbed it. :)
Posted June 13, 2011
21stCenturyDad wrote...
A business owner was moving into a new office and placed his old furniture from the office in the parking lot. A friend called me and I went over to inquire about the furniture. He said I could have anything I wanted FREE! I picked up several chairs, lamps, and a table for free. Then we drove off feeling good about helping someone clear their clutter!
Posted May 02, 2011
Dreamspirals wrote...
we got a kitchen table plus chairs, a 2 drawer night stand, and a metal fold up table you'd use for a get together or garage sale.
Posted April 24, 2011
Rubaiyat wrote...
My hubby would get on well with yours, he's always coming home with some trophy or other. I enjoy it because he often adapts them into the most amazing creations - it's fun and I appreciate his resourcefulness and ingenuity.
Posted April 21, 2011
careermom wrote...
When I was 10 we lived in Germany and they would have a night where people would put out big things they were getting rid of. I can remember driving around with my dad and a friend of his while they picked up some really nice furniture.
Posted April 20, 2011
Sunflower_Susan wrote...
Books! I don't dumpster dive as a habit, but when I see something valuable, I'll pick it up. My first memory was in Jr. High. I could not believe they just threw textbooks away. So even as a young girl, I dove in to retrieve one copy of each textbook in there. Now, I stay away from book sales, I bring too many home! LOL
Posted April 19, 2011
Sunflower_Susan wrote...
Books! I don't dumpster dive as a habit, but when I see something valuable, I'll pick it up. My first memory was in Jr. High. I could not believe they just threw textbooks away. So even as a young girl, I dove in to retrieve one copy of each textbook in there. Now, I stay away from book sales, I bring too many home! LOL
Posted April 19, 2011
Cans and Bottles - Trash for Cash?
Every nickel helps!
Some States give you money for your recycled cans and bottles. For example, in Connecticut, New York, and Maine here in the northeast you get 5 cents per bottle or can. When we recycle in our home State, we don't get paid for it, but put it out for pickup, paper one Friday, cans and bottles the next, and so on. When we vacation in Maine, we save our bottles, and this is one time when I like to gather any others I see along the walkways and anywhere else they may be thrown to add to our stash.We crush the cans and plastic bottles we recycle at home before throwing them away in their own trash can, but learned that we SHOULD NOT CRUSH them if we plan to take them to recycle for money. Often they have machines that you insert the bottles in one by one, and after all bottles are inserted, you receive a receipt for the cash to give to a cashier, or you receive cash. But the scanner cannot register a crushed bottle or can.
Image Credit: Flickr, taken by starsinstereo and used under Creative Commons License.
How to Live on Almost Nothing
How TO LIVE ON ALMOST NOTHING AND HAVE PLENTY: A Practical Introduction to Small-Scale Sufficient Country Living
Amazon Price: $14.00 (as of 05/30/2012)
Used Price: $42.02
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Dumpster Diving Debate
To Dive, or Not to Dive, That is the question
Whether it is better to keep your eyes on the road, or on the side of the road looking for treasures. And when you see a treasure, do you have the courage to pull over and take a closer look. Then, after that closer look, do you have the nerve to pick it up and put it into your car?
Take a side, and tell us why.
Do you have what it takes to go out dumpster diving?
Yes, I love dumpster diving and do it with ease
RawBill says:
It depends on what you are getting and the state of the dumpster, but you can get all sorts of things for free. I know of people who go through the dumpsters at the produce markets of a night time after the sellers have discarded their unsold stock for the day. Loads of people get free food this way. It certainly beats perfectly good items ending up in land fill.
KReneeC says:
It sounds like something i could definitely start doing!
chuckholmes301 says:
Heck yes. I haven't tried it yet, but will now!
countrylife says:
We have a 'swap shed' at the regional transfer station - all kinds of neat stuff - if you have something you no longer need or use - clothes, books, appliances,furniture - you take it and leave it there - and do a little shopping yourself - found an awesome shelf the other day - its great fun to go and check it out. Some locals cannot even drive by without stopping there!!
kingsrookie says:
I have found some very neat things. I have tables and furniture that people just throw away. Saves a lot since I am young and most of my money goes towards bills!
AltogetherLeather says:
Absolutely - fun and free!!
pay-per-click says:
It's great stuff out there in dumpsters. I have a computer monitor, vac cleaner, dresser, and few things my wife told me to get rid of in the garage (Don't tell her). I never felt comfortable talking about it until I came across this lens. I kind of look over my shoulder before I go diving. Thanks for listening.
21stCenturyDad says:
Help the environment, and recycle! If an item is still useful, why not give it a home? I have seen the inside of a few dumpsters.
Sunflower_Susan says:
Yes, if it's worth it.
goldenrulecomics says:
I used to do it every week when I lived in New York City, because people in the large apartment building across the street used to put out perfectly good things just because they ran out of room in their apartments. The things I picked up I donated to the Goodwill store two blocks over. I never understood why the apartment dwellers didn't think to donate in the first place!
purplelady says:
I would love to dumpster dive; but 2 thing keep holding me back. I am not sure that either my knees and/or back would cooperate and then there is the concern of a wuss who is afraid of getting caught and receiving some kind of fine. But maybe if I can find some other cohorts to join me in this "adventure"; I may still do it just so I can say that I did.
Helene-Malmsio says:
I don't do it myself, but I think it is a great way to encourage recycling and reduce waste, so anyone who does it --- Good On You!!!
jmsp206 says:
I have always wanted to dumpster dive but havn't considered the inpact on family when to mich junk comes home.
When I walk passed the back of my supermarket i am often tempted as the is so much food throw out ,only a few days past their used by dates ,What a waste.
jmsp206 says:
I would love to dumpster dive.These days I would never get back out again but I have often thought when passing by the back of my supermarket,want a lot of food and fruit they throw out and the items are only a few days over their used by dates.
Pastiche says:
In our area of PA they issue licenses to folks who drive around town to pick up curbside stuff on the annual clean up day in April. I've seen many trucks with folks cruising about looking for good junk-tiques. And, yes, I confess I have - literally - dived into dumpsters along with my brother. I'm also a great sidewalk scavenger.
No, I am not comfortable with dumpster diving
happynutritionist says:
In reply to "Vortrek-Grafix" post before this one, I agree, you do have to be careful....I think of things like roaches, bed bugs, etc., that could be brought into the home by "dumpster diving", let alone the condition of the container in which the items are found...good point:-)
Vortrek_Grafix says:
Depending on the "dumpster" environment, there could be health and safety concerns. As for the stigma associated with evaluating trash for bargains, who cares what people think? Many people go to garage sales, thrift stores, auctions, swap meets, flea markets, or whatever looking for similar trash to treasure bargains. Same concept, plus dumpster diving doesn't cost anything. Go for it! Treasure does not come to those who do not seek it.
TheLifestyleChanger says:
To be perfectly honest, I can't think of anything worse.
Cheap-Divorce says:
You are soooo funny. I'm definitely not in the category of a dumpster diver
miaponzo says:
No way.. but I do like garage sales and antique auctions.. etc.. :)
hotbrain says:
I think it's a great idea, but.... It's not legal here so I stay out of dumpsters.... If they change the law, I'll do it!
careermom says:
I'm not sure that I could do it. Though I love the recycling/ reusing component.
MzTezzi says:
Not brave enough to dive, but I do watch for stuff on the sidewalk waiting for trash pick up. Definatly keeping the "leaf whatsit" story in mind now though!
akumar46 says:
I have no idea about Dumpster Diving.
RenaissanceWoman2010 says:
I think it's great that people recycle and reuse things that might otherwise go in a landfill. I'm not dumpster diving because what I want most is to have very few possessions. I'd be the one offering my stuff to the divers.
Susan52 says:
I haven't ever done any dumpster diving, but I don't think there's a thing wrong with it. In fact, I think dumpster diving could become addictive after the first great find! Seems like it would be a great hobby, in fact. I can think of worse ways to spend our free time!
spritequeen says:
Well, physically, I don't know that I COULD do it, but I don't know that I would do it anyway.
LilliputStation says:
My dad is a dumpster diver. I hated growing up in a house cluttered with all his "treasures." My parent's house is so packed with junk that my mom has a difficult time keeping it clean. Plus, I always felt like a beggar. I don't mind resale shops, but I hated living with other peoples garbage.
sandyspider says:
I would be embarrassed. But if someone did it for me, that would be fine.
Dumpster Diving to Supplement our Income
This is what really hooked me!
Sometimes we find things that we don't need but I know have value, and they end up listed on eBay or Amazon. I love looking through old books, old letters and postcards, and old photos. The auction listings below are from the collectibles > paper > documents category on eBay. This is a great way to reuse items that would, sadly, be thrown away.
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Searching for Dumpster Divers
Things related to dumpster diving
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A Place to say Hello
Guestbook
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KReneeC
Apr 26, 2012 @ 11:58 pm | delete
- I love the interesting lens! I think I could start a new hobby! I bet I could get my husband to do it with me too!
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TheLifestyleChanger
Mar 10, 2012 @ 5:03 am | delete
- This has been an interesting read. I certainly love antique items and some second hand items.
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countrylife
Feb 19, 2012 @ 6:26 pm | delete
- Great lens - from a couple of DD's. Happy hunting.
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stylishimo
Jul 18, 2011 @ 4:39 am | delete
- Really enjoyed this lens! I love finding 'treasure' in all kinds of places and I loved seeing your own finds - your partner comes home with some great things - unlike mine, can we swap? ;-)
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SusanBlackburn Jun 25, 2011 @ 10:40 am | delete
- Cool site and some remarkable treasures you've gotten over the years. I was most moved by how you've embraced this as a wonderful aspect of your husband over the years... that's awesome!
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GonnaFly
Jun 1, 2011 @ 2:49 am | delete
- We occasionally find "treasures" in stuff people put out on the street for council pick-ups but nothing quite as nice as that trunk!
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miaponzo
May 15, 2011 @ 1:09 pm | delete
- Hello and thanks for letting us in on your life!!!
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ludys
Apr 28, 2011 @ 9:10 am | delete
- Hi again, I enjoyed your lens very much!
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Sunflower_Susan Apr 19, 2011 @ 4:53 pm | delete
- Interesting biography page! Good conversation starter. :o)
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rdgubaten
Apr 15, 2011 @ 5:33 am | delete
- Very nice lens. I'd want to make one for me. I hope soon.
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RenaissanceWoman2010
Apr 14, 2011 @ 9:58 pm | delete
- I have a good friend who often gleans things from the side of the road. I'm glad that people do it. This was a creative lens. Thanks!
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misbhave999
Apr 12, 2011 @ 10:39 pm | delete
- Hey great tips... check out my lens for fun http://www.squidoo.com/recycling-cans-fun-facts
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GiftsBonanza
Apr 12, 2011 @ 8:20 am | delete
- We have annual council pick ups of old furniture etc - and everyone drives slowly with trailers hitched to the car ready for the treasure hunt! My husband starts walking to the shops rather than driving at this time of year lol
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purplelady
Apr 10, 2011 @ 5:20 pm | delete
- My brother has often found many "treasure" from the dumpsters around his neighborhood. I have added this lens as a featured lens on my Frugal Fred and Freeda lens. This is a very interesting and fun lens to visit.
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Susan52
Apr 10, 2011 @ 5:00 pm | delete
- Love it! Wow, you have some real treasures there! I'm going to start keeping my eyes open as we drive along and, in fact, might have to take some evening drives through the neighborhood the night before trash pickup!
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spritequeen
Apr 10, 2011 @ 3:18 pm | delete
- Wow! Guess it's true that "one man's junk is another man's treasure!" :-) Interesting topic - thanks for sharing!
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Helene-Malmsio
Apr 10, 2011 @ 4:29 am | delete
- Its a good thing that this is not one activity I have taken up as my home is so cluttered with all my decades of "treasures" already that there would be no room left. I have banned myself from attending any more trash'n'treasure markets locally - lol!
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oztoo
Apr 8, 2011 @ 8:13 pm | delete
- It seems your hubbie has pretty good taste when it comes to dumpster diving. I love some of the treasures you have found and the story about the leaf thingy. It truly is amazing what some people throw out. Thanks for sharing an interesting part of your life.
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Mujjen
Apr 8, 2011 @ 3:37 am | delete
- I had some friends who made enough money for a long, Caribbean stay by dumpster diving. They cleaned up the furniture and thing they found, then sold them in the weekly flea-market!At times, there was hardly room to sit in their apartment! But they stayed three months in the sun when we were all freezing!
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sandyspider
Apr 8, 2011 @ 12:44 am | delete
- Very interesting lens. It looks like your husband has found a lot of treasures.
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jmsp206 Apr 7, 2011 @ 8:43 pm | delete
- Great Len! I have always wnated to dumpster dive seeing a lot of waste food thrown away just a few days over their used buy date but I never considered the ramisfiications it would have on famiy.
I have also scored some goodies on hard rubbish days we have here once a year, its quite fun.
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Table of Contents
- Are Dumpster Divers a Rare Breed?
- A Bad Example to my Children
- An Old China Cabinet
- When Dumpster Diving Becomes Stealing
- The Art and Science of Dumpster Diving
- Very Antique Wooden Trunk with Unusual Latch
- Restoring and Value of Antique Trunks
- Metal Latch and Keyhole on Antique Trunk
- Top Ten Dumpster Diving Finds
- 1 of 2 end tables in our sitting room found by my husband...they need some TLC, dark "old english" furniture polish does wonders
- Old English Scratch Cover Polish for Dark and Light Wood
- Share Your Trash to Treasure Finds
- Cans and Bottles - Trash for Cash?
- How to Live on Almost Nothing
- Dumpster Diving Debate
- Dumpster Diving to Supplement our Income
- % Donated to Food for Everyone
- Searching for Dumpster Divers
- Thumbs up, Pins, Facebook and Tweets
- A Place to say Hello
- Random unrelated lenses you might like
- Follow Me on Twitter
by happynutritionist
It's true, one man's trash really is another mans treasure! Dumpster dive and you'll see what I mean!
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Empire of Scrounge
I don't think this is quite what we are...I hope
Empire of Scrounge: Inside the Urban Underground of Dumpster Diving, Trash Picking, and Street Scavenging (Alternative Criminology)
Amazon Price: $17.88 (as of 05/30/2012)
