Dumpster Diving

[Melissa]

Dumpster Diving - What does that mean??
The definition for Dumpster Diving is to pretty much riffle through the trash looking for goodies.

In the couponing world we are usually referring to looking though recycling bins searching for the Sunday newspaper coupon inserts. One of the main keys to stockpile couponing is to obtain multiple coupons!

I usually go to a paper gator (green recycle trash bin) to drop off my papers and I will take 15 minutes searching through the bags and loose paper in the bin. There are also semi trailers parked in permanent locations for the nu wool company and these are very easy to walk in and look through the bags for inserts. You will be amazed at how many you will find!

Before venturing out Know the Rules in your area!
I have been "caught" twice by the police. The first time I was at a school and he asked me what I was doing. I think he knew and wanted a few kicks. He explained it was still dangerous even though only having papers he did warn me of potential hazards. Told me "good luck" and left. The second time a dear friend of mine was in the gator and I was outside a gentleman dropped off his papers and didn't seem to like what we were doing. He called the police who came and looked through our coupons and said enjoy the magazines laughing as they left! (I told him I would bring the magazines back after I read them)
In some areas however it may be illegal, though it is legal in many areas. Just be sure to check as we always want to play by the rules.

Helpful Tools
It is much easier and no tools are necessary when you visit the paper trailers as these are easy to walk in and you have plenty of room to move around and strategically find the most coupons.
If you are visiting a paper gator bin it is helpful to have a reacher, grabber thing especially if you don't want to get in all the way.
I use a fold up chair but these can be dangerous. I would recommend a fold up small ladder or stool to really reach in.
Don't forget sanatizer or baby wipes even, so you can clean your hands when you are finished. Paper can be dirty and full of germs so always clean your hands before heading home.

And never forget to replace the paper you are taking. Bring enough paper to cover what you might find and then some. I would say one Sunday papers worth at least should more than cover the coupons you are taking. After all, these are school and church fundraisers so we don't want to take away from that.

HAVE FUN and Start saving even more!

[motherof2]

what day do u find is the best day to go to find the sunday paper inserts

[Melissa]

(07-24-2009 11:08 AM)motherof2 Wrote:  what day do u find is the best day to go to find the sunday paper inserts

I would say Tuesdays are good. The Paper Gators are usually emptied on Wednesdays. Other than that I go on Fridays or Saturdays. What area are you in?

[motherof2]

lower MI

[Melissa]

(07-24-2009 06:23 PM)motherof2 Wrote:  lower MI

ahh I see. I was in a gator paper bin and the guy came to empty it and that is how I found when they come to empty them. So in my area Thursdays are really bad. Most are completely empty. But I have always found Saturdays to be good. I used to go once a week every Saturday. I went today with my sis and got about 100 inserts (of course we have to split them) 4 paper bins 2 hours total! Not too bad, I haven't gone in almost a month!

[motherof2]

let me tell everyone that this really works

i went toaday for my frist -BUT NOT LAST - time

i visted 2 locations a total of 5 bins

i got 25! inserts from dinfernt weeks
and a 'valu-pac' somebody didnt even open

with all of these Qs i did just a little shopping trip:

3 MM starbucks
2 bryer pints
8 itti bittz
a gallon of milk
1 box cereal (marked down 1.84 but i had a 1.00 \ 1 Q final - 0.84!)
3 boxes sausages
1 jello
2 bakery markdown items
6 betty crocker helpers
1 sunny D (32oz or 64oz)

for a toal of 16.00
a savings of 51.00

my friend was watching the cashier scanning all my Qs and was saying stuff like ' its fun just watching all the #s drop'

however we stoped at arbys on the way home
3 shakes for 8.00 !!

[Melissa]

(07-29-2009 11:07 PM)motherof2 Wrote:  let me tell everyone that this really works

i went toaday for my frist -BUT NOT LAST - time

i visted 2 locations a total of 5 bins

i got 25! inserts from dinfernt weeks
and a 'valu-pac' somebody didnt even open

with all of these Qs i did just a little shopping trip:

3 MM starbucks
2 bryer pints
8 itti bittz
a gallon of milk
1 box cereal (marked down 1.84 but i had a 1.00 \ 1 Q final - 0.84!)
3 boxes sausages
1 jello
2 bakery markdown items
6 betty crocker helpers
1 sunny D (32oz or 64oz)

for a toal of 16.00
a savings of 51.00

my friend was watching the cashier scanning all my Qs and was saying stuff like ' its fun just watching all the #s drop'

however we stoped at arbys on the way home
3 shakes for 8.00 !!

That is great. I went yesterday evening and got tons of full inserts also. More free ice cream and more! I too splurged. I took a long time DD about 2 hours total and bought a pizza for dinner. $12.00 from jets and of course I used the coupon I found in the bin! But when you find hundreds of dollars of coupons in a few hours its worth the splurge. Especially when you save so much! I will just add the pizza into my grocery budget for the week.
I don't want to take away from your story you did awesome but the arbys made me want to post about the pizza. We totally have to go sometime

[nicole9993]

What time do you mainly go? Go to paper gator.com and they tell you all locations.

[Melissa]

(08-15-2009 02:33 PM)nicole9993 Wrote:  What time do you mainly go? Go to paper gator.com and they tell you all locations.

I go whenever I have time which is not much!!! I went to the YMCA in grandville and they have 5 gators in the parking lot!!! Wow its one stop shopping there! But just about any time is good to go gatoring.
Best day to go is Tuesday bc they empty the gators on Wednesdays in this area at least. I used to go on Saturdays every week bc I didn't have to take the kids
I also have a list of paper trailers click here to view that list. Just promise you'll save some for me-- just kidding I don't have the time to go lately.

[nicole9993]

Thanks! Yeah I think I would prefer the walk in paper trailers. I am not limber enough to get in and out of a dumpster.