As a kid we were very poor, my Dad is much older than I am. He was 43 when I was born and he lived and remembers the great depression very well. Since we were so poor we would eat things taken out of a dumpster and back to school shoping was done at the local Goodwill. We also got all of our furniture, toys, etc. from the side of the road or a auctions.

As an adult I totally agree that we throw away things that still have great value to others. I love freecycle and I don't mind taking things from the side of the road or outside of a dumpster. Most of my furniture has come this way. I do draw the line at dumpster diving for food. I'm not talking bad about those who do this or HAVE to do this. It is up to everyone to determine what they have to do to take care of their family.

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Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.

Robert Collier

One of my dreams: Walking along a beach with BLUE water.

We DD all the time (1-3 times a week). Certainly don't NEED too, but it's a fun treasure hunt. We can afford pretty much almost anything food wise within reason, we make close to 6 figures a year and live on less than 45% of our income. For us it's a statement about waste, and it's just sicking to see what is thrown away, both food and non food items. Luckly we are also involved with Food not Bombs group THE FOOD NOT BOMBS STORY that gathers expiring foods from local grocery stores and then serves up the donations in local parks for free.

The waste and the stuff that is thrown away is simply disgusting. You can see some of my recent DD finds at my photostream at Flickr Dumpster Dived goodies - a photoset on Flickr

I never watch Oprah, but will be doing so today.

Can't say that I will ever go that far as to Dive in. Yes it is a shame to see food going to waste but I am another who won't go to that extream. In retrospect we do try to use left overs and the food we do buy before it goes bad.
I love that the internet does provide an easy way to exchange used goods.

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Kimberly Proud Mommy to Bethany Rose April 2006

DH doesn't talk about this... but when his family migrated to the US, they were forced to do this. THIS IS A SECRET IN HIS LIFE, he doesn't like it but it was a necessity for them to survive. They would sell some stuff and yes even eat from the dumpster. His family now is very well off compared to when they migrated. His dad now owns 3 homes and is building and remodeling one of them. He also has his own business now, and is successfully self employed!

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BTW, i will be watching Oprah today. I normally don't watchi it, but i'll be doing so today.

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I normally don't watch OPRAH either but could someone tell me what time it usually comes on? I am interested in this show.

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Samantharae

when i posted earlier i meant grossed out by eating food from the dumpster not treasure finding i have found tons of treasures when i worked for a beuty wholesaler tons of businesses in our area put great household items in the dumpsters and i took some home.. the food i could only do if my kids were starving and it was our only means of survival.

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Measure wealth not by the things you have, but by the things you have for which you would not take money.

Quote:

I normally don't watch OPRAH either but could someone tell me what time it usually comes on? I am interested in this show.

Click here to find out where and when Oprah's show will be on.

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I saw a commercial for this episode - sounds interesting.

I don't normally watch Oprah, but I will be today. I like the pic of her in her kitchen. It looks like she lives a nice life (nice appliances and such) and she really is doing this for moral reasons.

A couple of weeks ago my husband was poking fun at me for hounding him about recyclables and being outside for 20 mins while I was sorting the cans from the bottles. Yes we make over 6 figures a year, but that doesn't mean I should recycle and that doesn't mean I shouldn't be proud of the $25 I'm going to get when I take those recycables in!

I think I will DVR Oprah and make him watch that segment with me tonight just to get his reaction. You probably won't catch me dumpster diving anytime soon, but you will see me at the Goodwill and the dented food aisle at the grocery store....there is no shame in saving money and being resourceful!

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Christine
WAHM to James (10/00) & Caroline (4/03)
Surro Mommy to Jillian & Taylor (08/06)