Dumpster Diving, Stealing, and Eating Costco Samples: The 10 'Brokest Things' Redditors Have Ever Done

Despite living in one of the wealthiest countries in the world, a staggering 40% of Americans find it somewhat or very difficult to pay their bills, according to a United States Census survey from earlier this year. With such a large contingent of the country barely making ends meet, it’s unsurprising that even Redditors — a typically affluent group — shared that they’ve eaten food out of dumpsters and stolen to scrape by, according to a recent r/AskReddit thread. We’ve highlighted several stories from that thread to spotlight the realities of poverty in America.

“I was subletting a place and needed bus fare to get to work that day, so I searched every couch cushion and coat pocket in the hopes that I could find enough to get there,” one Redditor shares. Even after tearing apart the apartment, they were 30 cents short — but the bus driver had mercy on them and let them on with a cheaper transfer ticket. Later that day, a generous tipper left $5 for their coffee. “I've never been so happy in my life,” they write.

It’s the early 2000s in Manhattan’s garment district. You’re young, you’re broke, and you’re hungry. So what do you do? One Redditor says they took advantage of “Mitzvah Tanks,” aka “mobile synagogues” that serve bagels. “I would go in 3x a week and get bagels,” they write. Luckily, the Rabbi was gracious when he caught the bagel thief, telling them simply to say hello next time. “You don’t have to act like a thief trying not to get caught,” he added.

At a certain point, you're so broke that it makes financial sense to skip work, one Redditor explains. How? If you only have enough money to drive to work once more, you’re better off waiting until payday, they explain.

One Redditor said that they raided a Hostess bakery dumpster for day-old goodies that were “still packaged.” When they’d come home with the spoils, it would brighten their elderly mother’s day. “She had lived through the depression and couldn't believe it was thrown out. Such a treat,” the commenter writes.

When you’re broke, you end up learning little idiosyncrasies. For instance: Did you know that you can make partial payments with multiple debit cards at Walmart's self-checkout? That’s what one Redditor was driven to do to buy a case of ramen. Each of their accounts “had less than a dollar” left.

“My motorcycle headlight broke, so I started riding around with a flashlight in my mouth,” one top comment reads. “I was young, and very, very dumb.” This should go without saying, but in case you’re also young and dumb, don’t try this at home.

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Playing the lottery while you’re broke is quite possibly the worst thing you can do with your money. But if you’re young, optimistic, a little stupid, and need money for Christmas presents, it sort of makes sense — at least it did to this Redditor. Surprisingly enough, it paid off. “I didn’t want anyone to think I had money problems at the time so I spent $10 on a scratcher and won $500,” they write, adding that it was enough for “car insurance and presents.”

Related: Why You Should Never Play the Lottery

If you don’t mind lying, you can eat for free at Costco, a Redditor writes. Enter with an expired membership card, make the rounds to all the sample carts, and you’ve got a meal.

Related: The Best Costco Appetizers and Party Foods

Unless you’re wealthy, healthcare in this country is abysmal. It’s so terrible and expensive that one Redditor had to refuse medical care after getting hit by a car.

Related: The Secret to Negotiating a Lower Medical Bill

You’d think that a country as rich as the United States would be able to care for its children, but 9 million kids live in food-insecure homes across the nation. One parent says that they got so desperate that they had to steal food for their children. While they were “really ashamed,” they say they “couldn't let them go to bed hungry.”

Related: Bizarre, Gross, and Illegal: 11 'Extreme' Money-Saving Habits and Hacks