“What an exciting thing it is to save money! Especially when you don’t have any!
When I started my coupon clipping I was a bit overwhelmed. Many of the scenarios posted on The Frugal Find looked awesome but I didn’t know how to get all the right coupons and finding the right amount of those coupons was tricky. Buying multiples of the newspapers was an option but in the end I didn’t want to have a huge stack of papers to throw away. Another option was to recruit family members and friends to save the inserts for you. This is effective but not as instantaneous. Also, once you tell them all the great deals you are getting with the coupons, they start wanting to save them!. I even ran into a lady at Kmart once who said she befriended the 7-11 close to her and on Mondays she will get to take the leftover Sunday papers off their hands. All of these options are great ideas, but the one I found to be most effective in getting me my multiple inserts might make you cringe- dumpster diving! That’s right -I said it! In my local community I found a big newspaper dumpster bin in which I climb in and take all the inserts I can find. At first I was a little embarrassed, but in this day and age you can’t think too much about what others think about you, just be happy. I found a sense of joy in digging for my inserts. One time I was digging and this old guy dropped a newspaper on my head and what do you know – it was a Sunday paper with inserts! We both got a kick out of that and chatted a bit more about my coupon craze. I am certain that he told his family about it at dinner that night. Who knows they might even start using coupons!
I am still a rookie but have graduated into the intermediate stage as I now have a BINDER! In fact, I feel naked if I don’t take it with me when I go shopping!”
Anon Dumpster Diva is a good friend of Mrs. Frugal, her identity is safe with me. She’s even shared her Dumpster Diving gold with me at times and I’ve been more than willing to accept the riches. So, have you ever dumpster dived? Don’t worry you too cancomment anonymously…
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{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Love it! Great idea…I’ll have to try it.
I collect extra coupon inserts at coffee shops such as Starbucks on Sun. afternoons.
If you live in an apartment building where the mailboxes are all together – check the nearest garbage can. On days that “inserts” arrive there are generally lots in there
I dumpster dive every week!! Behind the local newpaper building they throw all unused papers in a huge recycle bin. The good thing is the only thing in there is papers…. I would definately think twice if I had to actually go through gargabe – LOL
I do twice a week! I go to our local recycling center and they let me go through the large newspaper bin. So I guess I’m cheating a little bit, it’s not quite a dumpster! haha. Yeah I was embarassed at first too but after all the free stuff and even money made from all the deals I don’t care AT ALL anymore! haha
For those of you who “dumpster dive” at the recycling centers, do you get intact coupon inserts? Do you get enough that you wouldn’t need to buy any newspapers?
If I knew where one was, I WOULD SO BE THERE!!!!
Wow, who knew. I do know that many don’t use them or even look thru them. Happy dumpster diving!
I do the coffee shop thing. Ever since I happened to go to one on a Sunday afternoon (not even thinking about coupons) and I saw the huge stack of papers that had been left behind during the day…I think I got about 5 papers worth of extra inserts that week—it was like a little gold mine!!
I can really use those coupons! Didn’t get out on Sunday , due to homework overload!
I started dumpster diving last year! A local newspaper guy dumps and entire stack of inserts every Sunday at the local library. It only has one of the two inserts but when there is a good coupon its stock up time! My husband even started diving after he saw all the money i save. We estimate i save around $10,000.00 a year diving! The “dumpsters” are actually recycling paper bins so no garbage to go through and i get tons of coupons. Got 20 free smoothie, frappe coupons for McDonalds 2 weeks ago!
If you live in a rural area, dumpster dive at the post office. Many require village residents to have a PO Box for $1 a year. If you make friends with the postmaster and workers (hard candy works well) they will ask customers for their inserts.
Best part is that I can score the big city inserts that are delivered to the PO Box.
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