Make the most of your dollar store trip
Back in the day; Deb did a a cool post about 38 Things You Can Find at a Dollar Store. I agree with some of her advice, and think some things, like frames for example can be a good deal at a dollar store. However, since I’m personally not being a big fan of shopping, I find the dollar store a little obnoxious. It’s always crowded, many things are junky, and often I see people buy to buy at a dollar store; because why not? Stuff is only a dollar. Still, it makes me cringe when folks buy to buy, instead of buy with a purpose.
That said; here are some tips for the your next dollar store trip…
Always go off-season OR before season: A problem with most dollar stores is lack of space. They stock for holidays mega early. I went in early October to find Halloween stuff last year, and they were almost sold out, and the winter holiday goods were already stocked. (um, what happened to Thanksgiving?) If you go early, you can find deals. Sometimes, if you go off season you can find items not exactly meant for a specific holiday, but items that will do, such as candle sticks, festive wrap, or holiday cards. if you wait until a holiday to shop at the dollar store you’ll get frustrated, tired, and be more wiling to spend more at a normal store - not good.
A dollar is not always so cheap: You can find lots of items for less than a dollar at normal stores. Items like small plastic bins, small packs of crayons, thread, and more. Plus, what about garage sales! Since it’s possible to find items for less, don’t always assume a dollar is a good deal.
A dollar is not always so cheap (part two): A dollar is also not a good deal if the item you buy is going to break in a few days. It’s better to pay $10 in my opinion, for something you need, than a dollar for something that ends up in a landfill at the end of a week. Break-easy buys are bad on your wallet and the earth.
If you can, go sans kids: My normally peaceful child turns a little nuts at the dollar store. In some ways I like to take him, because he knows about dollars, and how to add them up, so it’s a great money-learning experience. However, if you’re going to be doing some serious dollar store shopping, kids can be one thing that may ruin your clear thinking groove.
Do not - I repeat - do not enter the dollar store without a list: Stuff for a dollar is way too tempting, unless you’re steadfast and hate shopping. Trust me, even I can be lured by the occasional $ deal I don’t need. If you need stuff, you may as well see if the dollar store has it for cheap, but don’t go in without a plan.
Do you have a dollar store plan when you go; or do you just go?
[image via stock.xchng]
Tags: dollar store buys, dollar store plan, dolllar store, good buys, make a shopping listRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Save Money
1 opinion for Make the most of your dollar store trip
K
Jul 30, 2008 at 9:19 pm
I just came from the dollar store. The last few times I have been the shelves have been mostly bare as people that previously never shopped the dollar stores are giving it a try now with prices so high.
I find I am buying less & less at the dollar store these days. Ours has limited choice choice to begin with and is in a sad state as far as cleanliness etc. Everytime I go someone has spilled something from the cleaners aisle and it stinks to high heaven all through the store. Most items there can be picked up elsewhere for less if you watch the sales ads.
The only thing I do tend to buy there anymore are the graham crackers for a dollar. Their labels/nutrition info are identical to the generics I have tried from other grocery stores and the cheapest those go are 1.99 and are 99% the same as the name brand grahams which go for 2.50 on sale around here. I go through a lot of grahams. LOL.
I recently read an article of what NOT to buy at dollar stores…this link is the closest I could find:
http://www.wtopnews.com/index.php?nid=25&sid=1198450
Our local news also recently did a report on batteries purchased from dollar stores and those didnt fair well either. One brand did well, one did below average, one didnt last long at all and one battery leaked and ruined the the flashlight they tested them in.
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