Canning

"Canning" is a street term for collecting aluminum cans and turning them in for cash.  The problem is that, in most states, we get very little reward for our hard, smelly work.

The first thing we need is a plastic garbage bag.  If we have a buck we can get them at any dollar store. 

Now we need a plan.  First, we'll start our regular canning by five in the morning.  Last night's empty cans and bottles may already be sitting on the curb..  Grab 'em...but be careful to never trespass on private property.  We're going to have to look in and dig into trash cans to reap our reward.  Next we'll hit the "collegetown" area.  Remember, college towns are the best when it comes to providing services to the homeless.  Fraternity houses are manna from heaven.  Talk to the guys who live there...they may well save up their cans and bottles for you.  In 4-5 hours we should be able to collect 100 cans, and use the proceeds to add important assets to our Homeless Portfolios.

Now we need to take our goodies to an aluminum recycling facility.  In states without bottle and can deposits we're only going to make about 60 cents per pound, meaning our 100 cans (33 cans/pound) will earn us $1.80.

Contrast that with states which pay us five cents per can.  That money comes from a deposit already paid by the purchaser.  In Oregon, for example, those 100 cans will net us $4.80, a 266% better return than in by-the-pound states.  "Return" simply means profit, or the amount of money we make.  Look at any aluminum can and it will tell you whether there is a deposit law in your state.

So now we need to use this new asset, money, to enhance our Homeless Portfolios.  Canning is not a positive long-term effort, but it can fill the gaps.  Next week we'll talk about how we should spend our money to improve our lives.