Yes, I am always amazed, and not in a good way. Today is trash day in our neighborhood and it is also HEAVY trash day. Heavy trash is scheduled once a month. For us it is always the second Tuesday of the month.
Now I can understand come spring that people are maybe cleaning out garages or changing up things around the house and yard - but it always amazes me - how many come up with so much stuff every month!!!!!!
I have a neighbor behind me (2 adults and 2 dogs) - that has big bulky furniture out EVERY month! They live in the same size house as me - how can this be? Do people just not take care of anything? Do people waste money on new stuff because they get bored? I DON'T GET IT!!!!!!!
Today they had and end table, a love seat and 3 mattresses. Last month it was a couch and a chair and a dresser. This is EVERY month!!!!!! Always furniture.
This stuff goes to the landfill! Into our earth - for how long? Forever on some things!
I have had the same furniture since 2002, and it is still in decent shape. How can you need a couch every few months?
I recycled all I can in some new way. I donate things that are still nice for someone else to use. Just because it is gently used, doesn't mean it doesn't have life.
I compost or feed the animals. I use leftovers. I can make crafts out of things. My list goes on and on.
I see people talk about 'dumpster diving' at stores. I guess I say good for them. So much is thrown away by stores instead of donating it. There is such a worry about being sued today. Years ago (I mean early married years) we never bought bread, cookies, cakes or any bakery goods. Glen knew the manager of the grocery just up from where he worked - and he would call G at work and say it's trash day. G and the other guys would go with their trucks and pick up tons of bread and bakery items for free - before it went into the dumpster. I swear we didn't buy that kind of stuff for at least 5 years after we were married - nor did our family or friends!!!!!!
There is a You Tube called Freaking Frugal that dumpster dives a lot. They use the stuff, give to family and friends and supply a local food bank.
Sadly our food banks will not accept anything that is past date - even though it is totally good. That just makes me angry and sad.
There is so much good food going into the landfills. There are hungry people every where. This is just beyond my comprehension.
I know a lot people go out before trash pick up and "shop the curb". I have been known to do that - and have gotten some neat things. I am glad to know that some people are trying to reduce waste and save funds.
Yard sales are a good way to rid of things and make a little money. I know it is a lot of work - and many don't want to deal with that (me as I get older) - BUT people can still donate!!! Someone would love to have your items. Bless another.
I guess I am just in a mood this morning. Several things have just set me off this morning and then I saw yet again another pile of furniture at the curb and it hit my "B**ch" button!!! LOL
I just don't understand people.
I will never understand people.
I know I can't be alone in this way of thinking. I know there are lots of you that recycle, refurbish and reuse items.
It makes so much since. Not only do we save money - but we save our planet.
Thanks for listening to my morning rant!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL
I think if I were you I would start pawing through those piles and see what you could use or sell. The owners may not want to be bothered selling the stuff but you could sell locally.
ReplyDeleteI have thought about that - then had second thoughts. Just looking at their yard and garage kind of answers my question - it leaves a bit to be desired. Kind of afraid what I might find!
DeleteMy dining room table and buffet belonged to my great grandfather's sister. Looks rough. I'm in love with it.
ReplyDeleteLongevity - useful, memories, and well built (obviously).
DeleteThey sure don't make things like they used to.
My wife and I have done some curbside shopping during "big trash" day. I have scored a brand new, in the box, glider that I put together and it still sits on our back patio today. It was worth over $200 new. We got a like new tricycle for our grand daughter. We have found many other things and recently I sold about $45 of outdoor decor items I found at one house.
ReplyDeletehttps://retirementcoffeeshop.blogspot.com/
Why in the world would someone have thrown away a new in the box glider? Insane. Good for you!!
DeleteI am glad to see people being resourceful.
I could rant right along with you....I so agree! We need to be more content with our blessings and take care of them. I get on my pulpit ever so often. My parents were little during the depression but grew up living with little. I had instilled in me to work for what I got, value it, take care of it. And, to share! These things people just toss could so bless many others. See, now you got me going....lol! Please, let's all just be good as I was told growing up��.
ReplyDeleteLOL - sorry I got you riled up too!
DeleteYes, take care of what you have whether it costs a lot or not. It has value. I think that is why I baby my Blazer along. I worked hard to buy my first car and took care of it and it ended up making me a profit!!
My Blazer is a 2002 and still looks pretty darn sharp. Take care of it and it will take care of me.
I totally understand, you and I feel the same way. Mattresses are my b*tch button. Have you ever heard of a mattress protector? They are not expensive. As sick as mom was her mattress was spotless when she passed.
ReplyDeleteYep. They get new mattresses all the time. Those things aren't cheap. The protector - yes they are inexpensive. Just take care of stuff. Our poor earth.
DeleteCheryl,
ReplyDeleteYou are preachin' to the choir! I cleaned out our big "grandmother's" attic this summer. I sold items on ebay and craigslist. Small things to Goodwill and lots of other furniture/ light fixtures, etc were listed free on Craigslist. Someone got everything I listed. Two things I know of the people told me what a blessing the item was to them in a time of need. I felt so blessed!
Exactly! Look how many people you blessed. That is wonderful. I just don't get the waste and the complete lack of understanding or caring.
DeleteThere is always someone that can use this or that. I just shake my head and sometimes swear!!! LOL
Curbside trash picking is illegal in many locales. Always check before you take. Ask permission is someone is home. I'm always leery of anything that might harbor fleas, bedbugs or roaches.
ReplyDeleteMany people spent their govt stimulus money on new furniture. I saw numerous big screen tv boxes at the curb. Lots of chairs, sofas, mattresses, etc.
Stores can't sell food past the best by date due to liability issues. Same reason why food banks can't take it. If someone gets sick, they might sue, even if they can't prove they got sick from the food they received.
When people do not have to earn the money to pay for their belongings, they do not take care of them. There is a lot of waste out there, and that is a shame.
I'll never understand people, either. But that is a rant for another day ;-)
Hi Frances - good to see you.
DeleteI worry about bedbugs as well. That is something that scares the beejeebus out of me.
The people behind me have done this for years - but you make a good point. That brings up another rant - let's advertise we just bought new expensive electronics!!!!! Oh my, putting those boxes out - just says "break in my house". Cut those boxes up!
We used to have a dent store that only sold past date foods. It was fun to go through. It is all so frustrating.
I think this is why I get along better with animals than people!!!!!!!
We either have to pay for large items to be collected or else take them ourselves to the tip. They have a recycle section and there is a council run second hand shop which sells them and stuff donated to the shop. The big trouble we have is fly tipping where people dump rubbish either in alleyways, behind garages or worse on farmers' land and they have to pay to have it taken to the tip. We haave collected some furniture that has been dumped. I got a doll's push chair in perfect condition for little grand daughter and she loves it. Any items I no longer want go to the charity shop or get offered on freecycle or olio.
ReplyDeleteI think it might be better IF we did have to pay or take stuff away ourselves. MAYBE people would be more aware - then again I doubt it.
DeletePeople can be so inconsiderate of others. Dumping on others property is so wrong. I am sure good things are to be found - I have found some neat yard things before.
That is cool the dump has a store - great way to recycle.
I stopped going to the dump with my husband because I just could not stand to see all the perfectly good things being thrown in the dumpsters. If you can load it up and take it to the dump then you can drop it off at a thrift store!
ReplyDeleteI love Freakin' Frugal! I am getting more and more tempted to check out the dumpsters! A few weeks ago we were leaving Dollar Tree and saw still sealed cases of Wise chips sitting on top of a pile of clean boxes. We should have stopped and loaded them up and shared with our neighbors.
You are so right - just take it to the thrift store instead.
DeleteWe can't get anything from store dumpsters any more. Most have the 'trash' in a locked area behind the store and there are cameras.
It is pretty much taboo here. You might find the occasional open area - but not often. They even break down boxes for recycle now and it is harder for those moving to get boxes.
Some folks just make you scratch your head and say, what on earth is wrong with these people? We no longer have large trash pick up in our section of Marion County. You have to call Republic trash to arrange a pick up and that is only once a month. They won't take anything if you just set it out.
ReplyDeleteGood for you, keeping your vehicle running! We have a 2000 Buick with 75K miles and a 2001 Chrysler Town & Country van with about 130K miles. Our ninety-one year old neighbor drives a 1998 Mercury. He wears a mechanic's coat when he goes out to work on it. The coat must be an antique!
Folks need to take care of their stuff!
Wow - I figured all of the county got the same pick-ups. I had no idea.
DeleteThat vehicle cost me more than my house did when we bought it!!! No lie! So yes, I will take care of it.
How cute that is about the guy and his jacket.
Yes we need to take care - people are just throwing away money!
Please don't try and understand people or your head will explode. I can't believe some of the pinheaded things that some people do. My husband has 3 sisters and they refuse to recycle. Really? Why? They throw everything into the trash even though they have a recycle bin that they can throw their recyclables into. But they don't. Can you imagine the thousands of pounds of stuff that they could be recycling each year that is going to the landfill? It makes me so mad. My husband knows how angry this makes me but they are adults so not much I can do about it. I do try to guilt them into recycling. It's so easy. Maybe some day they'll open their eyes. That's nice you have a heavy trash day. If we need something heavy picked up we can call a number and they'll send someone out. But I can count the number of times I've done this on one hand since I don't throw out furniture weekly like your neighbors. Like I said, don't try to understand people or your head will explode. Stay safe!
ReplyDeleteINDEED! I do get so overwhelmed by stupid people! I get angry, I try to educate and then I shake my head. Give me my animals!!!
DeleteThat is so crazy that they refuse to recycle, especially if they have the bins already. No way will I ever understand.
Humans destroy more on this planet than any other animal.
I'm a long time trash picker! I've gotten lovely things
ReplyDeleteJust sitting on the curb. As I sit here now, I am looking at a wooden table with a drawer I picked up. It didn't have a scratch on it. I polished it and put an antique glass knob on it. I have a beautiful white rocking chair on my porch that was sitting on top of a pile of trash. I have picked up expensive white baskets that were thrown out the day after Easter.
People think you crazy for picking things off the curb. I got news for them,I watched a truck from an antique store drive thru my neighborhood gathering stuff up.
Saw them pick up two old doors,when I went in the store to shop,there were the doors for a hundred dollars a piece!
We put out I can of Trash a week. We recycle ever organic scrap we get. Leaves,grass clippings,egg shells,coffee. All into the compost pile.
The Amish have it right. They always buy used.
They waste nothing.
Good for you. That is smart of the shop owner - there is money just sitting on those curbs.
DeleteI usually have one bin - but most often I can go 2 and sometimes 3 weeks between putting bin out.
Yes indeed, the Amish have it right. They buy as much used as possible and make use of all they have.
I'm with you, especially when it comes to not taking care of your things. I have neighbors up the block with young children. Yes, I understand that they're kids, but bring them up right, for goodness sake. These kids leave their bikes, scooters, wagons, toy cars, crayons, coloring books, chalk and a plethora of other toys all over the place. They don't keep things in their own yard (and I'm in a townhome complex and our front green space is common area!!!!). Bikes, bats and balls left in the middle of a neighboring unit's lawn; Matchbox cars and sticks of chalk left out overnight on the sidewalk -- it's a wonder no one's broken an ankle while walking in the evening, a wagon left in the middle of the sidewalk last night, rolled down to my unit (I'm in the next building, 5 units away), I could go on and on. And then the mother posts on our neighborhood page about her son's missing blue scooter that he left somewhere. These toys are not cheap knock-offs. They are name brand high end. And the kids can't pick up after themselves before they go inside for dinner???? They're not toddlers. These are kids in elementary school, probably in the 6-8 age range. Geesh!!!! Thanks for letting me share your frustration.
ReplyDeleteIsn't that something. They obviously do not appreciate what they have nor have they been taught how to take care of things. It will lead to adult behavior and irresponsible citizens some day if not checked now. Sure can make your blood pressure rise!
DeleteI just garbage picked a small folding table for my daughter. Nothing wrong with it. It looked like the people were cleaning out their garage.
ReplyDeleteGood for you! Win-win. Free is good.
DeleteDo you think maybe the neighbors let friends or relatives leave items at their house to avoid paying to pay to have it removed at their own homes? That was a good rant!
ReplyDeleteNo it comes from their house. You see them drag it out sometimes. Oh well, their stuff - their money.
DeleteWe have the same problem in the UK. People don't generally put things outside their door, take free. They get a skip, dumpster, and fill that up. I always look in skips to see what I can find. All this greed and entitlement is contributing to the demise of the planet.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy thrift stores and garage sales. I got a simple compost bowl for free that looks nicer on my counter than a milk jug. I also got tuperware bowls for the grands to use for 10cents each. I"m on the look-out for a stand for my microwave. In the meantime I'm using a wooden tv tray. I'd buy all used home goods if I could. And food waste makes me so annoyed as well. I love watching vlogs of others who find their fragments and incorporate into another meal.
ReplyDelete