I got a call last week from a local TV station asking me if I shop at the Dollar Stores. Ummmm, YES!!! I have been to Haiti and I know the value of a dollar! They asked if they could follow me and see what I buy there. So, I thought it would be good to add to the blog..."things that are worth buying from the Dollar Tree"
Basically anything that will at some point be thrown away is worth buying for as little as possible. Gift bags, tissue paper, wrapping, streamers, party supplies and the like are all sold there. I found some beautiful trendy multi-colored chevron wrapping paper and gift bag tags there! They have an expensive look and feel and are only $1?!?! Great buy!!! We also loaded up on flip-flops for my kids and to send to Haiti. Obviously these are not high quality, but they are soft and comfortable and when they eventually get lost or broken (ALL flip-flops do) it will not be a big deal! We were able to find Colgate toothbrushes 3 for a dollar! Great deal!!! We bought many packages to have on hand and also to send in our Haiti supply box. Coloring paper, pencils, markers, crayons, stickers...also great things to buy there! My kids LOVE to draw and I am constantly buying to replace lost or broken supplies. Another party supply that is great to keep on hand is aluminium pans...I keep them on hand especially for when I make my sticky fruit cobblers which are horribly hard to clean from cookware. At $1, it is quick and easy cleanup and well worth saving my time when I'm busy. Walking down the food aisle (which I'd normally pass) I spotted Heinz organic ketchup! Unbelievable!!! I bought 10 bottles and stocked up for summer BBQ time! You just never know what you'll spot there- it's worth the time to take a look!
Last but not least, I spotted the sunglass rack and found another pair of sunglasses that I love. I bought a pair there a few years ago that have been a favorite of mine. Jay had bought me a fancy pair of Tom Ford's in Europe many years ago ($400?!) and they have fallen apart a million times. The Dollar Store pair look very similar and have never broke. LOL You don't always get what you pay for! Being frugal doesn't mean being "cheap" it means being smart with your money! Whether you have a little or a lot- you can use it wisely and make a difference for your family and have more to share with others! Teaching my kids the value of a dollar while they are young is one of the many gifts I can give them as they enter the world on their own some day!