[Fresh Wind]

I know of people who make a living from picking the trash for antiques, furniture, collectibles, jewelry, scrap metal, and the like. It can be a lot of work, but there is always the chance for big payouts for lucky finds. And that happens more than you might think.

[4yearlurker]

I have been doing that for about 30 years now. Before there were TV shows about dumpster diving. If you see a for sale sign in front of a house and a pile of bags and boxes give it a look. I have found old glassware,old fishing stuff,lots of family photos,ammo,knives,vases,collections of road maps,salt & pepper shakers,books,magazines,etc. My latest find is a old park bench with cast iron ends.

[Daffynition]

I just picked up 3 wood baseball bats for $2.00 at a yard sale this weekend.

One of them is traded on eBay for $295.

Good times.

[TXnMA]

I know of a town landfill in MA that contains a magnificent gold-mouned fire opal pendant and a spectacular gold-mounted star sapphire pendant.

They were in Christmas shopping bags that went out with the trash.

They were taken in for the purpose of matching gems to them -- for earrings ordered built as gifts -- and the jeweler dropped them in the bottom of a bag without saying anything... :-(