'We saved £9k feeding our kids from bins - we furnished our home for free too'

Amir Jardan, 38, and his fiancée, Ruth Moore, 27, have become experts in the art of . They have filled their home with free furniture and even managed to cut down on their food expenses by eating out of bins.

Since 2022, the couple from Dorchester, , have made it their mission to find valuable items discarded by others, saving a fortune in the process. From faulty electronics like iPads and drones, to luxury perfumes and designer clothes, Amir and Ruth have discovered a variety of treasures, which they restore or repurpose.

"We get an adrenaline rush every time we go, we can't stop," Amir explains. "You never know what you're going to find – it's like treasure hunting."

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One of their most impressive feats? Furnishing their entire home for free using items discarded by others. They even managed to secure high-end pieces, including a £135 light fitting and a £170 coffee table, all from discarded items. Their pantry is stocked with bread, pasta, chocolate, and crisps they found in supermarket bins, all while only spending about £50 a week on additional food.

The couple’s savvy approach to living sustainably and frugally has saved them around £7,000 on home décor alone, and an impressive £9,300 annually on groceries. What’s even more remarkable is that they’ve managed to avoid waste, giving back to their community by donating what they don't need to charity.

“It’s fun to cop a steal, but we want to give back to people who need it and do our bit for the environment,” Amir says. “We’re teaching our kids the true value of items.” Ruth, who works as a postwoman, adds, “It’s our bonding time, and getting in those industrial bins is a workout. Some of our mates say to Amir, 'Oh, you’re taking the Mrs to the bins again?' But it’s me that’s taking him!”

The pair’s dumpster diving journey started as a way to cope with the rising cost of living. Initially, they began retrieving furniture from designated bins and quickly realized they could gather an entire food shop as well.

Over the course of their dumpster diving, they’ve become familiar with how much they can find from even supermarket waste. “We only spend £50-a-month on food, which is mainly a takeaway coffee because that’s our treat,” Amir shares. “We never keep more than our means, we don’t like to be greedy.”

The couple has even gained a following on , where they document their weekly dumpster diving adventures and share tips with their over 7,000 followers. They use the platform to educate others on the benefits of dumpster diving, including its positive impact on the environment and its ability to .

Their commitment to reducing waste goes beyond just their own home. They make sure to donate whatever they don’t keep to the Bournemouth-based charity, We Are Humans, which provides food and essentials to those in need.

Amir continues, “If there are clothes that are fit for someone who needs them or tonnes of canned goods, we donate that and more.”

While they draw the line at meat, the couple’s dumpster diving adventures have proven to be both rewarding, allowing them to furnish their home, stock their fridge, and still give back to their community.