Most of us ought to know the place our dumpsters are. A few of us would keep in mind the time we noticed one thing that look fairly fascinating. Upon a better look, you notice that the situation of the factor is actually good.
However you debate whether or not it is best to take it or not.
That’s your dumpster mind talking to you. In case you hear voices like this, you’re a combination of frugal, cheapskate, and environmentally pleasant.
What might you discover in Singapore’s yard dumpsters?
I used to suppose that folks throw away ineffective issues solely. Seems that folks throw away issues for all kinds of causes.
Slightly than let you know what will be discovered, I’ll share with you Colin’s early experiences discovering treasures in Singapore’s yard. Colin has been dumpster diving for the previous 7-8 years. Typically, he needs to clarify to his mates why he dumpster dives, what can he discover and what he appears like doing it.
So he chronicles his self-confessed cheapskate expertise in Extreme Cheapskate Singapore.
By the top of this text, you might have a greater thought of the treasures in a few of our dumpsters.
That is written from Colin’s standpoint.
Why I received All for Dumpster Diving
A number of years in the past, I give up my full-time job as a piano trainer. To make my financial savings last more, I began to observe YouTube movies on saving cash.
I chanced upon the American actuality sequence known as Excessive Cheapskates. They’ve completely different specialists displaying us easy methods to save in lots of excessive methods. The present is actually entertaining. And naturally, I did study a number of invaluable methods and life expertise from them.
I seen that each one the specialists saved saying that dumpster diving was nonetheless the easiest way to economize. Principally, because of this you look within the trash to search out helpful and costly objects.
Later, I watched movies of prime American dumpster divers in motion. They’d drive from dumpster to dumpster continuous and fill their vans or vehicles with mountain a great deal of great things.
Some even calculate the whole sum of money that they save by rescuing these TRASH-URES. Then they are going to brag and boast about it. You possibly can see their pleasure of their “trash” speaking.
After watching one full month of “tutorial” movies, I lastly determined to strive it out for myself. So under are my prime 12 tales from the previous couple of years of dumpster diving.
My First Night time
On my first evening, I used to be very nervous naturally. I introduced a grocery store trolley alongside. Inside only some minutes, I noticed about 12 big clear baggage of women garments, baggage and footwear. They have been the horny kind of apparels for younger ladies.
I went nearer to have a greater look and the situation was excellent. Immediately, I seen somebody behind me and she or he dropped one other large bag on the ground. The noise gave me a shock.
I received the braveness to ask her whether or not she was shifting home or not. She stated no. If she have been shifting, she wouldn’t throw away so many great things. She was renovating her flooring and that’s why the whole lot needed to go. She wasn’t going to have a flooring to place something on the very subsequent day.
Then she begged me to take the whole lot.
She stated that the whole lot was principally branded. I couldn’t consider my eyes. The stuff I discovered within the trash on my very first day was higher than something any of my YouTube dumpster heroes had ever discovered!! I used to be actually within the surreal twilight zone.
Definitely, I’d want to assist however these have been horny supermodel clothes for Miss Universe contestants. I used to be a man and I didn’t know what to do with them. In different phrases, I wasn’t ready to “cross-dress” as a supermodel simply to avoid wasting these garments, baggage and footwear from ending up within the incinerator.
Moreover, I didn’t know easy methods to “drag” the whole lot again both as a result of my trolley was too small. I had such an enormous haul on my first day and I wasn’t logistically ready. So I simply stated sorry and went away.
I’m positive your query now could be “Did you ever discover something that massive once more? ” The reply is not any. I assume it’s true once they say “inexperienced persons’ luck”. It applies each to casinos in addition to dumpsters. Hahaha. Such a disgrace as a result of proper now I understand how to ship cargo abroad.
Diving and Doing Good on the Similar Time
On my second evening, I discovered a real leather-based black Prada bag. It was so lovely and the workmanship was beautiful. Then I realised that the pocket inside had a tear. After all, no one would discover it as a result of it was inside. The outside leather-based appeared immaculate.
I used to be so completely happy that I couldn’t consider it. I’m an excessive cheapskate and I’d by no means spend cash on a bag like that. Principally, I received a free improve from PRATA to PRADA.
Later that evening, I discovered 2 large Ikea baggage of recent H&M and Eternally 21 garments subsequent to the dustbin. I believe there have been roughly 60 outfits. All of them appeared very nice and stylish.
Then I believed to myself. What ought to I do with this? As soon as once more, I’m a person however to be very trustworthy, I’m truly slim sufficient to suit into these clothes whereas most ladies wouldn’t. Haha.
Immediately, a wild and random thought got here into my thoughts. I ought to convey this residence and ask my tenant to convey to his office the subsequent day to ask the ladies there whether or not they believed that each one these got here from the trash or not.
No person believed it for positive, so I informed my tenant to throw the whole lot away in entrance of them to show that it was actual. Simply then, somebody stated, “Are you able to give the whole lot to me? My Filipino maid can ship these very cheaply to her village again residence in northern Philippines.”
After all I stated sure to that as a result of in the end something is healthier than throwing great things away, proper?
Afterwards, the maid would come to my place and take each small merchandise I discovered within the dustbin. I requested her why she solely took small stuff and her reply was that delivery cargo corporations charged by quantity however aeroplanes charged by weight.
In different phrases, large objects are costly for ships whereas heavy objects are costly for airways. I wager most of you didn’t know that and naturally I didn’t both.
Most of you recognize that this initiative that I began with this maid became a big challenge now with 1000’s of individuals in Singapore giving a whole bunch of Filipino maids in Singapore hundreds of thousands of small used objects.
Our web site for that’s
However please solely test it out after you learn this text. I nonetheless received 10 tales extra to go, proper? .
My Good friend Dickson’s Little Downside
After I received extra fashionable for dumpster diving, some mates needed me to show them easy methods to do it additionally. So I agreed however just for one participant at a time.
Dumpster diving will be harmful if you’re new and inexperienced. Most newbies wish to simply seize each bag they see however that’s not a good suggestion.
Typically there are damaged glass or nails protruding of wood planks. In case you see these, it is best to simply abandon that dumpster and transfer on to the subsequent one.
Your property has a whole bunch of dumpsters and the entire of Singapore has tens of 1000’s. It’s an inexhaustible useful resource identical to sea water or fallen tree leaves. Principally, your residence wouldn’t be capable of retailer the whole lot anyway.
However after all, that wouldn’t cease the hoarders. Oh my God! These hoarders preserve each good merchandise they discover. They preserve saying, “This prices cash, that prices cash, …..” So earlier than you recognize it, their houses are stuffed with stuff to the ceiling and so they can hardly stroll in their very own houses.
Though I dumpster dive many occasions greater than the hoarders, my room may be very empty. why? As a result of the Filipino maids take the whole lot and ship them as shortly as potential. My room appears like one thing from the duvet web page of a minimalist journal.
Let me now relate to you the curious story of my pal Dickson. He give up his profession younger and now dumpster dives for contemporary meals from shops and merchandise from residential dumpsters.
His total home, besides his bed room, is stuffed with great things to the ceiling. The spouse threatened to divorce him until he cleared the mountain.
Some males clearly discover ladies arduous to grasp. You don’t give them something, they get offended with you. You give them some issues, they’re proud of you.
If you give them much more issues, they’re even happier, however whenever you give them too many issues, they wish to divorce you!!
Males are typically completely different. Extra issues = higher. When the home explodes = finest. So ladies comply with the bell curve. Males comply with y = 100x straight line upwards.
Anyway, again to the story. Dickson panicked and requested me for assist. I despatched a group of maids to his place to filter out the whole lot. I even supplied to pay for the van value. It took a number of van hundreds to clear the whole lot. It was such a satisfying second when everybody benefited from this decide up.
An fascinating story that I can’t neglect about Dickson was that he discovered a reside stingray within the trash one evening. Somebody most likely broke the glass aquarium by chance. As a substitute of transferring the stingray to a pail, he determined to throw the whole lot away.
After all, Dickson didn’t know what to do. However he significantly needed to assist. Then he introduced it residence and put it in a pail. He requested me for assist and I posted the data and the photograph on social media.
One apartment supervisor contacted us to place it within the apartment’s enormous fish pond. I believed that it was a superb thought. Sadly, Dickson rejected it. He defined that stingrays have been backside feeders.
In case you don’t know what he’s saying, it implies that once they feed the fishes, the meals will probably be eaten up earlier than any may even attain the underside for the poor man to eat. In different phrases, good guys at all times end final. There wasn’t any “ray” of hope. Life is hard, at occasions it even “stings”.
Later, somebody texted us and stated that he simply purchased a brand new tank and was about to go to a fish store to purchase a stingray. Dickson was happy with the man’s sincerity and he got here that very same day to select the ray up.
When the Police Resolve to Take a Look
I introduced somebody for dumpster diving coaching one evening. Really, he didn’t actually need a lot coaching since he was already digging within the trash since younger. His father taught him how to take action.
Nevertheless, he’s solely what we name a CASUAL dumpster diver. Which means he simply picks up stuff which he stumbles upon on the best way to someplace else.
Really, you may already turn into a hoarder by doing that since there’s a lot stuff to search out every day.
On the opposite excessive, I’m often called a COMMANDO dumpster diver. I attempt to get as a lot as potential as a result of I’ve an enormous quota to satisfy. Some folks dumpster dive loads to promote as a result of it’s their supply of revenue. However I dive loads to replenish delivery containers to learn poor folks within the Philippines.
Anyway, we have been having fun with ourselves going by way of the trash and a police automotive stopped in entrance of us. We have been shocked as a result of the trash space was fairly darkish and out of the blue it turned very shiny from the car gentle.
The police approached us and requested us what we have been doing. I used to be a bit afraid however my pal simply continued to dig the trash and ignored the police completely.
I defined that we have been digging for the great things within the trash to ship to poor folks within the Philippines with the assistance of our Catholic church members. The police have been shocked. Then I confirmed them a brand new Coach bag which I discovered and a pile of garments and toys.
The police couldn’t consider that anybody would do that. I simply informed them that God had been beneficiant to me and in flip, I needs to be useful to the much less lucky. They praised me for my initiative and left.
In addition they informed me that it was their job to verify on folks digging the dustbin to confirm in the event that they have been hardship circumstances. Principally, they only needed to verify that I wasn’t consuming from the trash resulting from starvation.
And as you’ll count on, my pal wasn’t even taking note of what I used to be saying to the police in any respect.
Eye roll.
Some Treasures will Fill Your Abdomen
As soon as I used to be dumpster diving in the course of the daytime, which was uncommon for me. Then somebody tapped me from behind on the shoulder. I received a fright!!
It was a Seize supply man. He handed me an enormous bag of meals to me. He stated that he went to ship some meals however the individual was not at residence. Then he stated that I appeared pitiful digging the trash, so he needed to reward me with a superb meal for the numerous nights after I went to mattress hungry.
Then I defined to him that I used to be truly digging the trash to ship to poor folks abroad, however after all, he didn’t trouble to take heed to me. He simply shortly sped off in his bike like a pace demon or a bat out of hell.
My tenant and I opened up the bag and there have been many packing containers of steak inside. The invoice was round $70. The meals was nonetheless sizzling and contemporary. What a deal with! I believe that the Seize supply man most actually felt the ache of throwing such good and costly meals away.
As soon as, I additionally discovered some good gourmand meals in a bag on the park bench. It was round $60 from crystal jade restaurant. Nothing was touched. The meals was nonetheless sizzling.
One other evening, I discovered an enormous field of stir-fried king prawns, nonetheless sizzling too. The strangest one was when I discovered a whole birthday cake in a field on the metallic desk beneath my block precisely on my birthday.
However one evening, I didn’t have the identical luck with meals. My tenant and I have been dumpster diving for enjoyable. Then we noticed two medium packing containers close to a bin. I kicked it to see if there was something inside, which was the same old process most dumpster divers did.
It was actually heavy so we received excited and tore the packing containers open. The packing containers have been very tightly sealed with scotch tape. We discovered numerous floor black pepper inside. Immediately we considered delivery the whole lot to the Philippines in order that poor folks there might use it to boost their cooking.
So every of us carried one field again residence. Then out of the blue a automotive drove into the automotive park and stopped proper in entrance of us. Then a person got here out of the automotive and took the packing containers from us and left shortly.
Then my pal stated, “Oh, the man forgot. That’s why he got here again.” I stated that most certainly, he robbed the financial institution and put floor pepper on prime of the cash to hide it and forgot concerning the packing containers. Anyway, we are going to by no means know.
No matter life goes on.
The Costly Treasures Each Discovered
After I first began digging within the dustbin, typically folks had 2 kinds of response in the direction of me.
First is, “What you’re doing for the poor is admirable however I wouldn’t do it as a result of it’s smelly and disgusting. However I may also help you by donating my undesirable objects to your charity.”
Second is, “In case you ever discover any branded objects, you name me and move to me. Don’t give the maids. Give them solely the decrease finish objects that I don’t need.”
Okay, I saved this a secret for a extremely very long time. However these are the next costly objects that I’ve discovered.
Inside the first few days of dumpster diving, I discovered a Seiko watch and a Rolex watch. I didn’t know if the Rolex was actual or not. So I went to YouTube to analysis. They stated to look out for 10 distinctive options.
Primary – sure
Quantity two – sure
Quantity three – sure
My coronary heart began pumping quicker and quicker identical to a contestant in a sport present. When it reached quantity ten, they talked about the course of the seconds hand. It was mistaken!! I suppose 9 out of 10 ain’t dangerous. The watch was lovely and the time was appropriate.
The second Rolex that I discovered was much more beautiful than the primary. I’m not a watch individual, so I didn’t preserve any.
One evening, I noticed a bag of workplace stuff and inside have been some watches. Seiko, Fossil, French connection and many others. Then I noticed one extraordinarily dusty watch. I needed to throw it away at first however one thing informed me to maintain it.
I took some moist wipes to scrub it the next day. The watch was essentially the most lovely of all. It was simply sheer class however I by no means heard of the model earlier than.
It was IWC Schaffhausen. I used to be questioning why a pleasant watch would wish to name itself WC. After I posted on my Fb, one pal informed me to maintain it. She stated that she labored in responsibility free earlier than and this watch was very costly. I googled it and noticed that it was greater than $10,000 if it was genuine.
Nevertheless, it was not working and the face was too large for my wrist. I’ve a small wrist which is finest fitted to {the teenager}’s $20 Casio water proof watch.
So I went to the watch store close by. I informed the person that I needed a brand new battery. So he mounted it.
Sadly, it nonetheless didn’t work. So he opened it and checked. He stated that one thing was damaged and it will value $180 to repair it.
I requested him if it was actual. He checked out me blankly for a number of seconds and stated, “After all it’s actual. You imply you acquire it and also you don’t know that it’s actual?”
Then I screamed so loudly that I believe the watch uncle’s spectacles nearly broke. Fortunately, there was nobody else within the store, in any other case, some components of their our bodies would crack additionally.
I additionally had the same case with a Breitling watch. I discovered it collectively in an enormous pile of trash along with 3 Seiko watches and some Louis Vuitton wallets.
The strap was worn out however my neighbour liked it. So she introduced it to the shop to get a alternative. Everybody on the retailer saved gazing it. They requested my neighbour how a lot she purchased it. She stated, “I don’t know. My neighbour gave it to me.”
Then they laughed and stated, “Wah, your neighbour may be very wealthy and likes you numerous. This watch is round $20,000.” I believe my neighbour almost broke her excessive heels and fell on the ground. Hahaha. Hilarious.
How A lot Cash Does Singaporeans Throw Away?
that some mates will be very irritating. They preserve asking me if I ever discovered cash within the trash. In case you imply a number of cash, then after all. In case you imply a number of {dollars}, then after all. However in the event you imply a number of hundred {dollars}, then after all additionally. Haha.
As soon as, I noticed a small bag. After I opened it, there was $640 inside. It was thrown along with numerous different baggage. I believe most certainly somebody died.
I prayed to Jesus for steerage and I made a decision to provide all of it to my Filipino maids to pay for his or her packing containers to ship our “trash-ures” again to their residence villages.
Individuals at all times say pray for a miracle to drop from above. I don’t know why folks say such issues. In my case, I pray for a miracle from under, as in deep deep under the trash can. Hahaha
A pal of mine discovered a $1,000 be aware in between outdated newspapers within the trash. He says that outdated folks like to do that. Then I remembered that my grandmother stated that outdated folks wish to preserve cash in Milo tins.
Hmmm, so in the event you ever see Milo tins within the trash and so they look actually outdated….. hmmmm…. you considering what I’m considering?
As soon as, I discovered a bag of 43 one greenback cash. I used it and paid for my electrical energy invoice on the submit workplace. And as soon as I noticed a pile of Chinese language New Yr pink packets. I simply took the highest one and there was $10 inside. I used to be feeling the luck and so I went by way of the whole pile. Sadly, the remainder had nothing inside. Properly, it’s the regulation of first-time fortunate once more.
I additionally discovered one thing which appeared invaluable however I didn’t know what the market worth was. They have been British King George stamps with the envelopes intact. It’s not Queen Elizabeth’s father. It’s her grandfather, the one with the beard. I discovered various his stamps additionally. I really like the design, so regal and majestic.
I additionally discovered an enormous King Edward coin. He was Queen Elizabeth’s nice grandfather. I instructed my pal to promote it on-line and we prayed that we might get sufficient to eat a McDonald’s Large Mac meal every. Then nearly immediately, somebody transferred $80 to us. We have been so glad. We might now eat the Large Mac meal, upsized with further ice cream sundaes.
However deep in my coronary heart, I used to be considering that possibly the man resold it to Sotheby public sale or the British museum. I shortly informed myself, “Please snap out of this, simply benefit from the burger.”
And if any of you recognize the true price of that coin and wish to remark under. My suggestion to you is PLEASE DON’T. I’d reasonably not know. All I do know is, large Mac is extra tasty than outdated king Edward coin.
If someday within the distant future, I see the British prime minister current my coin to the long run King Charles throughout his coronation as a royal present, I’ll shortly swap off the television and go to the bathe and cry.
For the Gadget Freaks
I discover numerous good electronics additionally. I discovered a really new large display television on the trash of a well-known electronics retailer. Then I realised the plastic stand was cracked.
Sadly, it was too heavy for me to convey again plus it was means after midnight and I couldn’t get anybody to assist me both. Such a disgrace!
As soon as I discovered 2 large television units close to my place and I contacted my pal. Then his father got here to gather from me with a automotive.
A number of nights later, I carried a bag from the trash. As soon as once more, the burden of the bag ought to point out whether or not there’s great things inside or not.
I might see solely 2 half eaten styrofoam packets of rice nevertheless it was very heavy. Naturally, I needed to examine. There was a pleasant and modern laptop computer inside that had the label MacBook Professional.
I’m a PC Microsoft home windows person. Throughout my college days within the mid 90s, nearly everybody would go for the PC as an alternative of the Apple. Everybody stated that Apple was tough to make use of, so the part can be very empty.
So, I by no means received myself to study to make use of any Apple merchandise. I simply prevented them completely. It was too completely different for me.
I didn’t know what to do with the laptop computer, so my tenant and I agreed that if no one got here to our place to select it up, we might use it as a kitchen chopping board. The graceful metallic floor was so beautiful and glossy. It might absolutely improve our meals preparation expertise.
So round 3am, I posted it on social media. I don’t recall my precise phrases however my commercial was one thing like this.
I discovered a MacBook Professional laptop computer within the trash tonight. I don’t know if it’s working as a result of I don’t know easy methods to use it. I’m a home windows person. If no one needs this, I’ll use as a chopping board primarily for roast pork and “char siew”. Time to exchange the outdated chopping board.
Then after I pressed enter, 30 folks responded to order it. Some needed to come back to my place immediately. However I noticed my pal on the record. I texted him to say that I’d reasonably give it to him as an alternative since I didn’t know who the remainder have been.
He stated that he had no cash for a taxi to my place and again with midnight fees. I informed him that it was okay. I’d cover the laptop computer in my canine’s pram. He got here early within the morning to take it though he lived very far-off.
He went residence to check it and he stated that the display was broken. I advised to him to HDMI hook up with the massive television that I gave him a number of days earlier. Guess what, it labored completely.
I requested him whether or not he was pleased with it for the reason that electrical value can be increased. He stated that his father didn’t thoughts. They have been simply glad to have an enormous display pc to make use of for the whole value of “free”! I used to be very glad additionally. Are you able to think about each the television and the laptop computer going into the land fill as a working set?
There’s one other fascinating tech story additionally and I’m going to get a lot criticism for this one. I’m already ready.
One evening, I noticed a really large black machine within the trash. It was so heavy that I might hardly transfer it. I didn’t know what it was. I noticed the phrase COOLER MASTER. So I believed it was a fan nevertheless it didn’t seem like a fan. Then I believed it was a fridge nevertheless it wasn’t both.
So I believed to myself, why is there the phrase COOLER? Is that this the brand new kind of Ice Kachang machine? Or seven eleven slurpee?
Then I went residence to inform my mates. Their eyeballs almost dropped. They stated that it was a excessive finish sport machine. Their instruction was “Return and get it!!”. However I stated that I didn’t know if it was working or not. They stated by no means thoughts. We might take a look at out first and ask the service man to come back if wanted.
I replied, “Is asking the service man to come back price it?” Their reply was, “You know the way costly that is?!! Rapidly go!”
So, I returned again regardless of being tremendous drained. However after I reached there, it was gone. My mates almost died from coronary heart ache however I used to be completely high-quality as a result of I used to be not a gamer. A number of days later, I discovered a working PS3 and sure, this time I took it and handed it to my pal. Hahaha.
The Oil Portray
I’m a really rural kampong kind of individual. All these excessive tech devices don’t excite me. After all I do have a desktop, a laptop computer, 2 tablets and 4 cellphones. Hahaha. However I don’t go loopy after I discover devices within the trash, not like my geeky mates. Face Palm.
I let you know what I am going loopy about. I really like the excessive finish large soup pots from the German model WMF. I discover a lot of them within the trash. I saved one for myself to prepare dinner soups and one other one for my tenant to steam warmth his meals in a metallic tingkat. The remainder I move to the maids to ship to Philippines.
I discover soup pots very helpful. I discover numerous unopened packet meals and just lately expired canned meals. Typically I discover good greens thrown behind shops. I prepare dinner them collectively to make a soup within the Filipino “pagpag” type. Principally, the poor within the Philippines go and accumulate contemporary meals thrown in excessive finish eating places. They wash it and prepare dinner in sizzling boiling soup.
I actually discover tonnes and tonnes of kitchenware however I simply preserve a number of. The remainder are shipped overseas. As soon as I discovered a whole bunch of ceramic plates with dragons and phoenix designs. So beautiful and imperial. They seem like the sort you discover in a shipwrecked Chinese language junk ship.
The maids love these, so I give the whole lot to them.
Talking of excessive finish imperial objects, I additionally discover quite a lot of elm, rose wooden, and teak furnishings. My neighbour likes them, so I move to her. She places them in her Malaysian home. Among the furnishings appears like they’ve been stolen from the Peking Forbidden Metropolis in China. However my coverage is monkey don’t see, monkey don’t hear and monkey don’t have to know any additional particulars. Monkey simply shamelessly take.
As soon as I noticed an actual oil portray of goldfishes with Chinese language calligraphy. It was very large. I believe it was about 5 metres lengthy. It was of higher high quality than no matter I’ve ever seen in Chinese language museums.
I simply stared at it for a couple of minutes and walked off. There was nothing I might do. I solely had a grocery store trolley basket that outdated women use.
Then I informed my finest pal about it. He’s some filthy wealthy one who lives within the penthouse of some luxurious apartment advanced with a personal carry. that kind. You “love” to hate kind.
He scolded me. He informed me to return and get it and he would ship his employees to select up one other day.
Are you kidding me? It’s not a daily portray. The place am I suppose to place it? I reside in a small residence and my canine would definitely wish to add some further “inventive embellishment” onto it. Then I stated okay, I’ll strive my finest.
Guess what? As soon as once more, it was gone!! That’s why on this planet of dumpster diving, the primary rule is Take First Remorse Later. I believe my pal remains to be cursing and swearing at me until at the present time. In my desires, I can nonetheless hear him saying, “You know the way a lot that prices or not?!” Aiyoh.
Talking of work, I noticed one which appeared just like the Mona Lisa. It was an oil portray with brush strokes identical to Leonardo Da Vinci’s. From a really shut inspection, it was very refined. Individuals strolling on the void deck have been gazing it. Sure, I do know what you’re considering, yet one more Vatican museum artwork heist. Hahaha.
I noticed a number of superior Chinese language wooden carved thrones additionally. There was one European one additionally, identical to the sort utilized by Queen Elisabeth. The chinese language one was too heavy and the European one was too far-off. So I didn’t convey both of them residence. I name these the “thrown thrones”. Severely, somebody ought to make a tongue tornado out of this.
Barter Buying and selling Fragrance with Fortune Telling
One evening I discovered many sealed packing containers stacked on prime of one another within the trash. I kicked them and so they have been heavy. I opened them up and so they have been all hair colouring dyes. There have been some very aromatic shampoos additionally. The hairdresser store closed down, that’s why.
I grabbed the whole lot I might put in my trolley and went residence. The load was an excessive amount of for the trolley to bear and the wheels got here off. There have been a number of hundred packing containers. Some had colors not present in nature. these cosplay kind of colors?
The maids got here to my place the subsequent day and I requested them what to do. They stated that they might convey the whole lot to Fortunate plaza mall and provides them to a hairdresser there who was their pal.
I stated okay after all since I had no intention of dyeing my hair metallic purple. The hairdresser gave my maids some free hair therapy and she or he gave me $50 for good luck. Yeah!!
I had one other stroke of fine luck additionally. I learn the information that the costliest authorities housing was situated subsequent to my block. There are some authorities landed properties close by. That very evening I discovered quite a lot of great things close to that home. There was a model new excessive finish sennheiser head telephones. It was nonetheless within the packaging.
This was after all not the costliest merchandise I discovered nevertheless it was positively essentially the most helpful one for me. I take advantage of it on a regular basis after I take heed to music. The sound is impeccable. On separate days, I discovered different sennheisers additionally plus audio technica, Sony, and many others. As you’ll count on, I discovered guitars and amplifiers additionally. I even discovered the automotive audio system in full set.
As soon as I discovered a number of hundred model new bottles of Bel-air perfume diffuser. I didn’t actually know what they have been however my pal needed them. So I handed them over to her. She was so completely happy. She stated that they have been very costly. I requested her to purchase me dinner. She stated no drawback. The loot was price 1000’s. Hahaha.
After dinner, she stated that the meal was too low-cost for me, so she would do for me a fortune telling session at no cost additionally. She was an expert fortune teller.
I stated okay. Positive. However deep inside me, I truly needed her to purchase me a burger and a few fries as an alternative.
Her readings have been :
a) I’m going to die very wealthy
b) I’ll have a automotive accident in my lifetime
Goodness, after listening to that, I didn’t know easy methods to “un-hear” it. Rattling it, subsequent time I’ll keep in mind to ask for burgers as an alternative. No extra physic readings.
Oh, she did a tarot card studying for me additionally. The primary card I selected was the wolf howling. Sure, positively higher than selecting demise. I attempted once more and it was nonetheless the identical card. The third time additionally.
There was just one wolf in the whole thick deck of playing cards. I believe in a on line casino setting, I’d have gained the mega jackpot already. the one with the loud siren and plenty of cash falling on the ground?
However you recognize what she stated? She stated, “Your canine at residence misses you, so that you higher take a taxi and return now.”
Talking of supernatural issues, I remembered as soon as in the course of the hungry ghost month, I went out to take all of the fruits again residence after the prayers have been over. Then I took a photograph and posted it on social media.
I wakened the subsequent day and I noticed my photograph on the Google information feed. I believed I used to be dreaming. Perhaps I used to be nonetheless sleepy. Then I appeared rigorously. A Chinese language newspaper wrote an article about me and different freegans who rescued fruits from prayer choices.
Some netizens say we must always not do it as a result of after the spirits have “consumed” the fruits, the fruits will turn into tasteless. Others say that previously, folks often ate the meals choices and shared them round. These days, folks simply can’t be bothered and go away the whole lot on the bottom for the cleaners to clear the next day.
Again at residence, we have been consuming orange juice on a regular basis till we received scared. Thankfully some maids took some fruits and we nearly managed to eat all. So the underside line is SAY NO TO FOOD WASTE.
One other foolish factor occurred throughout ghost month additionally. As you recognize, many individuals will put their preloved objects correctly subsequent to the letter packing containers as a result of they need somebody to take them. They wish to show the whole lot prominently so that somebody like me will rescue them and put them to good use.
However this explicit individual went overboard. He needed to provide away good high quality blankets and bedsheets however as an alternative of placing them on the ground, he hung them on the tree. Then they have been blowing in every single place in a mystical means. Anyway, I pulled all of them down and shipped them to Philippines.
The Vibrator
This part is devoted to embarrassing dumpster diving adventures or reasonably, misadventures.
One evening, one Bangladeshi cleaner informed me to comply with him to the bin centre. He discovered a television and he needed to promote it to me cheaply. Television units are helpful in Philippines villages.
Then he gave me some baggage which he discovered additionally. I appeared by way of them and out of the blue I noticed one which was so beautiful. The leather-based was one of the best I’ve ever seen. I’ve seen the Prada, Gucci and Louis vuitton ones however this one felt extra luxurious.
At first, I couldn’t discover the model identify. Then I discovered it lastly. It was engraved on a metallic piece. It wrote HERMES. Then I involuntarily screamed out. All of the Bangladeshi cleaners there checked out me. They requested me what had occurred? I didn’t know what to say.
Later I stated, “Cockroach”. All people went again to do their work quickly after. Phew. I truly discovered 2 Hermes baggage that evening. Wahaha.
On one other evening, I went to the again of a block to analyze the dustbin. Then I noticed a person within the darkness. He was watching a video on the cellphone utilizing his left hand. In the meantime, he was utilizing his proper hand to “improve” the video viewing expertise. It was certainly a “palms on” method.
Then out of the blue he noticed me and received a shock. He shortly zipped his pants and shouted OUCH…!! Then the picture of the actor Ben Stiller within the film “There’s one thing about Mary” got here to my thoughts. I shortly walked away and for the remainder of the evening, I attempted to “un-think” it.
My final embarrassing episode went like this. One evening, my Spanish pupil was sitting with me on the void deck after class. He needed to study the language as a result of he needed to journey from Los Angeles to Argentina overland.
Then a younger woman and a younger man have been carrying a clear bag of very new clothes to throw away. I didn’t know what I used to be considering. I often don’t do that however I stated this to her.
“Hey, miss, we’re from the Catholic church and we ship good garments and different home items to the poor within the Philippines. Can I’ve your bag? The poor folks would like to have your objects inside. Your garments look very good.”
Her reply was completely what I by no means anticipated. She stated, “Subsequent time I’ll donate to your charity straight however this bag has private and personal objects which poor folks don’t need.”
My pal and I have been scratching our heads as a result of we completely didn’t perceive what she was saying.
Then they went away and we additionally went away for dinner. Throughout dinner, each of us couldn’t swallow our meals correctly. We couldn’t discuss some other matters both.
So we completed up our meals shortly and went again for her bag. At first there have been some good clothes, then some very new beneath clothes. Good high quality! Then there was a battery operated v*b**t**. No surprise she stated it was not appropriate for the Catholic church members to ship this to the poor within the Philippines.
I see. Now I perceive. Thriller solved. We will go for a correct supper now. Throughout supper, I purposely stated to my pupil, “Why the girl suppose that poor folks don’t want to make use of batteries?” My pupil didn’t really feel that there was a necessity to reply to that.
Oh, I almost neglect one other episode. I discovered a model new field of one thing within the trash. There was an image of a person in Paris with the Eiffel tower background and one among a girl in New York with the statute of liberty.
Then the field writes
USB chargeable. Activate your lover from overseas.
WiFi wanted.
Then my pal stated, “This needs to be a blue tooth speaker, however why it nonetheless wants WiFi?” My pal may be very geeky and nerdy, so pardon his innocence. Personally, I believe this has one thing to do with 5G or Bitcoin.
Miscellaneous Tales.
This part is for the miscellaneous small tales.
As soon as I noticed good black leather-based jackets thrown close to the carry. I went to have a greater look. They appeared actually costly. I wasn’t positive whether or not my Filipino maids would wish them or not as a result of it might not be chilly sufficient within the Philippines.
So I used to be considering. To take or to not take, that’s the query. However after all, quality-wise, it was unmatched. It appears like one thing from the Armani winter assortment.
Then a bicycle approached me and the rider rang the bell. I received up and went a brief distance away. Then the rider stopped in entrance of the jackets and took all of them. There have been round 4, and now there have been none. I couldn’t consider it. Why did he even want this in tremendous sizzling Singapore?
Rattling it. As soon as once more I reiterate, “Take First Remorse Later.”
At that exact same spot, I discovered a full swimsuit from Ermenegildo Zegna. It was price 1000’s of {dollars}. So this time spherical, I grabbed first. Wahaha.
My life lesson had been lastly discovered. I gave it to a maid who needed it for her son. It was truly my measurement however I had no use for it since dumpster divers don’t have to put on prime Italian fits to do our work.
I discover it annoying after I exit with mates all dressed properly and so they out of the blue flip round to me and say, “Please give me an indication of dumpster diving.” I’ll say no as a result of I’m carrying my clear garments. Then they are going to pester and pester continuous. So I quit and say, “okay, one minute demo solely”.
On the primary demo, we have been at Arab road. I randomly selected a store home with an enormous black trash bag. I opened it and guess what was inside. There have been gold and silver forks, knives and spoons with beautiful tea pots and high-quality plates and bowls. The following bag had an expresso espresso machine. The following had an enormous Christmas tree with full ornaments. The following had cups, saucers, sugars, salt, sauces, pepper, napkins and so forth. Think about we opened round 12 baggage in whole. Then I appeared up and noticed an indication.
Cafeteria closing down immediately.
My different pal drove over and we grabbed the whole lot we might. Everybody was shocked. I simply randomly selected a black rubbish bag and I struck the jackpot.
On one other event, my different pal pestered me once more. I agreed to a one minute demo too. I went to a trash can and kicked some packing containers subsequent to it. They have been tremendous heavy. We opened them to take a look.
The packing containers have been filled with frozen and marinated meat. There have been all kinds of meat. We simply grabbed no matter we needed. My pal went for the fish fillet. I attacked the satay. I didn’t understand how we introduced the whole lot again however we have been feasting the subsequent few days at residence.
We opened all the opposite packing containers and displayed the meat prominently in order that different folks may additionally take. These have been prime quality meats. We suspect that somebody organized an enormous gathering however not so many individuals turned up, so he threw away the extras.
That is actually coronary heart breaking for the one who paid for this. Moreover, I additionally hate it when animals die for nothing. So unhappy. However I attempted my finest. Meals is actually arduous to rescue finally minute discover.
As soon as I needed to strive one thing completely different and I dumpster dived at a cake store. There have been round 4 enormous baggage. I believe every was minimal 20 kilograms. I simply took one and ran away from the “crime scene”.
I carried it till my void deck beneath my block. After all, I didn’t wish to convey it residence. So I opened up and beginning sorting.
First there have been numerous buns and so they have been in particular person plastic baggage. These have been nice after all. There have been so many tuna ones which I liked.
Then there have been muffins and sandwiches which have been fused collectively. Instance, char siew with chocolate. Or otah with strawberry jam. Or tuna with kaya. Or sausages with peanut butter.
By some means among the cashier receipts have been caught on the creamy a part of the donut. And one of the best one was a scotch tape holder with the scotch tape caught within the centre of a birthday cake.
After I informed this to others, they stated,
“Wow, tonight we go and check out our luck.”
Oh my God!! What are they considering?!
My scariest episode was after I kicked a field and the field began to shake. Then it moved by itself. I used to be so scared. Then a cat jumped out of it and hit the wall and bounced off 90 levels to a different wall and bounced yet another time earlier than it landed on the automotive park flooring and disappeared into the darkness.
Wow, that have was so surreal. I lastly met the cat from the film The Matrix. Talking of encountering animals, as soon as a Jack Russell pet jumped out of a field within the dumpster and ran off regardless of an apparent limp on the leg. It was operating quicker than a cheetah, so I wasn’t in a position to assist it.
One evening I handed by a funeral wake after which I discovered many lovely women baggage in a dustbin close by. Some have been even new within the wrapper. I didn’t suppose a lot about it till I discovered a really new passport. The photograph was of an aged woman. So I took the passport and went to the coffin photograph to see in the event that they matched.
I couldn’t be completely sure as a result of I might solely have a fast look. However I believe it was her, in any other case who on this planet would throw away their new passport?
I handed the luggage to this maid. Then out of the blue her brother died within the Philippines. She begged me to permit her to promote the luggage to offset the funeral prices. I stated positive. Then I believed to myself. The baggage from one woman’s demise have been getting used to pay for one more funeral abroad. How superior is that!! That is zero waste at it’s finest, man!!
The identical coverage applies to the maids who wish to promote my dumpster trash-ures to pay for surgical procedure and hospital therapy. After all, I say sure to that. Jesus needs us to assist the sick and the poor. That is actually a really uncommon and extremely unconventional means of serving to the sick however it’s nonetheless of nice help to them.
Simply think about the great things in Singapore trash is paying for medical therapy of the poor abroad. No person earlier than was so “out of the field” to implement this in Singapore till a maid advised it to me and I believed that it was a superb thought.
Not too long ago, one among my Spanish college students needed me to information him on dumpster diving. He got here alongside and I informed him to not count on an excessive amount of. Some nights you will discover numerous stuff, different nights there isn’t a lot. It’s identical to fishing. There are too many unknowns.
At first, we discovered a number of objects for youths. Then out of the blue he discovered a working gaming head cellphone and he was thrilled. Later we discovered round 30 large baggage of stuff. We saved opening and located all kinds of stuff. My pupil took numerous devices like drones, ear buds, laptops and many others. I used to be attacking the garments, bedding and immediate noodles.
Then a woman got here as much as us and gave us extra issues. I informed her that I used to be from a Catholic church and we used our cash to ship these things to poor folks in Philippines. Then she began crying. She regretted not figuring out us earlier. She threw loads already and she or he was shifting the subsequent day.
Apparently, she had been throwing for the previous week. She actually began to cry. I felt so sorry for her. I informed her that I might have despatched 10 maids to her place to clear the whole lot in a single morning. Then she cried even louder. My pupil didn’t know what to say as a result of it was his first time dumpster diving.
That is such an unreal expertise for him. Later he whispered to me. The woman cried as a result of she couldn’t give her issues to us as a way to give the poor?
I stated sure after all. She clearly didn’t know what to do. Oh my good Lord. The timing was so dangerous.
In any case, we tried to take no matter we might convey again that evening. We couldn’t take the thick blankets. Our trolleys have been already bursting.
The following day, the maids got here to my home to ship our stuff out. Then I discussed the 5 thick blankets I didn’t take. They stated, “Sir, why? We would like these for villagers within the mountains?” Then she gave me that look.
Oh no, I felt so dangerous however I used to be already so drained and we got here residence at 4am with bodily ache in every single place. The blankets have been the excellent kind. I believe they retail for $500 to $700 in whole. Such a disgrace!
As soon as I discovered almost 10 cartons of this unknown smooth drink within the dumpster. I opened one can to try to it tasted like Pepsi. So I introduced the whole lot residence. I don’t know how I did it. It wasn’t even close to my home. I assume I used to be enticed by good drinks after a superb health club exercise. Hahaha.
The very subsequent evening at that very same dumpster, I discovered a whole bunch of recent lipsticks and eye shadows. It’s best to see me in motion. I used to be a center aged man grabbing a whole bunch of cosmetics within the dustbin at 2am within the morning. Simply attempt to visualize that. I believe some beauty store closed down. In any other case, how do you clarify this?
I keep in mind additionally discovering numerous toys which I used to play with whereas rising up within the 70s. You would possibly keep in mind Outdated Maid, Aeroplane Flying Playing cards, Mastermind, Racing automotive playing cards, Chinese language checkers, and many others. After I was younger, I couldn’t afford to purchase these. Now, I get them at no cost within the dustbin however then once more, now I’m additionally sufficiently old to be a grandfather. Sigh, dangerous timing once more.
Oh, I discovered a pleasant Darth Vader helmet within the trash however as soon as once more, I realised that it wasn’t fairly 1978 anymore. Nevertheless it’s high-quality. A minimum of I’m nonetheless “staying alive”.
Typically folks throw a lot great things that I can work the whole midnight shift gathering the whole lot. As soon as I used to be shocked to see so many college college students ready on the bus cease.
I used to be questioning what they have been doing there. Then I took out my cellphone and realised that it was already 6am. Are you able to think about that I began at 8pm and ended at 6am? And I used to be nonetheless not carried out but?!
In case you ask me the retail worth of the merchandise I get in a single good evening, I’d say simply $20,000. I solely rescue objects that look new. I’m very explicit about my high quality management. The maids know this about me. That’s why each article that I decide from the trash will 100% assured be chosen to be shipped to Philippines.
Individuals ask me how the pandemic has affected my dumpster diving. The humorous factor is that the pandemic truly helped loads. Earlier than covid, I used to should endure a number of dumpsters which have been smelly. Additionally I needed to go late at evening so that folks wouldn’t see my face. However now with the masks, it’s extra like dumpster heaven.
I don’t odor something dangerous and no one can see my face. How come I by no means considered this earlier than? Earlier than covid, I believed solely dentists wore masks. I didn’t even know that we might simply purchase them from a pharmacy and use them for digging trash. Oh effectively, one big leap for human sort.
Greens
Individuals at all times ask me for my prime dumpster diving journey. I believe it’s assembly this vegetable store proprietor Daniel Yap who’s now well-known for rescuing contemporary fruit and veggies from wholesale markets in Singapore.
Individuals like to match him to me as a result of each of us rescue mountains of helpful objects that folks don’t need anymore to provide to poor individuals who need them.
I rescue merchandise to ship to villages in Philippines and he rescues perishable meals to provide to native folks.
Let me make this story as brief as potential.
One evening a number of years in the past, my pal and I went purchasing for electronics in Little India. After that, my pal stated to me.
“Colin, you’re an professional in digging the dustbin for costly stuff to ship to Philippines. So can you discover some greens for me to prepare dinner for one week?”
I stated positive. That’s really easy as a result of Little India is well-known for grocery shops throwing away fruit and veggies in excellent situation.
So I randomly picked a dumpster to open. Inside was filled with carrots, cucumbers, bottle drinks and many others. The drinks have been expired by solely someday!
I grabbed the drinks and my pal went for the greens. Immediately, a person got here as much as us and, with a loud and fierce voice, stated, “What are you all doing?”
My pal most likely urined in his pants on the spot. I used to be nonetheless calm however I believed I would find yourself within the police station later.
I informed the person that we have been rescuing edible meals to eat. I informed him that he ought to take all these good meals and provides it to poor folks or any group or no matter as a result of something is healthier than throwing contemporary meals that folks want into the trash.
After I stated this, I used to be already ready to go to the police station. My pal appeared like Medusa had already turned him into stone.
Guess what!! The person liked my thought and as a Buddhist, he knew that throwing away good meals was dangerous karma. Giving good meals was good karma however he didn’t know whom to provide to.
After some thought, he stated that he might begin by blessing a vegetarian Hare Krishna affiliation. I agreed that it was an awesome thought however deep inside my pal and I have been solely planning our escape.
After all as you recognize, the remainder is historical past. He later rescued mega tonnes of perishables from the wholesale market to distribute to outdated of us or low revenue households.
Proper now, he’s most happy stocking up group fridges round Singapore. I’ll present the hyperlink to his video under.
We hardly ever see one another these days as a result of we don’t rescue the identical kind of things. Perishables are for native consumption and merchandise is for cargo export. That’s why we by no means meet.
Final Phrase
I hope that you just take pleasure in all these little brief tales by Colin. Do be happy to comply with him on Fb in the event you want to.
Right here is a short documentary on Colin:
A number of weeks in the past, I recalled the times the place I immerse myself within the freegan motion (you may learn Freegan, Dumpster Diving and Financial Security, Independence).I needed to share Colin’s expertise as a result of their expertise might significantly shift your perspective about sure key line objects in your bills.
You probably have by no means encounter the opposite facet of Singapore meals, this documentary of Daniel Yap provides you a glimpse of it:
If you wish to make it possible for the stuff you don’t need, might finally move to the poorer folks in Philippines, now you recognize a method to bless them. Chances are you’ll ask: “Kyith, why solely Philippines??” The reality is… sending it to different nations value loads! Simply sending 1kg of stuff again to Myanmar value like S$6! Colin revealed that sadly, solely Philippines is the one place you may ship that’s more economical.
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Kyith is the Proprietor and Sole Author behind Funding Moats. Readers tune in to Funding Moats to study and construct stronger, firmer wealth foundations, easy methods to have a Passive funding technique, know extra about investing in REITs and the nuts and bolts of Lively Investing.
Readers additionally comply with Kyith to learn to plan effectively for Monetary Safety and Monetary Independence.
Kyith labored as an IT operations engineer from 2004 to 2019. At the moment, he works as a Senior Options Specialist in Price-only Wealth Advisory agency Providend.
You possibly can view Kyith’s current portfolio here, which makes use of his Free Google Stock Portfolio Tracker.
His funding dealer of selection is Interactive Brokers, which permits him to put money into securities from completely different exchanges everywhere in the world, at very low fee charges, with out custodian charges, close to spot foreign money charges.
You possibly can learn extra about Kyith here.
