Dumpster Diving Diva!by Nicole Humphrey | More from this Blogger 25 Jul 2006 07:59 PM Since the Deals-a-go-go (DAGGS) merge with families.com, there has been a bustle of activity over on the forums. For someone like me, a die-hard frugal gal, their concepts were made just for me. Between coupons, and stockpiling and trading and scouring ads, it's almost like a full time job. In the past week I've learned more about how to clip my coupons, how to save them, what to do with them, when to use them and how many I should have, that I am overwhelmed by all the information. But slowly, I am processing everything and my brain is adjusting to it's new storage capacity. I might look confused, or maybe even sound confused, but slowly, it's making sense. In fact, about a week ago I read a post about how to get more coupons in my possession. I love coupons and have clipped coupons since I was on my own at 18. The best part, I actually use them. However, I've been using them all wrong, and that's what I am learning about now. And now I want more, and more and I can't get enough. I've called my family and friends and asked them to save the coupons for me, and that's being done. I've asked my neighbors too. But someone posted about a concept called Dumpster Diving. Apparently, a die hard coupon collector is supposed to go to the newspaper recycling bins for newspapers and literally - dumpster dive.
My son climbed into the dumpster and sat amongst thousands of newspapers. He would throw a bag out here and there for me to go through. I found about 15 inserts on my own and he found 5 or 6. In fairness he didn't know what he was looking for and had to keep asking me, "Is this one?". It was sweet. But you know, we had fun, we laughed a lot and I got stung by a wasp. Ok, so that wasn't so cool, but guess what - I'll do it again! Except for the wasp! My boyfriends 11 year old daughter thought we were a little crazy when we came back with the coupon inserts and laughed. But she thought the electronic gaming magazines my son found in the dumpster were cool. So you see a little dumpster diving never hurt anyone. I have hundreds of coupons I can use, we had fun, and I'm finally learning the right way to use a coupon! Better still, I'm now a dumpster diving diva! Check out the deals forum to learn how to use a coupon the correct way, but be prepared - it's addicting! Nicole Humphrey writes articles for the Scrapbooking Blog and for the Frugal Blog. She also guest blogs on a variety of topics. You can read more of her articles by clicking here. Related Articles: Two Of The Biggest Ways American's Waste Money In the Kitchen More Ways American's Waste Money In The Kitchen Freezer Cooking For Your Family Essential Items For Freezer Cooking Great Ways To Cut Food Costs Part 1 Great Ways to Cut Your Food Costs Part 2 Great Ways to Cut Your Food Costs Part 3 Saving Money On Groceries part one Saving Money on Groceries part two Saving Money on Groceries part three Learn more about Nicole Humphrey  Nicole Humphrey is a freelance writer, consultant for CTMH and a Sr. Blogger for families.com. She resides in St. Charles, Missouri with Mike and their five children and two furbabies. Relevantfrugal tags User Comments Andrea M (2525) 31 Jul 2006 06:33 AMYou have become the diva of dumpster diving and have taught me well! I am going to have to do it with you!  Nicole Humphrey (15757) 31 Jul 2006 06:42 PMJump on board! We can hit them this week LOL I'm addicted - what have these DAGG people done to me? LOL I love them! Community Tags Coupons, dumpster diving, finding coupons, free coupons, great coupons Discuss this article
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And that is just what I did today. Dragging my 11 year old son in tow, we actually had to drop off some bags of clothing in the little yellow clothes houses. Right next to it, at my son's middle school is a newspaper recycle bin. I was eying it from the moment we pulled up. I decided to go for it.
