In the tight economic climate many struggle to survive without jobs. Others are living pay check to pay check unable to provide anything besides the basic necessities for their families, if they can even afford that.
Cutting corners in the budget can only go so far. Unemployed and underemployed are seeking ways to make money, save money and cash in on any commodities they may come across. Selling off family heirlooms and former luxuries is a common way to make it through the month without getting too far behind on bills.
Not everyone has old jewelry to sell just lying around even if it is broken. For those folks there’s a more accessible material anyone can cash in on… aluminum. The not so precious metal can fetch a fair price at local scrap yards if you can collect enough of it.
You don’t have to be Sanford or his son or even have a pickup truck to pick up some extra cash from scrap metal. Skip the large items, unless you like loading old appliances on and off the truck as you lug it to the recycling center. Keep it simple instead and stick to the small stuff.
Cans of course are the easiest items to collect and cash in. Stop drinking soda or beer from bottles. Switching to the aluminum alternative makes refreshments investments. You can collect a lot more if you ask local businesses if you can help them recycle by hauling their cans of for them.
Help keep the roads and public parks clean by volunteering to pick up litter as long as you can keep the cans. You’ll find treasure in the trash and also be able to list the volunteer experience on your resume. Win, win, win.
Keep large plastic tubs in your trunk to toss in any cans you see on the go. Rinse and crush the cans you find for clean, space saving storage until you’re ready to change the cans into cash. Make sure all the water is out of the crushed cans before turning them in or the recycling center won’t accept them.
Don’t expect to see giant payouts like you would with gold or silver. Depending on market value at the moment a garbage bin full of cans might fetch about $40. Check the trade value before you head out. All scrap yards are different so call around before toting your goods all over town.
It might not seem like much but you’d probably stop to pluck a $50 bill out of the trash. This is sort of the same thing with just a little more plucking involved.
What’s the most money you’ve ever found lying around?
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