The Best Deals Found in a Dollar Store

Are you one of the millions who love shopping at a dollar store? Regardless of which company, there are so many good deals to be found. Some are better than others. The jury may still be out on whether clothes found in a dollar store are worth the buck to get them, and sometimes the food adds up to being more per serving than at a traditional grocery store, but there are some items I will highly recommend, based upon my personal experience.

Several of these dollar store companies are "closeout/buyout" types of stores. So, when you see a good deal, you might want to make sure and grab them while they're available. They could be gone the next day, and the opportunity gone forever.

Cleaning supplies Some cleaning jobs might require disposable brooms, dustpans or mops. Why spend more than you must for something you're not going to keep? Perhaps you wanna save a few dollars and try a cleaning solution equal to other brand names, at a third of the price. I find the cleaning supplies at the different dollar stores to be of the same level of quality found elsewhere, but nowhere near as expensive.

Party supplies Wrapping paper, gift bags, party favors, decorations, balloons, cards and other party supplies can be found at various dollar stores, and their prices often beat the other stores. Sure, other stores can offer what's called a loss-leader, but they make up for it with the mark-up on other items.

Tools and other handyman stuff The first time I saw a package of paint brushes for a buck, right next to screwdrivers, tape measures, drop-clothes and extension cords at the same price I let out a yelp. With my penchant for dropping (and breaking) items just as soon as I get to the top of a ladder, these prices help keep the experience less painful and tools easier to replace.

It's completely understandable why a professional contractor might prefer to stick with a particular brand of tools. But for an amateur like myself, a tape measure will probably only get used once, and then lost. Call me cheap if you like, because I am.

Books I'm a reader, just like millions of others. And while there might be certain non-fiction topics I'm willing to pay full retail for, I like my fiction escapist cheap and mass-produced. Besides, the books found at a dollar store are often newer writers who need a little exposure to the general public.

New literary talent shows up every day. Give them a shot, and you'll probably find a gem. You'll even find some non-fiction worth picking up every now and then. Besides the general books, there are also activity books for kids, puzzle books for bored travelers - even bibles. The next time you're in your favorite dollar store, check the book section out.