Dollar Store Shopping Strategy!
I’ve been talking about dollar store shopping this week. I’ve spent a couple of days sharing a few of my favorite dollar store deals with you. I was talking to a friend yesterday and she mentioned that she doesn’t dare shop at dollar stores. When I asked her why she said it was because she always spent WAY too much money or bought things that ending up disappointing her. I’ve actually heard that from other people at other times. Dollar store shopping is supposed to save you money, not cause you to spend more. I decided to take a break from talking about all of my dollar store favorites and talk a little bit about dollar store shopping strategy.
Dollar store shopping strategy is not hard to remember at all. In fact, most of my tips and dollar store shopping strategy ideas are common sense when you think about them.
Go with a list
Take a shopping list with you to the dollar store. It is easy to get distracted by all of the bargains and cheap items. You’ll spend only what you planned on spending if you stick to your list. Stick to your list – a great dollar store shopping strategy.
Impulse purchases add up
One of the money wasting traps of the dollar store hides in the same concept that makes it a money saver. Everything is only one dollar, what a concept! An extra dollar spent here and an extra dollar spent there can add up quickly. Before you know it, you’ve spent an extra $20-$30. Another dollar store shopping strategy is to avoid impulse purchases because everything is just one dollar.
Don’t shop hungry
Dollar stores have aisles and aisles of snacks, treats and other food. Treat dollar store shopping like grocery shopping, don’t shop hungry. If you follow this dollar store shopping strategy, you will spend less at the dollar store.
Read labels
Read the labels of the products you are buying. Items may look the same as your favorite product but they may be different. Check the ingredients and other labels on food, personal care products and medicines. This dollar store shopping strategy will save you from wasting money on a disappointing purchase.
Check expirations dates
This dollar store shopping strategy applies to foods, personal care products and medicines. If it can expire or go bad, check the expiration date. Usually products at the dollar store have ok expiration dates but I’ve seen expired products a time or two. Checking the expiration date is another good dollar store shopping strategy.
Compare sizes/weights
When buying something at a dollar store instead of a grocery or discount store, remember to compare the sizes and weights of the product. Sometimes packaging is deceiving and you are getting less than you usually get. Lots of products are the same but I have seen a few that are not. Be sure you are getting a bargain by using this dollar store shopping strategy.
Leave the kids home
I always spend less at the dollar store when I leave the kids home. They are impulse shoppers and want things just because they “are only one dollar.” Leaving the kids home is one more dollar store shopping strategy.
Have an idea to share? Let us know. We love to hear from you. Stay tuned this week as we continue the discussion about dollar store shopping.
Dollar Store Bargains!
We all hear so much about dollar stores, lots of good and lots of bad. Let’s face it, there are all sorts of stories about shopping at dollar stores. Sometime I think the most talked about purchases at dollar stores are those that are horrible. We’ve all seen or heard of horrible purchases people made at dollar stores. Dollar store purchases have a bad rap for being low quality. In reality, not everything at the dollar store is low quality. There are lots of dollar store bargains.
Dollar store bargains vary from store to store. Some stores may have items that other stores do not have, you have to take a look at what is available at your local dollar stores. My local dollar store has lots of things for parties and celebrations. These are some of the things I have found to be my favorite party related dollar store bargains at my local dollar store.
Mylar Balloons
My local dollar store carries Mylar balloons. They have lots of colors, shapes and themes. Around holidays they even have some really cute characters and specialty shaped balloons. The selection is pretty great and you can’t beat the price. Why pay four dollars or more for a balloon when you can get them for just one dollar. You can do a whole bouquet for the price of two somewhere else. Mylar balloons are definitely dollar store bargains.
Holiday Decorations
Have you seen the holiday decoration items available at dollar stores? There are usually all sorts of streamers, balloons, garlands, paper signs, banners and more of the disposable holiday decorating items. I love picking up these kinds of items at the dollar store, total dollar store bargains.
Greeting Cards
There is always a nice selection of greeting cards at my local dollar store. Greeting cards, especially birthday cards attached to gifts, are often read and tossed. Spending only a dollar on one is so much cheaper than the prices at grocery or discount stores. Greeting cards are another of my favorite dollar store bargains.
Gift Wrap and Bags
I love buying gift wrap supplies at my local dollar store. Gift bags and fluff to go inside are my favorites. I can usually get a cute bag for any occasion and then find fluff or tissue paper to go inside it. Gift wrap is another thing that is usually tossed so spending too much on it seems like a waste of money. I love these dollar store bargains.
Party Supplies
Does your dollar store have party supplies? My local dollar store has birthday party supplies and supplies for all sorts of other parties. They have all sorts of plates, cups, napkins and more décor with fun prints and themes – even some that the kids will love! There are all kinds of supplies for fancier parties and events. Colored or clear plates, cups, utensils, serving pieces and more can be found at my dollar store. They have clear plastic plates and cups that are pretty enough to use for weddings and other fancy events. These items are dollar store bargains for sure.
Do these dollar store bargains sound good to you? Have you thought about what quality dollar store bargains are available at the dollar store? If so, stay tuned this week as we talk more about shopping at dollar stores.