Collecting and Recycling - Scrap Metal

Scrap! Its whats for dinner tonight!
Recycling scrap metal can be very profitable, especially if you know what you doing, but even if you don't, its why I'm here, to assist you in your craving for metals. Ha ha! Before we get a head of ourselves, if you haven't gotten the chance too, read my other blog on recycling: Recycling - Plastics, Aluminum, and Glass. There are many good tips in that posting that you can also use for collecting scrap metal.

What Do I need First?

• Some Knowledge of Different Metals
• Wire Cutters
• Razer Blade/Cutter
• A Place to Separate and Store Your Metal

There are many kinds of metals in the world. A lot of which have a recyclable value of some kind. Knowing their value and being able to identify them from almost a quick glance is important as it will save you time, sweat, and maybe even tears! I'll provide a list and descriptions (along with pictures) below encase you need to refresh your memory on what metal is what.

Copper on pallets

Copper: With a reddish color to it, copper is the one of the most valuable metals you can find. When exposed to moisture, copper will obtain a light green color type of rust, but this rust can be cleaned off so its not really much of a problem. Copper is used allot in electronic wiring and in plumbing. There are also 2 different kinds of copper, Clean and Dirty. Clean copper, which is bright and has a shine to it, will always net you more. However dirty copper, which could be stained with a green layer or blackened and not shine, will net you less depending on the recycle place. Also, if you leave the insulation on wiring, you'll be given allot less. So it is totally worth the time to strip the insulation off the copper wire.

Aluminum: Has a silver like color to it and its value is a little less then Copper, but it still is worth collecting. Aluminum is used in allot of products: soda cans, house gutters, electrical cables, and piping. Aluminum is the most commonly found discarded metal. On a daily basis, you can see it on the freeways and streets from pipes and soda cans, but mostly soda cans. It is also one of the fewest metals that can be 100% recycled.

Stainless Steel: Usually has a silvery dull shine to it, its value is about the same as aluminum. Stainless Steel is used in many products from cookware, cutlery, hardware, surgical instruments, and to major appliances. As the name mentions, stainless steel does not rust cause of the way its made. It is easily found in outdoor areas and in moist climates.

Steel: Almost the same as Stainless Steel, except lacking the non-rusting abilities of its cousin, is used in many products from home appliances, piping, tire rims, food cans (soup/vegi/meat), bolts, and nails. Most can be found near building tear downs, in your own home, and sometimes in and around dumpsters.


Now that you know the low down of metals, the next step is to know.. where you gonna store it? Depending on your living situation, either be a house or an apartment (or car), there are a few places to store your metals. Its best if you can keep your scrap metal outta of the elements, cause normal steel and copper corrode and that lowers their value. You could keep them in your garage (if you have one) or on the balcony. However, if there is no place to keep them inside, try keep them covered with like a tarp or put them in a plastic container.

My personal way to store and keep metals separated are in milk crates. They are sturdy, not to big or to small, and they got handles for easy transport! Milk crates can be found at your nearest grocery store and sometimes even at the recycle center.

Where do I start?
Finding scrap metals just lying around, specially in big piles, is gonna be very hard, unless your really lucky! However most of the time that won't be the case, so the first place you could start is in and around your own home. From there on out, start looking around your own neighborhood and your place of work. Collect empty soup cans. Cut the extension wires from thrown out small appliances and collect thrown out tv cable, which has copper.

Fair warning, it is against law in most countries to go into "abandoned" buildings and remove these precious metals from the property. The reasoning on why is 3 things:

1. Harvesting metals, such as wiring, from a building could be extremely dangerous as wire could still be live even though the building is abandoned. Not only could someone get extremely hurt, but could die from electricity still going through wires. So its more of a law to prevent loss of life.
2. Taking metals from a building can be considered stealing since the building that you're harvesting from usually is owned by someone.
3. Most abandoned buildings have fencing around them or "should" be locked up. Just because its abandoned doesn't mean its not owned by someone. So you have trespassing issues

The Pay
The amount of cash you'll get varies by two things important factors:

• The metals in which you have
• The amount in weight in which you've collected

The most valuable scrap metal you can collect is by all Copper, while Steel the least valuable. The amount in weight, per pound, will determine how much you get too. Which why its important to collect a good amount, 30 lbs+, before even thinking about taking it to the recycle center. The less trips you can take, the better the reward.

Conclusion
Recycling scrap metal can be a fun small hobby, which can be educational to you and those around you. Heck, it might even lead to something else, like the learning of metal fabrication and my personal favorite, armor smithing.

Links:
Collecting and Recycling Plastic Bottles, Aluminum Cans and Glass Bottles
Dr Andrew J. Smith - How to Make Money Recycling Scrap Metal (very detailed)

Get a Job with a Temporary Labor Agency

Requirements: 18 Years of Age Minimum, Good Physical Shape, Not Lazy, Prepared to Work Hard

Hey John! We need you do go somewhere!
Thats how it usually starts at a labor agency before they send you out to to a job site. Job sites could lead to anything from keeping things clean to.. well allot of things. Skies the limit to what kind of work you'll be doing. Most of the work that you'll get set out to do is on average very physical and demanding, hence why they are called Labor Agencies.

What do I need first?
Labor Agencies usually require you to have allot of stuff to even work with them. Mainly your own Safety Gear.

• 2 Documents of Proof of Identity (State ID, SSI Card, Birth Certificate)
• Photo ID/Drivers License
• Working Car (Optional)
• Steel Toe Boots
• Hard Hat
• Safety Glasses
• Work Gloves

Before you can even start an application with a labor agency, they require you to be 18 years old cause of the labor like work (its the law). You'll also need to show them at least 2 documents to prove that you are eligible to work. Usually if you live in the U.S.A, they will be either a State ID, a Social Security Card, and a legal Birth Certificate. Other forms like a Green Card and Passport can also be used, specially if your from out of country like Mexico.

Having a working car will allow you to be able to get jobs, I'm not kidding! I have personally seen guys (and girls) not be able to take a job cause the job needs them like an hour ago and the job site is like 10 miles away from the labor office. It sucks. However, don't let this sway you away from trying to get work from an agency because there are some jobs that require multiple people to show up, which means you could car pool with someone to get to the job site. If this happens, be prepared to give maybe 2-3 bucks for gas money to the driver.

Protect your head! You only got one!

The agency I've worked with for the past year is really cool cause they lend their workers safety gear so they can work cause they know some people don't have money to even buy a bus pass. From steel toes to reflective vests, they lend it.

However, I have "heard" that a majority of the labor agencies don't even do this "lending system", that you have to already have the safety gear. Which in my personal opinion is a total let down specially if someone really needs work and can't cause they don't have Steel Toes.

So before applying at a certain agency, call or walk in, and ask if they help their workers with supplying them with gear so they can work. It will save you time and hopefully money in the end. Just know that its always best to have your own personal gear. So try to work towards that goal while working with the agency.

Where do I start looking for a Labor Agency?
The best place to start is actually on your computer right now. Go to Google and search for "Labor Agency" or "Labor Agencies" along side with your city in which you live in. If you live in a big city, you shouldn't have no problem finding one (there are at least 6 labor agencies here in San Diego.)

Next step is to either call or go to that agency in person. I recommend just calling, cause it will save you gas (if you drive) and time. Ask some questions like, "How does is it all work?", "When can I do an application?", and "Do you help supply safety gear to workers?" Once you got that taken care of you should be in good shape and hopefully can start working the next day or even that same day if they need extra people!

The Pay
The pay is kinda the downside to Labor Agencies. For just general labor, which is allot of the work they hand out, you'll be payed whatever your state's minimum wage is. However, if you have a skill like Welding, Steel work, Construction, or something else, and they have job requiring that certain skill, you'll get paid more then minimum wage.

Conclusion
If your in a jam and in need extra money same day, then a labor agency is diffidently for you. Work hard, work safe, work smart!

Links:
http://www.laborready.com/ - (Agency I use and has 600 branches according to the website.)
http://www.staffingagencylist.com/ - (Covers Staffing Agencies in the US Only)

Pet Sitting

Age Category 12 - 70
Requirements: Knowledge of Basic Animal Needs and Care, Responsible

"Help! I need someone to care for my dog while I'm out of town!"

Sometimes when people go on trips out of town and can't take their pets with them, this is what happens. They call their friends and family from all over town seeing if someone can care for them while they're away. Allot of the time if they can't find someone at all, they'll go into the phone book or online to find a person offering a Pet Sitting Service. That is when (hopefully) you come into play.

What do I need to know first before taking on this job?
The first things you'll probably want to know and have before hand are as follows:

• Knowledge of Different Animals (Very Important!)
• Responsible Behavior (Also Very Important)
• Animal Toys & Supplies (Optional)
• Having  your own Pet (Optional)

Knowledge of many different animals should be your number 1 objective. You don't have to go ape and start borrowing every animal book at your local library (unless you want too), but common information should be known. Most of the pets you'll be caring and watching over will primarily be dogs and cats, so learn more about them first before anything else.

Responsibility is just as important as knowing about the type of animal your watching over. Without a strict stance of responsibility, then no one, and I mean NO ONE will give you a chance. You need to prove to the owners of these pets that your not some misfit. With a solid responsible behavior, people will put their trust into you easier and that means that you'll be able to do business with those people.

You might want to offer to the owners if they wouldn't mind if you brought toys over to help keep their pets occupied. More then likely they'll pass since they'll already have their own toys for their pet(s), but it doesn't hurt to ask. However if an owner says its alright, please, please make sure the toys are sterilized, because of you don't clean them with bleach or something, you could get get that owner's pet sick cause it was contaminated. Would you give your own child a toy from another kid who is sick? I sure wouldn't.

Having your own pet can prove to that owner that you know how to care for animals and it tells them that you love animals too. Offer to show them your pet or even talk about your pet. Pet owners like talking about their pets. It creates a common interest between owners.

I would like to make special note that was brought to my attention by a friend and fellow pet owner. The worst scenario, other then the pet getting hurt while under your care, is to have the pet escape. If this were to happen, well.. I'm just gonna say the consequences would not be good at all. You could be sued and forced to pay XXX amount of dollars for negligence. You could also be Black Listed from doing Pet Sitting ever again... Now that we got the negative part of the job taken care, shall we continue to something more positive? *smile*

Where do I start looking for people that need a pet sitter?
Best place to start is start letting Friends, Family, and Colleges know that your trying to start a side business and are offering to watch and take care of people pets. Even if those people don't have pets themselves, you should still tell them cause they could reference you if someone you don't even know asks. (This is called networking by the way.)

Another way for yourself to be heard is to start up your own website to advertise your services. Learning Basic HTML isn't that hard (I learned it when I was 10.) or you could always have someone make one for you, but usually people are gonna charge you for that. Also you can post your service up on Craigslist which is free. There area also Pet Setting Directories online which you can upload your all your info to.

You could also post up fliers around your town advertising your service which is another great way to get yourself heard. I'll post link to a flier template for those that are interested at the bottom of this blog.

The Pay
Now usually, the pay for any job already has a set amount, but pet sitting is vert different cause your the one that has to figure out how much to charge your client for certain tasks. For this, I'm gonna give you a link to an already thought out process on how to charge clients. I'd recommend you read it word by word. Link is at the bottom.

Conclusion
Pet Setting can be a very rewarding job and even business if you start one up. You get to be with animals you love and care about (Hopefully you do care about them.) Plus the pay isn't bad once you figure out that part when you start everything. Be a loving, responible person, and you'll go far! I promise you that.

Links
CraigsList - http://www.craigslist.org/  
Figuring how much to charge for Pet Sitting
Flyer Template 

Collecting and Selling Pallets for Money

Last Revised - January 7, 2013

Requirements: Driver's License, an F 150 (or higher) Truck, Rope/Tie Downs

Get Your Pallets! Nicely Used Pallets!

Your average 48 by 48 pallet

Have you seen them on the road? Your probably asking, "Seen what??" Well those 18 wheelers stacked sky high with pallets or maybe a a regular truck stacked with at least 20 or more pallets?? Still no? Well you don't really see them very often on the road cause the people driving them are behind malls and shopping centers collecting used pallets. These people have an actually business going on. They collect pallets and take them to a dealer who then buys the pallets from them. Sound interesting? Then shall we continue?

What would I need to have first before pursuing this kind of self-employment job?
The things you'll first need before you can do anything really are as follows:

• Drivers License
• A Truck
• Rope or Tie Downs
• A Good Sense of Direction
• Self-Motivated
• Hammers and Nails
• Hand Drill, Drill Bit(s), and Screws (Optional)

Truck with a Flat Bed

Any truck will do, as long as you can hook ropes or tie downs to its side, it still runs and can handle the weight of all the pallets, then you should be fine. However, if you want to really get the job done and be able to carry a larger load at one time, then you'll need to use a truck with a flat bed, like the picture to the right.

If your gonna use rope, make sure the rope is in good condition cause the worst thing that could happen on you while transporting a full load of pallets is to have the rope snap, make a turn at a corner, and you'll have all your pallets in the road or side walk. Also make sure that there are no existing knots in the rope cause knots reduce the strength of the rope by a good percentage depending on how many knots there are (20% +). I'd recommend you use the Trucker's Hitch. Its a very effect knot that is easy to do and easier to pull apart when you unload.

If you don't know how to make a Trucker's Hitch, here are some good video tutorials that show how to make one.

As for tie downs, make sure the straps aren't severely damaged or that could also lead to disaster because the last thing you want happening is to have 30+ pallets sliding off your truck, going into the street, and into incoming traffic. Which could get people severely hurt depending on where people are at on the road and how fast people driving

A good sense of direction and self-motivation are key to being successful, which can be said with any business, specially if its a self-employed business. If you don't have both, then you are bound to fail. I can't stress to have your family or friends give you support in your business venture specially if you are doing this solo. You could also ways have a family member come with you to help you on your job. Getting the family together would make it a family business instead of partnering with someone, which could lead to disaster if the business doesn't go well.

OK! I'm ready to get started. Where do I start?
First things first. Your going to need to locate a company or individual in your area that buys used pallets. Try looking up on Craigslist or your phone book for people selling pallets. Give them a call (if a number is supplied) and ask if they buy used pallets from people.

Once you have that taken care of,  I want you to think every place around your area or town that receives large quantities of goods. (examples : Wal-Mart, Sears, Ralphs, Target,) Now go to those businesses and ask the Manager/Owner of the store if you could take their wooden pallets off their hands for free. Usually, they should say Yes (unless they have someone already doing it for free) since most businesses have to pay a company to pick them up from their store. If they say Yes, ask if you could come by on a regular basis to pick up their pallets. By doing this, you are establishing your own Pallet Pickup Route, which is very important.

Once you have your pallets, call the pallet company that you contacted before, and confirm with them that you'll be coming in with a truck load of pallets to sell to them.

Repairing Pallets
This is where the hammer(s) and nails come into play. You'll probably run into your fair share of busted pallets. The best way to repair them is to take apart another busted pallet that has some good pieces still and use those pieces to repair other broken pallets. Do note that most pallets are sometimes very hard to nail through, this is due to the different types of wood that are used to make pallets. Usually, the heavier pallets are the ones that are more difficult to nail into and repair. So you might need to use a hand drill to drill a pilot for your nails to go through easier. Now you will have some more good pallets that you can sell and make more money then you did before repairing.

A 2nd Life To Severely Damaged Pallets.
You might run into pallets that are way to damaged to even be worth sacrificing a lesser damaged pallet in order to fix it. It will always be a judgement call when encountering such pallets in which you'll need to calculate if it time put into it is worth saving a single pallet or not.

However, there might be a 2nd option for such severely damaged pallets. This 2nd option, though not fully investigated, is cut or saw damaged pallets into 1 - 2 foot pieces of wood and bundle them up together, advertise on Craigslist, and sell the bundles as firewood. Price would be your discretion. Just make sure there is are no nails in the wood that you bundled up as you don't want to cause injury to yourself or to anyone else.

The Pay
You'll most likely be paid in cash or check and the pay will be based on the amount of pallets you sell to any specific company. Depending on the size of the pallet, you could receive $1.50 - $3.50 dollars per pallet. I know that might not sound like allot, but if you accumulate 50-100 pallets a load, then that is roughly more then $100 bucks. If you do that 5-7 days a week, then you got some a good cash flow going to your pockets, bank account.

Conclusion
Collecting and selling used pallets isn't that hard to start. Its hard work of course, but hard work always has its rewards, and making a decent living is one of them. Work hard, be smart, be safe, and start selling those pallets!

How to get a Sign Holding Job / Spinning Gig

What is that person doing on the corner Mommy??
You might see them on a day to day basis or you might not. I know I do, specially in San Diego. Some just stand with their big bright and vibrant signs pointing to some business or a Big Event that is happening nearby. There are some, how some how defy the laws of physics, spin the sign and do "tricks" to attract people. These unique and skilled individuals are called Sign Spinners.

What would I need to know first before pursuing this kind of work?
Taking from personal experience, (Yes I've been a Sign Spinner before), you need determination and you can't let your personal life effect your job. At some points while doing this job, you  get allot of time to think about stuff cause everything you do after a while is "Muscle Memory" I recommend listening to music when this happens.

Just like the Boy Scout motto says, "Be Prepared!" The elements are your enemy, specially if its a really sunny day and your out on the corner or where ever for more then 2 hours. Water! Water! Water! I can't say it enough. You'll be sweating, specially if your active while doing the job. Sunscreen is also a must! All you need is to be engulfed in a sunburn that would put Rudolf's Nose to shame.

Also, don't be afraid to take breaks every 2 hours. Your in titled to them after all, specially since its the law. I usually took 10-15 min breaks every 2 hours and I usually had a little snack to help keep me going.

A Man Sign Spinning For Adventure Time During San Diego Comic Con

I want to be a Sign Holder/Spinner now! Where do I look for a job though?
You can usually (not all the time) find someone on Craigslist looking to hire someone to hold or spin a sign for their business. I usually make a search on the Craigslist website saying, "Sign Spinner/Twirler/ Holder" or just plain "Sign". Matter of fact, I actually got my first Sign job from Craigslist.

There is one company that does come to mind that will hire and TRAIN you to be a sign spinner for them. You might have heard or seem them before, but they are AArrow Advertising. Once trained in some tricks, they send you out to specific locations around town to advertise for businesses and events. The good thing about this company is that they pay you based on the amount of tricks you've mastered and there are Endless amount of tricks to master! So depending on your enthusiasm, you could make some really decent money with them hourly.

The Pay
Depending on who you deal with, either from some random business or with AArrow, you could start making $9 to $11 Bucks an hour, but that could be different depending on where you live. Usually here in San Diego, on average, people pay around $10. However, there are some people who try to pay 9 bucks, which is the min wage currently. So if you find someone like that, you should try to negotiate with them for higher pay or don't bother (unless you really need a job, then of course go for it anyways cause money is money after all.)

Conclusion
Being a Sign Spinner is a good job if your young, in decent shape (you don't have to be, but it helps a little to get the job) and in need of a job. If you find a sign spinning job, my hats off to you. Be prepared to get honked at by people in their cars (that is actually a good thing!!) Have fun doing it and go wild. Spin that sign!

Links
CraigsList - http://www.craigslist.org/ 
AArrow Advertising - http://www.aarrowads.com/

Collectiing and Recycling - Plastics, Aluminum, and Glass

The "Math" behind recycling

Can, Glass, and Plastic = $$$

Now you may be thinking, "really? How can I make money by collecting and recycling?" Yes Yes.. I know, but think about for a minute. People throw away these 3 main recyclables everyday, every hour, and every minute into the trash without even thinking about it! I myself have seen it, it amazes me how people can do it so easily.

Now the question I ask you is how do you take advantage of this.. Simple. For example you see someone throw a can into the trash, take it back from the trash can (if you can reach it). 5 cents right there. Now think about what just happened but 100 times.. 100 cans is worth about 5 bucks give or take, depending if you get it weighted or counted. I personally have my recycles weighed cause its easier for me.


"Where is the best place to find Recyclables??"
I've seen allot of people asking the this exact same question over and over again, but the answers aren't always clear. I hope to clear up some of these answers in this part of the post.

1. Events: Events like sports (football, soccer, baseball), Concerts, Conventions, Rallies, and Fairs are only a few places where there are allot of people together and have a a much higher chance to find recycles. Specially, if they are being done outside in the elements, cause the heat makes people drink liquids.
   
2. Beaches: Beaches are a good source of recycles, specially beaches that are near businesses, restaurants, and bars. However, beaches vary during times of the year. Summertime, Holiday Weekends, and well Really Hot days are usually when people populate the beaches. The downside though is that depending on your beach, you might be in competition with homeless people, but rarely that happens. Beaches might also be a good place to collect thrown away scrap metal.
   
3. Malls & Shopping Centers: Malls are usually packed just like Beaches, during the Summertime, Holiday Weekends, and Hot Days surprisingly. Malls and Shopping Centers have trash bins all over the place for people to throw their trash in (and recyclables.) Take advantage of this and know where the trash cans are cause they rarely ever get moved. The downside to this is that you have to find the courage to look through the trash in front of strangers. At first its hard, but trust me, once you get into the mind set, you ignore people looking at you. Trust me, I've done myself.
   
4. Residential Areas: This is kinda tricky. For one, you gotta know what day trash/recycles go out in different Residential areas. For my area, its Wednesday. Depending if you got school or work during the morning, this could be really good source of recycles. Though, it could always change week to week of course cause its hard to guess what peoples' habits are. It might take a couple of weeks to know who puts out and who doesn't.
   
5. Parties and Group Gatherings: Parties usually serve drinks in cans and plastic bottles cause its less wash and clean up. Depending on the size of the gatherings, you could get allot or very little. Also depends if the Host recycles too, but it doesn't hurt to ask the Host what their plans are for the recycles, they might just give them all to you, specially if you help out cleaning afterwords. Doing a Good Deed always has its rewards!
   
6. Bars: I have yet to try this out myself, but I've always wanted for many years now. Now this is more like a business concept, but I'll share it anyways. My idea was to ask local bars to see if they could save their glass for you. Maybe if you were to help supply them with some trash cans and trash bags, they'd keep put their empty bottles and maybe once a day you could take it from them. Now if they ask whats in it for them, you could maybe give them a cut of what you get.... Downside to this Idea is that you need to own a car to transport the glass, cause glass is heavy. Another downside is that usually takes more glass to make money, like for example, 100 pounds worth would net you roughly 10 bucks. (only reason I know that is cause I once obtained 100 pounds worth of glass at one time.)
   
7. Friends and Family: Friends and Family should always be able to help you, so why not ask to to hold on to their recycles for you? You can collect them all at a specific date and there you go! All you had to do was ask. If you want to take it a step further then friends and family, ask your neighbors or the people that live along your street! Specially if your a kid, I wouldn't see why they wouldn't help, but be sure to have a parent with you if your under 12, specially if you don't know the people that well.
   
8. Work and School: Depending on where you work or go to school. There is usually someone drinking from a can or plastic bottle. Since you go to these places almost everyday, why not keep an eye out for recyclables I usually bring home at least 6 pieces or more from work each day. (6 x 5 = 30. 30 x 0.05 = $1.50) Plus if you let people at work or school (or both) know you recycle, usually they are more then happy to help cause it makes them feel good helping you and helping the environment.

This is just a short list of places that I've been experience with or had ideas for. The world is the limit. Go crazy to do what you can to get those recyclables because they are out there, and they are waiting for you to find them. Good Luck and Happy Hunting!