Suprises @ the Dollar Store!
Let's start by acknowledging that not all items are $1, and the stock is inconsistent, but like most strategies in the bargain hunting world, if you can wait for what you want and pounce when you see it cheap, you can do very well at the dollar store.
Everything from housewares (wine & drinking glasses) to school & office supplies (envelopes, notebooks, paper) to food (rice, olives, soda) can be picked up for rock bottom prices. It's gotten so that I don't go into the Dollar Store unless I am willing to spend a little money because I know I will inevitably find something I find useful and wallet friendly!
A couple of weeks ago I bought reading glasses at the dollar store. My eye doctor upped the prescription to 175. I leave the glasses all over the house because you never know when you are going to need them. I must have 8 or 10 pair strewn about. I wasn't going to spend $100 to replace the weaker 125's. I picked up what I needed for $2 a pair at the dollar store.
It won't surprise you to learn that I color my own hair. I pick up throw away shower caps (10 in a package) for $2. Steel wool - both with soap and without - useful both for cleaning and for stuffing holes that miniature critters seem to squeeze through.
Electrical items and tools are usually available, as are toiletries like cotton swabs (I cut the cotton tops off and used them as skewers for my most recent party!) and toothpaste. A few months ago, they had an unbelievable selection of designer ties. My son, the Jerry Garcia tie fan, was the happy beneficiary!
When it comes to food, I'll admit it's tricky. Much of this merchandise is grey market and that includes the food. Read labels! However, I am Italian and have become famous for my fried olives. Guess where the $1.59 bottles of green olives come from...
Credit Card Reminder
We are approaching the end of the quarter (March 31) and many credit card companies change the categories eligible for extra - usually 5% - cash back. Next month, just in time for Spring cleaning,
Discover will be giving 5% back on purchases at home improvement stores.
Chase Freedom is giving 5% back @ Lowe's, movie theaters and restaurants. Don't forget to put a small piece of masking tape on your card listing the categories earning extra cash back. I'll remind you about this again at the end of June and again at the end of September!
Three Buck Chuck!
If you enjoy a nice glass of wine, run - don't walk - to your nearest
Trader Joe's for the best $3 bottle you'll ever have. I am a big fan of
Consumer Reports magazine. Every November they do their Holiday Gifts issue and they include a list of tasty wines. This year, CR recommended Trader Joe's Charles Shaw Merlot. Two weeks ago I finally got to Trader Joe's on 14th Street and I was dumbstruck by the wall of wines available - all for $2.99! I tried the Pinot Grigio (white) and the Shiraz (Red) and both were excellent! I cannot wait to go back and try Chardonnay, Malbec, Merlot, etc.
I would love to hear from you w/ reaction to the blog, or with tips for saving money, or both!
Next time, an almost free vacation in New York!
Keep calm & carry on...Lori Bores
Happy (French) Independence Day!
