I think I will watch this today...it sounds interesting. I do freecycle and also I have gotten items that people have left out for trash~we actually just got a great plastic Cosco toddler bed that somebody had set out on trash day! I never have done dumpster diving though~I don't think I would do it for food unless we were REALLY in need. I'm sure people do find lots of great items though!

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SAHM TO 2 GIRLS (14 months & 6 years)

thanks 4:00 my time.

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Samantharae

EEEEEEEW.....Even if the items they find are fine there is absolutely no telling what else has been thrown away in the same trash can that could have contaminated it. Stores empty bathroom trash and throw out expired meat, dairy etc. as well. Even if the items they keep are ok I can't even imagine the risk you could be putting your family at. For goodness sakes, last time we moved there were tons of boxes in a dumpster and I wouldn't even crawl in for those. YUCK!

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Standard of Living and Quality of life are NOT the same thing.

I can't wait to see this episode, should be very interesting!! I have never dumpster dived before in my life, I don't think it is something I could bring myself to do unless I had no other way to survive.

My husband works for a large warehouse chain and they throw away tons of grocery items each week. They have to pull them by the sell by date and trash them although the food may still be good. I believe there are regulations set by the gov't regarding it.

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SAHM to a beautiful 3 year old princess!
Wife of 5 years to a great husband!

Hey! Just watched Oprah and this was definitely something worth watching! Personally, I wouldn't dumpster-dive for food, unless our lives depended on it. I'd be too afraid of the health risk. It is so sad to see all this food go to waste, but at the same time, I can't blame the stores for doing this either. With so many people out there just looking for a quick buck law suit, the stores need to cover themselves too.

The irony of being Freegan is that they're doing it as a statement against consumerism; but it's consumerism that's supporting their lifestyle!

I admit the amount of waste is terrible but I watched the show and think this is disgusting to be doing and would go to a food pantry, church or shelter if I didn't have any other choice. I believe in hand me downs, garage sales and even free cycle but this is just disturbing to me and these people are extreme and need as much help as hoarders.

Also, Oprah saying "People really just need to think about how much stuff they really need" is hilarious. She does an entire Christmas consumer driven give away show and gives millions of dollars of unnecessary stuff away just fueling the fire and sending other people out to buy more of the stuff she promoted on her show as "Her favorite things" so I just don't see her as credible saying all this stuff.

I believe in frugal but this is ridiculous.

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Standard of Living and Quality of life are NOT the same thing.

The difference is that Oprah can afford to do what she does. She isn't breaking the bank by giving stuff away. Plus when it comes to her great giveaway show, she is selective about her audience. She chooses people that give back to society in some way. Nobody I know has ever gone out to buy items from those shows. I think it is great what she does. She gives alot back!

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SAHM to a beautiful 3 year old princess!
Wife of 5 years to a great husband!

I saw the show and although the idea of dumpster diving scares me and grosses me out, I'd probably be with that group if I was in that area...Just because I saw that the food they were getting were still sealed and it'll be with a lot of people. I'd probably be a half-freegan It seems fun to go treasure hunting for tossed furniture...Isn't there a show in HGTV or maybe DIY or maybe TLC (too many channels...thanks to cable) about refinishing stuff thrown away and turning it into something really unique/useful?

I love it! I would probably be too embarrassed to actually do it, but the conept is awesome

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Blessings, Susan