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19 June 2018 - Dumpster Diving

Use "Beautiful Junk" for Play Equipment

"Many free very inexpensive materials may be converted into indoor or outdoor play equipment for a preschool child."


In 2018 we call this practice "repurposing".

Our Almanac suggests that you mail $1 to the Superintendent of Documents and request the pamphlet on "Beautiful Junk."

Today, we can just search on Pinterest for inspiration for using trash as toys.

And you know what? It's a good idea.

I mean in this economy?!

I remember buying my kids an outside playhouse.
It was just under $70.

The EXACT same playhouse is still on the market and six years later the price is between $140 and $190. It has basically doubled in price.

That wasn't the only toy I noticed went up in price in a short time.

A play mat that I had for my kids six years ago is still on the market.
We paid $30 for that thing.
Today is retails between $50 and $70.

Corporations are just leaches!

Just don't even waste your money on their products.
Your kids will just destroy the toys you get them anyway.

Just give them trash to play with now, so that you don't have to throw away $200 later!



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