How to Shop a Dollar Store

In our quest to live within our limited budget Ricky and I try to be as frugal as possible. We have found that shopping at the local dollar store saves us a lot of money. However, dollar stores are only great bargains if you know how to shop them. Here are the tips we've discovered for shopping dollar stores:

• Make a list before you shop: We like to keep a running list of the supplies we are running low on. That way when we head to the store we only get the items we actually need. Since everything is so cheap at a dollar store its easy to end up buying a lot more things than you need. Even at $1 a piece it can add up.
• Buy cleaning supplies: Most dollar stores offer name brand cleaning products for much cheaper than other stores. We buy window cleaner, dish soap, furniture polish, and other cleaners at the dollar store. Avoid cleaners with weird names like "LA's Totally Awesome stain remover" and things like that. Stick the names you know.
• Buy bath supplies: You can get great deals on shaving gels, bubble bath, hair brushes and combs, hair gel, toothbrushes, bath grips (so kids don't slip and fall), bath toys, etc. Dollar stores tend to carry most of these items in name brands. We buy our toothbrushes at the dollar stores and see the same brushes in the regular stores.
• Buy children's seasonal toys: You can find cheap sand pails, water toys, big rubber balls, Christmas toys, books, etc. Just make sure they are age appropriate and look sturdy enough for your child to play with.
• Buy craft supplies: Thing like felt, thread, coloring books, construction paper, finger paints, and other art and crafts supplies are cheap at dollar stores. We have used them for numerous projects.
• Be careful about buying food: Usually dollar store food isn't as fresh as buying from the grocery store. If you want to buy food, drinks, or candy just make sure to check the expiration and use-by dates. Make sure you can use the food quickly. We like to buy dollar store candy to make homemade ice-cream.
• Never buy batteries.
• Buy holiday decorations: If you want your house to look festive, but you don't have a lot of money dollar stores are the way to go. They have cute decorations for the right price. You can buy Christmas stockings, wrapping paper, garland, figurines, window clings, etc. You can also buy birthday banners, fun tablecloths, balloons and more.

Happy Shopping!