SCer being a "smart canuck"

[melissafle]

I know a lot of people find it distasteful, but while heading my my mom's last week I scanned the curbs (bulk garbage day in my neighborhood this week).

Backstory: I've been looking for a cheap ceiling fan since April because we can't afford to get air conditioning this year after my hub's car broke down.

Success!: a nice, clean-looking ceiling fan at curbside. I thought for a minute and then reversed and tossed it in my trunk. (All cleaned up by me now and running smoothly in my hallway :D)

Backstory: I have been looking for a replacement pad for my daughter's highchair. It is a "costco" one, I bought it used and it wasn't in great condition but did the trick for $10. Well, then while trying to clean it I ripped the padding beyond repair so the poor dear has been sitting directly on the plastic for a month.

Success!: An older, but excellent condition peg perego high chair. (All cleaned up, searched for recalls, checked for damage, checked for stability - good to go!)

Backstory: My daughter's carseat carrier is second hand from my sister. I know it is safe and meets safety requirements but the fabric is severely faded and a little worse for wear. No biggie - I did look into replacement covers but they are $15-$70 so I gave up on the dream.

Success!: Same model carseat but newer - would loved to have just swapped them as this is a 22lb - 29inch and mine is 20lb - 26 inch but because I don't know the history I just yoinked the pretty new fabric. (All clean and making my daughter's carrier look brand-spankin'-new!).

I got no shame! I accomplished 3 things I have been trying to do for months for $0. :D

[papillon]

When I first started out in my very first student home, ALL of my furniture was second hand. I knew who owned my bed before me at least lol

[papillon]

Wait, not just second hand. All of it was from the curb, cleaned up and used. Except my bed which was just second hand haha

[cheepsqueek]

Awesome. Just think of how you are saving the environment!!

[akitakara]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong... but isn't going through another person's garbage technically illegal or something? (along the lines of invasion of privacy)

Don't get me wrong, this is a great thing, but just be careful of any complaints

[melissafle]

Once it hits the curb it is on public property (depending on the property, I guess. But my area it is). That's why you don't need a warrant to search garbage on t.v.

^^ too much law & order.

[avoncallingu]

I'm so glad you were able to get these things that you needed! - All the stars aligned to help you out! Good going!

[WAKEFORSOUL]

Once it hits the curb it is on public property (depending on the property, I guess. But my area it is). That's why you don't need a warrant to search garbage on t.v.

^^ too much law & order.

Was it on june12th? that is when we have free for all day anyways.

To those who don't know ... we don't have heavy duty pick up here in the city of Barrie but once a year you are allowed to put out anything to the curb for people to go through and take free of charge

[carlyincanada]

WTG! FREE is great & saving it from going to the dump!

[coupon girl]

wow thats great -0 is great -cheaper than using coupons haha- my neice in burlington,ont got a patio set from someones garbage

[joseff]

Was it on june12th? that is when we have free for all day anyways.

To those who don't know ... we don't have heavy duty pick up here in the city of Barrie but once a year you are allowed to put out anything to the curb for people to go through and take free of charge

We have those twice, it's called "Treasure Day" here..items at the curb before 7am and taken off by 7pm....and you see people in huge trucks going around the city...I'm never up that early to go look!

[amandamck]

I think what your doing is great. I purposely put good things to the curb one day early before the garbage comes so that someone will take it. Saves me taking it to the thrift store! LOL

[macw1960]

WTG. It's nice to know that people really do use the items that get left out on the curb. I often wonder when I put stuff at the end of our driveway if it gets put to good use. No more thrift store in town as it burnt down.

[purpleniny]

if this is Toronto I would be VERY CAREFUL about picking furniture up in the trash there is a HUGE BEDBUG problem here. Please be very careful about what you bring into your house/apt. A free chair is not worth having to throw out tons of stuff, MAJOR cleaning/spraying and having you and your children BITTEN!

[ninna]

When I first started out in my very first student home, ALL of my furniture was second hand. I knew who owned my bed before me at least lol

lol. Everything I owned when I was a student was second hand too--gifts from family, yard sales, Sally-Ann, and yes, the occasional curbside item because well, you are student--you need that extra money for KD or alcohol, or perhaps even, tuition and books. LOL. (Although, like papillon, I knew who owned the bed before me too)

They used to have 2 "big" city-wide garbage days in London--where you could put anything and everything out to the curb and you'd be amazed at the number of people scouring the curbs at 7am with their trucks.

Like two other posters before me I like to put things out to my curb and slap a big "free" sign on it. It gets picked up SO fast and it saves a trip the goodwill. You should try "freecycle" too (if you don't already know about it). It's a recycling community where you can post an offer, respond to postings and list things you're looking for. All free!

However, I've noticed that the London one has really declined since the rise of Kijiji--fewer members, fewer postings etc...but a great way to recycle that thing you no longer need to someone that does need it.