Final Analysis of Dumpster Diving

It is addicting. It is treasure hunting. It can easily become out of control! After 4 months or so of holding onto my treasures from dumpster diving I had a yard sale. Circled in red are items pulled from the dumpster.



And that was just a portion of the items. Remember that I sold a few on ebay and consigned others. I went into this thinking I would save everything from the landfill and ended up with everything in the garage! I never did fix those white chairs with the missing legs. Didn't get around to making a duvet cover out of old jean butts. I never refinished the dresser and instead gave it to a friend. I know she will fix it up because she bought those pretty glass pulls for it! The disco ball is collecting dust in the garage. The broken mirrors have yet to turn into artwork, and the mismatched socks are still waiting to be reborn into dogs.



The cost/benefit analysis says: If you don't have an immediate use for it - or a friend who really REALLY needs it - let it go or recycle it. Just don't store it in your attic or garage. If you bring it into the house, it is harder to get rid of!

Now, if you know you can turn it around and make a little money... Go for it! I knew that I could get something for the table below. I just had to put the legs on the right way! Sold it for $15!



On the other hand, I never did learn to weld so the leg on this outdoor bar stayed bent...and it sat, and sat, and sat until I sold it for $5. Sure, 5 bucks is gas money, but come on? 4 months of looking at it - slowly eating my soul away, and making my place look tacky - was not worth it!



The yard sale was pretty good despite the lack of advertising. Made $160. I would say half of that was actual dumpster diving treasures. If you can have a quicker turn around, this is a great hobby to try out. Otherwise, only take what you really can use or you will have clutter. I did find more pleasure out of giving away dumpster diving finds to friends who really needed them. This next season, I plan to donate most of my finds.



Find out if posting your yard sale signs on telephone polls is legal in your area or not. If you don't know, the Heat may come and visit you. After all, you put the address on the sign! Oops.