Texas Woman Quits Job — Now Makes Thousands Of Dollars Selling Garbage From Dumpsters

Sep 04, 2021 by apost team

One Texas mother of four is taking the phrase “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” literally. Tiffany She’ree, also known as the “dumpsterdivingmama” online, is a 32-year-old mother who quit her job as a waitress in 2020 in favor of dumpster diving. And it turns out that the transition isn’t as crazy or as foolish as it sounds. According to the Daily Mail, She’ree makes up to $1,000 a week dumpster diving, as she sells many of her best finds at garage sales. That’s well above Texas’ $7.25 minimum wage.

What’s more, She’ree has made a name for herself online, posting her finds and dumpster diving outings on social media platforms like YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, where the Dallas-based internet star has over 2 million followers.

She’ree started sorted through other peoples’ trash in 2017 after a YouTube video about dumpster diving inspired her. Her first haul was worth around $1,200 thanks to a brand new makeup set she found.

She’ree dives with her husband, Daniel Roach, whom she met on a popular online dating app. Early on in their relationship, they went out dumpster diving together after Roach saw how much She’ree brought back on her first trip.

According to the Daily Mail’s August 2021 reporting on the She’ree-Roach family, She’ree supports herself entirely through dumpster diving, paying her half of the living expenses, which amount to around $800 to $1,000 a week. Some of her best finds include a brand new $750 cappuccino maker and a smart TV.

“Daniel and I went out diving together and since then it's been consistent for almost five years now. A little over a year ago I quit my job to do this full-time,” She’ree told the Daily Mail.

“We've furnished at least 75 per cent of our house with dumpster finds, from couches to tables and chairs to décor and more,” she added.

Unsurprisingly, She’ree’s lifestyle has also drawn some criticism online, with some viewers calling her “homeless” and others who say that she’s stealing, according to the Daily Mail. 

“I definitely still get negative comments but I think it's ninety percent positive nowadays,” She’ree told the publication. 

The popular online legal resource FindLaw states that “Dumpster diving is technically legal in all 50 states.” With that said, city, county and state ordinances can complicate things, and so it’s best for prospective dumpster divers to learn the specific laws in their area.

“Dumpster diving can feel like a temptation that doesn't hurt anyone involved. You get freebies from a store, and the store never knows their trash has been taken and re-used. Many retail stores get rid of materials like promo posters, marketing resources, magazines, displays, cardboard boxes, new products that did not sell, and more. One person's trash can be another person's treasure,” FindLaw’s entry on dumpster diving reads.

She’ree also noted that dumpster diving is good for the environment in her interview with the Daily Mail.

“I just really want to show people what's possible through dumpster diving,' She’ree explained.

“I'm happy that I'm saving items from landfills and doing my bit to help the environment and keep the planet clean.”

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What do you think about dumpster diving? Is it stealing, or is it an ingenious way to make a living? Give us your take on the issue, and pass this story on to friends and family members.