AKA Dumpster Diving is still, another way to get stuff for less in this tough economy, especially furniture and household décor.

I asked my friend Ben, who works on Jim Cramer’s Mad Money show on CNBC, if he had any tips for my book, some invaluable advice that gets him to live beyond his means without spending a lot of money. His response: “One of my favorite pastimes on the weekend is getting in my car and driving around the neighborhood. You never know what you’ll find by the curbside.” In his experience, Ben’s rescued from the street a box spring, bed frame, end table, three beach chairs, an umbrella, an ironing board & a bookshelf. That’s an easy $500 saved. Needless to say, I asked him to elaborate.

Basic Ground Rules: “One must wade carefully in the waters of trash-pickery,” warns Ben. First and foremost, he says, avoid all things edible. (Uhm, duh) Next, make sure the items are, indeed, left for trash pick-up. He says it’s safest to go trash shopping after the sun sets. And if anyone asks where you got the item? “Tell them you got it at a yard sale.”

Never Find Useful Trash? No worries, says Ben. Perhaps you are from a small town filled with packrats or live in a yard-sale intense town. If used consumer items are not making their way to sidewalks near you, drive to your state capital, says Ben, or a City where space is at a premium and time is at a minimum (like New York, Boston, Chicago).

FWIW – My lovely water color painting hanging in my living room was found leaning on a tree on West 80th Street in Manhattan.