Scrapping Mom from SW Missouri

Just wanted to introduce myself and let everyone know how much i enjoy this site and the info i have gained.I am a single mother of 2 girls and started scrapping out of necessity when I lost my job in July. My kids dad has been doing this for about 5 years with relative success. I found the whole concept of making money from other people's trash fascinating. I'm not yet able to support myself,but have lots of ideas from perusing this forum. I just can't seem to find time to implement them or someone to partner with who can share the work. Its a full-time job for me to collect and break-down and this is my only source of income right now. I've been strictly curb shopping as i don't have a truck and now my car has been down for 3 wks or more. Makes things a bit difficult as one could imagine. I've gone from being a white collar professional to a scrapper ( Or recycler as ive learned to call myself :) ) But For the first time in my life i have found work that i enjoy. Every day is like a treasure hunt! Any thoughts or tips other members are willing to offer would be much appreciated. And i will keep reading.

if your a white collar professional then you might have contacts for getting ewaste. Use this to make up some contact/business cards and go network with some of your old friends you used to work with. Give some to all your family and friends and pretty soon you will get calls. Ewaste is a little easier to breakdown and store and we have some great buyers right here.
http://www.scrapmetalforum.com/scrap...ess-cards.html

Hello Amy, Welcome to SMF! 1st off, get that car fixed! : ) then get you a trailer : D

uhmmm, that's in addition of course, to Mechs suggestions ; )

if you need a car part you might just be in a good place to find one, slightly used of course, but hopefully a good cheap part. Who knows, stranger things have happened, what car you got? what does it need?

dont pass on the ewaste or your missing alot of dollars

Welcome from Massachusetts. More power to you.

Welcome to the forum. We have had many success stories from members of this forum who have travelled a similar path to yours. First you have to make enough to just get by. Soon you will be able to determine what is worth your time breaking down and how far. This refining of your techniques of scraping will evolve but with the advantage of this forum and all that it contains you will do well if you read.

Read the old threads, read the buyers threads, remember prices have changed since many of the threads were written. The changes in prices will effect not just your return but how much you can pay for scrap. When I started on this forum many members believed that paying for scrap was unnecessary and many still get theirs for free(much of what I get I pay for).

Pay very close attention to the suggestions you have been given already. My recycle business has grown and changed radically because of my reading this forum I am very thankful for the assistance of the members and the buyers. If you are familiar with the old saying "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink", I am one horse who drank.

Best of luck and read. Mike

Hello from Florida!

Good morning and a BIG WELCOME from Joplin area.

Great to hear from you. I have scrapped my whole life. I love to repurpose items and sell at Flea Markets. I am starting to get into the e-waste business as nobody in my area seems to be interested and the material is everywhere. Sorry to hear about you losing your job but if you enjoy recycling then stay focused and you will learn what pays well and what to pass on. I wish you lived in Ohio because I would love to have a lady partner to recycle with. Women come up with different ideas and complement the repurposing part of the business. Hope to hear more about how it's going for you. Blessings. Bill