No shame in trash picking... you're recycling! My boyfriend and his family, on the other hand, are HORRIFIED at the very thought - call it a cultural difference (they have money; my family does not). If I find anythign good in the alleys I plan on saying it came from Craigslist. They are OK with that, marginally.

(The Boy's Dad came over while I was working on bikes today. He was gobsmacked. He knew I tinkered - but when he saw the bike I had cleaned up for my sister, he realized that I can make something old look close to new again and perfectly functional. He does love a bargain so maybe we are approaching common ground here )