Every so often I forget all about the dollar store. Instead, I just go throughout my day-to-day life and do my regular shopping at my regular stores. I have realized that I should probably take a trip to the dollar store every few weeks, even just to remind myself of some of the great bargains that can be found there.
The other day I stopped at the dollar store to buy a card for a wedding reception. As I looked through the isles of the store that I had long-since neglected, I wondered why I had stayed away for so long. I found things there that I had paid at least three times as much for somewhere else! Here are some of my favorite dollar store finds:
Greeting Cards
Nearly all dollar stores sell various greeting cards. Most stores sell them for 50 cents a piece. Just a week ago I searched the greeting card shelves at Target for a wedding card that was inexpensive and not too lame. The best I could do was $2.59. I found plenty of wedding cards at the dollar store priced at two for a dollar. I also found a package of 12 blank cards with envelopes. These I will use for thank you notes or friendly letters.
Wrapping Paper
A dollar store really is the best place to buy wrapping paper. At other stores you will probably pay three dollars or more for a similar roll of paper. I like to search for the more simple patters, since they are more versatile and come with more square-footage per package. These are the best bargain.
Scrapbook Supplies
Many dollar stores today carry various scrapbooking odds and ends. At the store I went to, there was nearly a whole isle devoted to scrapbooking paper, albums, stickers, and other supplies. I found some medium-sized scrapbooking albums that were very cute and could have cost me at least six dollars a piece. I plan on using them to create inexpensive gifts for baby showers or weddings.
At the dollar store it’s easy to get carried away! Make sure that you are not buying a lot of extra items that you wouldn’t end up purchasing somewhere else. In order to really be saving money, your dollar store purchases need to replace purchases you would have otherwise made somewhere else.