Dumping problems on others.

One possibility for earning some money as well as sometimes getting some decent stuff for free is to clean up properties for Realtors, apartment complexes, and other businesses and places that need to get rid of unwanted furniture and other merchandise left by previous clients, renters and others. While you oftentimes have to deal with stuff that is not worthy of anything other than taking to the dump, you can usually get someone else to do the real dirty work, while you gleem the stuff worthy of keeping. A couple of points; you'll need to make contact with realtors and property management people letting them know that you're available to clean out places...fast. While many will already have contacts in place, business is always coming and going so you need to be persistent and call, visit and even mail short form letters to the appropriate people. You'll need to have access to a truck, van, etc., to make this work, and this can become a full time business if you're not careful, so unless you have a good bit of time, and willing to get your hands and other things dirty, this may not be for you.

Local Newspapers

Most small towns have a local newspaper or shopping guide which happens to have a classified section and most will have a section for "Free Stuff", "Free Things", etc. While you may find that many of the items offered as free may not be things that would be of interest to you, sometimes you'll be able to score some decent furniture, books, and other stuff that people who are moving are more interested in getting rid of than making money on. The small town papers are often the best place to look here. Find out when it's published, and get a copy as soon as it comes out.

Cleaning up at yard and moving sales

A few years back when I was going to yard sales, I noticed how people tend to be more willing to bargain as they got toward the end of the weekend and still had a slew of stuff to get rid of. This got me to wondering what these people did with the stuff that was left over and couldn't get rid of? Of course, some will take the leftovers to places like the Salvation Army, Goodwill, etc., but many people have neither the time or inclination to do either. Thereupon, I reasoned that many of these people would be happy to have someone come along and take the remaining merchandise off their hands for free.

The way to work this is when going to sales on Sunday afternoons, take note of the people that still have a bunch of stuff to sell, and write down their address and phone number if possible. A couple of days later send them a short note along with your business card stating that you are in the "Take-A-Way" business or something similar and let them know that you will be happy to remove their unwanted reusable items for Free. While many won't respond, some will, especially those moving and with an urgent need to get rid of their "stuff". Try this, and you might be surprised at how many things people will be dying to give you for free.