The last time I visited a dollar store I was amazed how many products were available for purchase that cost much more than one dollar at regular stores. I got a really nice letter opener, a leather bound business card holder, name brand pens, bleach (I mean bleach is bleach... why buy a name brand and pay more!). I found a package of three small rubber balls that I use on two sides of my dog's wire crate to keep it from marking up the walls. I purchased a desk top fan that I use on my computer desk to keep my gateway router/modem cool. I use baby wipes extensively (no baby), around the house so I got a large package of an off brand. They worked just as well as the expensive types. I found some cute soft squeaky toys for the dogs that were really small because that's the kind my two Chihuahuas like. I think I ended up spending about $30 on all the things I bought. Probably would have cost me triple that in a regular store. I can't wait to go back again!
Other than the usual cleaning supplies and office supplies I like to pick up candles and batteries from the Dollar Store. The snack section is one that I go down too often. The party supplies and holiday decorations at the Dollar Store always get my money. It is so easy to spend $30 or more with all of the little things you see and pick up on your way out the door.
Indeed. It's like "economy" sized packages in other stores... people assume that they will be cheaper per unit than smaller sized packages, but that isn't always the case. It's all about paying attention and having a good idea what things should reasonably cost. I've had a lot of practice, so I tend to know the best places to shop for the items I need. Even so, it's easy to become complacent and then prices change or packages shrink. We have to stay on the look out if we want the best deals. Saving money can be a full time job.
I could not agree more. These supermarkets use a lot of tricks to get you to spend money. I think I heard something about them consulting with psychologists once on how to place certain items, and increase the chances of customers spending money. I was like what? Lol. Funny but true. The offers and deals that they sometimes do are a little bit dodgy too, in my estimation. They do them to make people feel like they are getting the best deal when they actually are not.
That's for sure. Yes, I've heard that they do consult with psychologists (or some type of behavior specialists) to determine the best ways to separate people from their money. One of the things they use as well is music. I noticed that they play "my" music (the stuff I grew up listening to) in stores now. I guess I'm in the target audience these days. Yes, I've also come across less than stellar "deals." Still, I think I get my money's worth from the things I typically by at the dollar store. Sometimes, I try something new and it's not great, but then I know not to buy it again. The good stuff I get is worth it though and keeps me coming back.
I LOVE shopping for school supplies, and I can hardly wait for August for the discounts. I head over to the dollar store for cheap things to tide me over. It's where I get my pencils (I'm more of a pen person) and some surprisingly cheap and decent pens. Of course, you can sometimes find things for better prices elsewhere, like composition books and folders. I moved a couple of months back to a place about 30 miles away from the nearest Party City, so I pick up any of that sort of stuff at the dollar store as well on the off chance that I'll need it.
I will always go there to find small presents for people at Christmas. I like to get people in my family a main gift, but then also like to give them one or two little things to go with them, and you can often find relatively nice things at the dollar store that would fit perfectly. So I will always go in and spend perhaps $20 on the people who I buy for, and this gets me plenty of things to give to them, which is great news indeed!
Yes, this is something I do as well. I always grab a few extra smaller items, so people have more to open. This is especially true for the little ones. They get excited over everything, even the little stuff. Their eyes get big when they see a whole pile of presents. I have such fun picking out all the little extras. You can find some great stocking-stuffers too. Dollar stores are great for doing this kind of thing for holidays as well as birthdays and stuff.
I find that I look for small containers for Brand names. Like I keep a small bottle of Dawn Dish soap for washing my dogs and bubble baths. Don't need a big bottle taking up big room and am too lazy to walk up and down the steps to use it.
I am not the biggest user of the dollar store as a lot of people out there, but there are certain things that are useful to get there. I would say that I make a trip to stores like that about once a month, and there I usually get little things for work that I do not mind if they break. I work with children so little trinkets and things like that are always good to find.
I cant believe I forgot to mention the endless neat little trinkets for all the kids. Good looking out!
I usually go through Febreez really quick and find myself spending tons of money on it even at Walmart. The dollar store has some Airwick, you just have to find one that smells good which can be difficult since they usually don't have much variety. Candy is another good thing to get from the dollar store, and Starbucks or Gatorade drinks. Usually one of those items would cost about $4 at a gas station or convenient store, so the Dollar Store is definitely the way to go!
I buy antibacterial wipes/cleaning supplies, sweets, chocolate, crisps, greaseproof paper for cooking and things like that. I also get healthy baby/toddler snacks and rusks for my sons because they're exactly the same brands as I would buy in the supermarket but all for a quid. I once picked up some Vanish for the washing machine but haven't seen it again since. Every now and then they stock things that are worth snatching up but I'd say mostly it's rubbish. I just have to make sure I go in at the right times.
When I visit a Dollar Store I often go in with a free mind and try to buy things on the spur of the moment. However one thing that I always buy from dollar stores is Sharpies. Sometimes the Store may not have actual sharpies but clones of Sharpies but in my experience even they work out quite well. I am quite addicted to these little markers and I think I probably have them in each of the colours they make them. I use them everywhere not only are the very easy to write with but also they make everything look much more cheerful!
I like to buy cleaning supplies, paper products like paper towels, toilet paper, plastic cups and plates. I looove to buy air fresheners because they are always cheaper than any other stores.
Batteries and avocados. The avocados are always a little older so there's always something ripe, and batteries are just hard to beat at dollar store prices. Everything else is hit and miss.
Lately I've been addicted to buying the dark chocolate they sell at my local dollar store. Outside of that though, usually party/holiday supplies, basic cleaning products, coffee filters those cotton wipes for your face, and so on. I suppose it's more-so household staples that I grab there.
There are a few dollar store items i can't live without and they are pretty specific. At Dollar General, they have a liquid detergent that's only a dollar. I believe it's a brand they make themselves but I'm not sure. I use a little more than recommended, but for a dollar, it get my clothes clean and is worth the price. At Dollar Tree, there are a couple food items they carry that are an insanely great deal. The first is breaded mushrooms, jalapeno poppers, and cheese sticks. These items are a pain to make from scratch and they sell boxes of them for a dollar. The boxes are small, but the same size box at Wal-mart is usually three dollars or more. However, most Dollar Trees sell really small thin sirloin steaks for a buck! They are in the frozen section, usually on the bottom. The rock! I pan fry them with lots of onions. Usually, I make 2-2 1/2 steaks per person, but that still only costs $2.50 per person for steak! They are vacuum sealed and my family prefers them over expensive steaks that I buy at premium grocery stores in the area.
Candles, cards, and toys for my cat. I actually have a slight addiction to candles for some reason and like to light a lot at one time in my room so having an abundance to choose from on the cheap is nice. I will never pay big money for candles, they all have the same exact purpose, and I don't really get the 'scents' that many high priced ones claim to offer.
I save a lot of money on cleaning supplies and things like kitchen towels and party supplies. I have found some nice frames there too and reading glasses. They pretty much have great things on every aisle. I just don't buy thing like night lights and candles because some of the candles smell weird. I do like the plain tea lights that are unscented.
