The Contemplation:

Ahhhh Lovely Sunday... the day in which we all rest (and worry about the upcoming six days LOL)
Hubby and I have made a habit of buying the sunday paper (I clip the coupons and hubby reads up on his sports stuff) right before the kids begin their usual sunday frolickings.

Anywhooo... today I watched as an older chinese lady pushed a cart overflowing with cans. I used to feel bad for them- all withered YET determined... now I see why I shouldn't!
This particular elder chinese lady's daughter goes to my college. She joins her mom in can collecting sprees over by areas where she won't be recognized. Her mom is a "homemaker" by profession. They are a one income family as far as taxes are concerned... yet they've got more money than most. Here's why:

Her mom stopped working like 15 years ago. She wasn't fluent in English so finding work was going to be a toughie. After much deliberation, can lady bought a shopping cart and a box of clear lawn bags. She's been picking up cans ever since. Sure she can't cash them in all at once and there are precautions she must take when handling them... can lady doesn't NEED to work now(Yes she's made a full time job of it).

The Rationalization:

She picks up cans for 6-8 hours a day, 7 days a week... in many different neighborhoods & vicinities.
Summers are especially profitable. Beaches and parks are ripe for the picking. She usually deploys her kids & grandkids to pick em up with her.
The can lady collects an average of 14000 cans a week. 14000 X $0.05= $700.00. Thats over 33K CASH in a
year!
Who'd have thought?
Best of all this money isn't taxable. It's money others have happily paid when buying soda and beer...


The Summary:

While I can't see myself picking up cans or rummaging through my neighbors' trash- I have now placed a "can bag" in my car- if I happen to see soda cans in the street... i'll lovingly get a nickel for it