When I moved to California three years ago, I was beyond broke. Bryan and I were living apart and paying for rent in two cities. I was lucky enough to find an amazing room mate, Catherine. I learned many things from Catherine {which I'll have to delve into further at another point} but one thing Catherine taught me, was to embrace the dollar store. I've always been cool with buying cards there, or rubbing alcohol. But everything else? I assumed that the products were expired and or nasty. Particularly the food. Nope. Catherine showed me the ropes, and explained the deal. Companies sell overstock or agree to cut prices because they are assured a return at lower tags. That's why they are at the local 99 cent store. What do I love to get?
- Mexican food: Tampatio, tortillas, salsa, fresh limes, beans, tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, canned minced garlic, and occasionally fresh California avocado.
- Fruits and Veggies: the fruit in season; but usually apples, tiny bananas, strawberries, and blackberries. Bags of fresh spinach, corn on the cob, mushrooms, carrot sticks, and yellow squash. {I love sauteing their yellow squash with butter, olive oil and shallots!}
- Personal hygiene: Colgate tooth paste, rubbing alcohol, bandages, q-tips, tissues, cotton balls, razors, and shaving cream.
- Guiltless pleasures: sometimes they have Yoplait yogurt, Tollhouse cookie dough, and yesterday I bought a box of Land-O-Lakes butter, that I usually pay twice as much for at the regular store.
- Fun Frills: Fresh flowers, plants, herbs, doilies, party favors, and toys, tons of toys! I love getting silly stocking stuffers or Easter basket items there.
The best part about shopping the dollar store A.) You NEVER know what you are going to find. B.) You will be shocked by the savings. Two huge, reusable bags usually run me $18-$25.00. Why pay more when you can get the basics for a fraction of the price? And no one but you will know the difference. So don't be a critic like I was. Give your local dollar store another chance!
