| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| mikesgirl |
Posted - Feb 28 2008 : 10:03:46 AM
She had a show on "fregans" - people who spend only a miniscule amount of money to live. She showcased a women who had a six figure income and a couple in which he was a doctor and the wife was an engineer and these people all eat out of dumpsters. Lisa Ling went along with them as they dug through dumpsters by grocery stores looking for food that had been thrown out. I agree that the waste is horrible - stores throw things in the dumpster instead of passing it on to the hungry (I understand it's a legal issue that drives them to do this), but I really don't know that I could eat out of a dumpster. Some of the foods they were picking up were packaged baked goods, still sealed, and cartons of milk, close to their pull date, and it makes sense that it would still be good, but I don't know if I could get past that mentally!! The one couple said they spent $10-$20 a week on groceries. Boy, it wouldn't take long to get your debt paid off or your dream farm if that was your grocery budget! What do you all think?
Farmgirl Sister #98
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| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| babysmama |
Posted - Mar 05 2008 : 10:34:13 AM
I wouldn't eat food from a dumpster but I have picked up other treasures that I have found in the garbage. I found adorable wooden chairs for children, a ladder that my husband constantly uses, a bench for our front porch, etc. We found a window fan in the dumpster when we lived in an apartment and it finally just died - so that means we got seven years of use out of something that would have otherwise gone to the landfill. There is way too much waste and I say that if you see something that you can use on the curb than take it and don't feel ashamed - you are saving more waste going into the landfill.
-Elizabeth |
| Patsy |
Posted - Mar 05 2008 : 09:41:02 AM
When I was in college, I worked at Kentucky Fried Chicken on the night shift. We had tons and I mean tons of chicken leftover. But due to health laws, we had to either eat what we wanted there or throw it out. I cried the first time I had to throw out that perfectly good chicken, rolls, cole slaw, potatoes, gravy, etc. I am sure alot of other places have the same laws.
May God bless those who love the soil,
Patsy
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| Amie C. |
Posted - Mar 03 2008 : 11:57:35 AM
Stephanie, don't be so quick to judge the dumpster diving couple. I'm not an Oprah watcher normally, but I did happen to be home sick that day and saw the show. They said that they felt strongly about waste as a social justice issue, that it was wrong for the US to throw so much away when others in the world had so little. The husband said this concern grew out of their Christian faith. They were using the money they saved to pay down their debt faster (you don't get to be a doctor without huge student loans), and I believe they also mentioned contributions to charitable organizations. I think their motives are good and they seemed like pleasant, normal people.
I have to say, I have no stomach for dumpster diving when it comes to food. But the thing I wonder when I see all this fregan stuff (it's been in the media a lot lately) is: when do these people find the time? I barely have time in my schedule to make one trip to the grocery store and I have to have my meals planned fairly carefully to make sure I'm pickin up the right ingredients. |
| mikesgirl |
Posted - Mar 03 2008 : 07:48:40 AM
Great point Stephanie!!
Farmgirl Sister #98
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| queenofdreamsz4u |
Posted - Mar 02 2008 : 11:00:00 PM
No, I didn't see the show. I think it perfectly fine for these people to eat out of dumpsters. They are either trying to get attention or are mentally ill. I think it's a bit of both..Now...what I'd like to know is how these six figure income producers are helping the homeless and other people that don't have what they need to eat everyday. What are they doing with their money that they obviously have a problem with???
I have known a person with great financial means live like they were on their last pennies when in fact they had almost a million dollars invested and could touch the income anyway they needed to but NO..they preferred to poor mouth and live in a "doomsday mentality"...it was very scary to watch and very sad. And what made it even worse was that they were consumed with the spirit of GREED.
Our country is full of homeless folks and the stats say that better than 40% are suffering from mental illness. They are digging everywhere out of necessity to feed themselves.
Back to these people on the show..if these people prefer to get what they can for free in life then they need to donate their incomes to folks that are too weak mentally and physically to search for leftover food.
If they can't enjoy their prosperity they need to give it to those that will! 
Steph
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| Alee |
Posted - Mar 02 2008 : 2:52:22 PM
I forgot to mention supreme baked potatoes as a good meal. Baked potatoes with scrambled hamburger, cheese, sour cream, and any other toppings you like! Yum :D
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
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| Alee |
Posted - Mar 01 2008 : 3:03:32 PM
Buying in bulk really is much less expensive...if you do it right. You have to be familiar with the prices in your area before you go to Costco or Sam's Club. Also, just because it is a good deal- don't go buying those fancy pre-packaged meals. If you wouldn't buy it at your normal store- it probably isn't a good deal (because you are spending money just because it's on sale).
We do repeat the same types of meals, but we find ways to vary them a lot. Some of the meals that we like to do are:
Spaghetti
Meatloaf
Taco nights
Chicken Alfredo
Chicken or beef stir-fry with lots of veggies
Breakfast for dinner (Eggs, toast)
Cheese and Crackers (For those late nights when you don't have much time to do anything for dinner)
Chicken Catchatori
Hamburgers
Pork Chops w/ Applesauce
Pot Roast
Beef or chicken stew
Country fried chicken with biscuits
Lentils and Rice made with either chicken or vege broth
Black Bean Soup from MJ's
Mac and Cheese
California Rolls
Salmon and Rice
Cabbage Burgers
Turkey dinner
Goulash
All of these can be made on a budget and are yummy :D
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
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| 22shortie |
Posted - Mar 01 2008 : 2:36:36 PM
This is me bowing to you Alee! What an amazing grocery list. Half the time I am lucky if i even MAKE a list or have any idea what i should buy. I did better with that before I had Abby. More time on my hands then i guess. My only problem with buying in bulk is that #1 IS it less expensive in the end? you know, you are still buying the same amount of stuff, just you are buying it all at once so you dont spend it each month. So is bulk (like SAMs stuff) cheaper in the end or just more convenient? #2 do you eat alot of repeat meals since you buy buy bulk pasta, bulk sauce, meat etc etc??? I am learning. I just have a hard time catching on and making it happen rightnow you know...
quote:
Originally posted by Alee
Here is an example of a month's worth of groceries for our house, This month was July of 2007 and Doug bought a rib roast that was $25 and we still only spend $180.
Pita Bread
Hamburger Bun
5 Large cans of Tomato Sauce
A gallon of vinegar
Head of Lettuce
Red Bell Pepper
Green Bell Pepper
2 big packs of Tyson Chicken Thighs
2 big packs of Tyson Chicken legs
Half gallon of Whole milk
Small package of frozen peas
Corn Tortillas
Small package of forzen brocolli
2 cans of Cream of Mushroom Soup
10 lbs of Flour
Two packages of white gravy
One package of italian dressing mix
Bulk Pizza Dough Mix
Bulk Cheese Ravioli
4 White Onions
Bulk Italian Seasoning
Bulk Blueberry muffin mix
1 Cream Cheese
9lbs of bananas
5# of ground turkey
Tub of Nancy's Vanilla Yogurt
Cucumber
frozen salmon fillet
10# ground beef
tzatziki sauce
refried beans
unsalted butter
sour cream
celary
6 packets of yeast
4 tomatos
cooking oil
bulk chicken base
garlic
cinnamon
4 onions
worchestershire sauce
4 packages lunch meat
4 ears of corn
beef tenderloin *ouch!!*
10# potatos
top round roast (will make 2)
Nufatel cream cheese
tomato paste
green cabbage
ketchup
Dog food
ricotta cheese
coconut milk
refried beans
otter pops
We spent *drum roll please* $180.67!!! Now the challenge is to not have to return to the market for the whole month!!! :)
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Check out my latest projects and all the news from my chaotic little world!
http://pumpkinseed-unscripted.blogspot.com/ |
| one_dog_per_acre |
Posted - Mar 01 2008 : 06:33:50 AM
I rinse packages from the grocery store, esp. meat, because I used to work at one, It would be hard to eat out of a dumpster for sure. All of this dumster talk reminds me of when I worked a flower cart in downtown Portalnd, in front of the ODS building. There was a homeless guy who would walk by about 10am everyday. Everyday I would offer him my apple, sandwich, etc. He would always say no, and pick throught the trashcan instead. So I decided to satart leaving the food on the edge of the trash can for him, he took it. Trash pickers...quit stealing from bums! Just Kidding.
Farmgirl Sister #91
Make cupcakes not war! |
| lisamarie508 |
Posted - Mar 01 2008 : 12:58:21 AM
Personally, I think it's pretty disgusting unless you're starving and have no choice. Even if the packages are sealed, the germs inside those dumpsters are going to be on the package and then when you open the package wouldn't the germs then be transferred to the food inside? At the very least on your hands. ICK!
Farmgirl Sister #35
"If you can not do great things, do small things in a great way." Napoleon Hill (1883-1970)
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| QueenofQuiteAlot |
Posted - Feb 29 2008 : 9:33:22 PM
Nasty. Plant a garden and save $$ that way-
bleh.
Dalyn
Muckboots 'N Aprons Chapter
~Hick Chicks Soap Barn~
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Homespun Raw Goat Milk Soaps 'n More
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| abbasgurl |
Posted - Feb 29 2008 : 9:24:38 PM
" I couldn't help but think the diving Dr. will be on one of oprah's "i'm a hoarder," show sometime in the future. I must admit, i would rather dumpster dive than be a stripper."
Too funny Patricia! When you put it that way...
And Brenda...my signature line is "Oh my gosh did you SEE THAT!? PULL OVER!" I prefer the term culling refuse, or refuse fancier. OK, I'm a trash picker...
I will sing at the top of my lungs, and I will dance even if I'm the only one...
http://www.kattywhompus.etsy.com |
| Alee |
Posted - Feb 29 2008 : 8:22:48 PM
Here is an example of a month's worth of groceries for our house, This month was July of 2007 and Doug bought a rib roast that was $25 and we still only spend $180.
Pita Bread
Hamburger Bun
5 Large cans of Tomato Sauce
A gallon of vinegar
Head of Lettuce
Red Bell Pepper
Green Bell Pepper
2 big packs of Tyson Chicken Thighs
2 big packs of Tyson Chicken legs
Half gallon of Whole milk
Small package of frozen peas
Corn Tortillas
Small package of forzen brocolli
2 cans of Cream of Mushroom Soup
10 lbs of Flour
Two packages of white gravy
One package of italian dressing mix
Bulk Pizza Dough Mix
Bulk Cheese Ravioli
4 White Onions
Bulk Italian Seasoning
Bulk Blueberry muffin mix
1 Cream Cheese
9lbs of bananas
5# of ground turkey
Tub of Nancy's Vanilla Yogurt
Cucumber
frozen salmon fillet
10# ground beef
tzatziki sauce
refried beans
unsalted butter
sour cream
celary
6 packets of yeast
4 tomatos
cooking oil
bulk chicken base
garlic
cinnamon
4 onions
worchestershire sauce
4 packages lunch meat
4 ears of corn
beef tenderloin *ouch!!*
10# potatos
top round roast (will make 2)
Nufatel cream cheese
tomato paste
green cabbage
ketchup
Dog food
ricotta cheese
coconut milk
refried beans
otter pops
We spent *drum roll please* $180.67!!! Now the challenge is to not have to return to the market for the whole month!!! :)
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
| Alee |
Posted - Feb 29 2008 : 8:06:51 PM
Doug and I spend about $500 twice a year at Costco stocking up on essentials. Some of that includes:
Toilet Paper (From Costco last us about a year)
Dish Soap (Lasts us a year)
Garbage bags (Lasts us a year)
Bulk Pasta
Bulk Pasta sauce for when I get lazy and don't make my own.
Bulk bag of Basmati Rice
Bulk canned (glass) jars of peaches
Then we also buy our meat in bulk, then break it up and freeze it in manageable portions.
I buy lots of fruit, buy Steel Cut oats in bulk, buy milk as we need it. During the summer I try to grow as much as I can and then use my homemade sauces before buying or using store bought.
We had a grocery challenge going for a while with detailed lists of what I buy/don't buy. I will bump the topic.
Check out www.hillbillyhousewife.com for great tips as well!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
| 22shortie |
Posted - Feb 29 2008 : 7:55:30 PM
Alee...what on earth do you guys eat that only costs 150$ a month???? Please tell me your secret... : )
quote:
Originally posted by Alee
The thing that I was wondering about was all the bacteria and germs that have to be rampant in those dumpsters. Ick. And they showed them pulling out bagels that had been in a garbage sack (broken bagels and such from a bakery) and I know from working fast food a long time ago- we would throw away our floor sweepings in bags like that-ick. Plus- what if someone had to blow their nose and threw it in that bag? I don't think I could do it. I would rather just buy and eat frugally and try to raise as much of my own food as possible. Doug and I often only spend about $150 on food a month anyway, so while it isn't the $80 the freegans were doing, I still think we do pretty good.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Check out my latest projects and all the news from my chaotic little world!
http://pumpkinseed-unscripted.blogspot.com/ |
| one_dog_per_acre |
Posted - Feb 29 2008 : 7:06:32 PM
The link between the dumpster and the stripper was: How far would you go? Living on the edge. Six figure salary that eats garbage to the suburban soccer mom by day that takes it all of for $ at night.
Farmgirl Sister #91
Make cupcakes not war! |
| grace gerber |
Posted - Feb 29 2008 : 6:39:50 PM
Sherri
The one about the lemons came from compact.com but all you have to do is to search for latest food safety articles on line. There are thousands..........
Also I read several Mag's YES, ODE, to name a few that publish many of the labor, food safety and fair trade issues.
The biggest issue is when to stop reading because soon you can get really freaked out
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
|
| faithymom |
Posted - Feb 29 2008 : 6:30:58 PM
quote:
Originally posted by mikesgirl
I thought it was really wierd to have dumpster divers and a stripper on the same show. What's the connection?
Trash?
Just kidding...kinda...
My dad is a serious DD!
I don't have a problem with it up to a point. I think that food that is sealed (Dad used to get loads of bagged salad) is fine, but I draw the line at opened food that has been touching other garbage.
I am certainly angered by the waste! I wish that I could claim pre-dumpster 'dibs' on the produce that the store would toss because of a bruise! I'd use it.
"All television is educational television. The only question is, what is it teaching?"-Fmr. FCC Commissioner Nicholas Johnson |
| mikesgirl |
Posted - Feb 29 2008 : 1:06:52 PM
I thought it was really wierd to have dumpster divers and a stripper on the same show. What's the connection?
Farmgirl Sister #98
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| one_dog_per_acre |
Posted - Feb 29 2008 : 12:17:01 PM
LOL, Be proud Brenda, you're a super recycler!
Farmgirl Sister #91
Make cupcakes not war! |
| Past Blessings |
Posted - Feb 29 2008 : 10:59:36 AM
I have to admit . . . hanging my head in shame . . . I have been a dumpster diver for years! The difference though is I have dived for tangible goods, not food. I have gotten furniture, antiques, and more from dumpsters. The best are apartments where people are moving often and would rather shove it in a dumpster for someone else to pay for than go to the dump. It seems dumb that these people don't donate this though. My current bedrails on our antique bed were my first dumpster dive. It was clear back in my young single days when I went to the dumpster of my own apartment to empty my garbage. My bed was sitting for monthes, trying to find these antique rails and there they were in all of their glory, beckoning me into the dumpster. I was hooked from then on! LOL! I don't do it often but every now and then if I drive by and see a corner of something peeking out, I can't help myself. My name is Brenda and I'm hooked on dumpsters . . .
Brenda
Past Blessings . . . Celebrating Life as it used to be . . . when people loved God, loved their families and loved their country. |
| kydeere40744 |
Posted - Feb 29 2008 : 10:01:14 AM
I've worked in management for a retail store that had grocery & general merchandise. I learned quickly about waste and the fact that I would not purchase my groceries there because dairy products were left on pallets for several hours before placed into a cooler and other things.
I refuse to purchase used furniture even if it may save a few dollars because you don't know if the previous owner had bedbugs, lice, etc. That just grosses me out.
Dumpster diving is something I would never consider. We know of a couple of folks here that will go around the night before a garbage pickup and go through people's trash. It totally grossed me out. I always shred papers, etc and use it for packing, etc. and recycle other paper/bottles. We spend maybe $100 between the both of us on groceries a month by buying in bulk and buying things we know we would eat & can prepare in multiple dishes (chicken for dumplings, fried chicken, casserole, etc.). We both grew up learning about saving money and how to use it wisely instead of wasting it.
I'm all for frugalness, but dumpster diving for food is a little sickening!!
~Jessica in Kentucky & Farmgirl Sisterhood #137~
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http://www.craftyclipart.com |
| one_dog_per_acre |
Posted - Feb 29 2008 : 10:00:15 AM
MB- Injected inside the store? Can you elaborate?
Alee, don't worry so much about the shop owners, that stuff gets written off, and some vendors give credit, so not a total loss. Also, I bet that it's less than 1% of the pop. that garbage shops. I bet the folks who do wouldn't be big spenders anyway. I couldn't help but think the diving Dr. will be on one of oprah's "i'm a hoarder," show sometime in the future. I must admit, i would rather dumpster dive than be a stripper.
Farmgirl Sister #91
Make cupcakes not war! |
| mikesgirl |
Posted - Feb 29 2008 : 09:01:16 AM
Grace - where can I find out about those incidents you mention about the lemon and the beans etc?
Farmgirl Sister #98
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| Alee |
Posted - Feb 28 2008 : 5:14:56 PM
Personally, I think the waste is disgraceful, but I was kind of thinking "Poor Shop Owners!" Sure-they shouldn't be wasteful, but how much of their waste is due to public health laws? I know that here in Idaho, boxes that get crushed corners or dented cans can't be sold because of the risk of botulism's and other contaminates.
I wonder how much money the shops loose because people stop shopping?
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
