The Five Biggest Bargains You Wouldn't Expect to Find in the Dollar Store

Of all the retail inventions of the 20th century, the creation of the dollar store has to rank amongst the highest. Now, I'm not referring to just any dollar store, I'm talking about the stores where nothing inside has a price tag of over $1.

Among the aisles of the expected toothpaste and hairbrushes, there are some shocking bargains that might surprise even the most frugal of shoppers.

1. Underwear. Yes, underwear. Really. Our local dollar store sometimes (but not always) will carry name brand underwear and bras for only $1.00. Sometimes the $9.99 and $14.99 price tags are even left dangling from the garments. Buying a bra with a $14.99 price tag for only $1.00 can be a very good bargain.

2. Socks. Another significant savings. The variety ranges to everything from athletic socks, fancy lace socks, trouser socks, and pantyhose. Considering that socks can range from $2 per pair and up, finding socks at the dollar store can save a great deal of money. My best socks-find ever was packages of children's six-pack namebrand athletic socks. Each pack was $1, which comes out to only $.16 per pair. At this price, my fury boils down to only anger when one of my daughters leaves her clean white socks in the yard after a three-hour mudstorm or walks through the flower bed while chasing the neighborhood cat.

3. Helium balloons. Remember those fancy balloons you buy at the florist for $12.00 each? Well, the dollar store carries those in a variety of occasions for only $1. If I purchase a weight to weigh down the balloon, the total cost is only $2. A total balloon bouquet can be made for under $5.

4. Gift baskets. I've made gift baskets for under $10 by using items I've found at the dollar store. This also allows me to be creative and cater the basket to the person who is receiving the gift. I've made baskets with notepads, pens, stamps, and envelopes. I've also given gifts (to the men in my life who seem to have everything) of a pail filled with sponges, windex, car cleaning supplies and fresheners. I can easily buy a gift for under $10, including the basket.

5. Pregnancy tests. Yes, a strange find. But, if you're in the market for these, the dollar store is the place to buy them. Name brand tests range in price from $12 to $20. Generic-brand pregnancy tests give the same results for only $1 each.

Shopping first at the dollar store for items we use can be an adventure and easily saves our family several hundred dollars per year.