I have a confession to make. I’m a dollar store junkie. I’ve come to realize that I’m not alone. I used to walk by these places and write them off as nothing but purveyors of cheap junk. One day, however, curiosity got the best of me and I decided to take a look. It was love at first sight!
On my first venture into the world of a $1 and under merchandise, I came away with a real bargain. Foil baking pans, the kind I use to bake my holiday bread, were being sold at four for a dollar! Because the bread (and pans) is given away as Christmas gifts, I can appreciate the savings. Since making this thrifty discovery, I’ve made stopping at the dollar store a regular part of my shopping routine.
Baking pans aren’t the only bargain I’ve come across. The dollar store also sells a variety of inexpensive children’s toys and gifts, perfect for filling birthday party goody bags. Frugal party-goers can find a collection of gift bags, greeting cards and wrapping paper. Why spend two to five dollars on bags at the card store, when the dollar store has similar items for less? The quality is decent and there are many from which to choose. For the creative gift giver, the dollar store offers a wide assortment of boxes, baskets, ribbons and bows. These supplies are great for making gift baskets.
Household items abound at the dollar store. Staples such as laundry soap, hand soap, baking soda, dryer sheets, vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and hydrogen peroxide are just a small sampling of what the savvy shopper can find for a dollar.
Certainly, you get what you pay for though. Purchasing coffee filters and sponges, the items one can find in the dollar store, is certainly comparable to that carried by the local supermarket, but sometimes it just doesn’t pay to go cheaper.
Quality is another issue. If one is purchasing a dollar store T-shirt, one shouldn’t expect it to last as long as the $30 T-shirt from a nice department store. These T-shirts are nice for stenciling and making your own creative designs on them.
Nowadays with food prices being so high, it’s good to check out some of the dollar stores that sell groceries. You can get baby food, baking products, breakfast items, canned goods, snacks, nuts, soups, peanut butter, candy, gum, mints, coffee, tea, cookies, desserts, salad dressing, rice, seasonings, and a lot more!
You can locate bargains on baby items, school supplies, Christmas goods, candles, cleaning supplies, craft items, disposables such as plastic utensils and paper plates and cups, bags, health and beauty items, novelties, stationary, outdoor products, home decor, pet products, party supplies and the list goes on and on!
With roughly sixty percent of Americans now frequenting the dollar store, is it any wonder there is now something for everyone? There may not be name brand or designer items, but there are definitely bargains to be had. Why not stop in and browse the aisles? Chances are you won’t leave empty-handed.
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