Top 10 Dollar Store Bargains

The dollar store is one of my favorite places to shop. I shop the chain dollar stores like Dollar Tree, the mom and pop Dollar Stores and flea market dollar store booths. Dollar stores are the closest thing we have to the old fashioned Dime Stores some of us are old enough to remember.

Without much money or time, you can go into the dollar store and come out with a bag or two full of useful or fun things. Some of my staple necessities are purchased at dollar stores because the cost is much better than the supermarket or Wal-Mart.

Aluminum Foil - I get 25 foot rolls of various off brands of aluminum foil at the dollar store. The aluminum foil is not going to lift a whole turkey like you see on TV, but it is just great for covering cookie sheets and wrapping up left over's which is why I need Aluminum Foil.

Dog Toys - My dogs love soft, plush Dog Toys that have a squeaker inside. They play with them for a week or a few days or just a few hours and then "kill" them by ripping them to shreds and removing the squeaker. They will do this whether the toy cost $9 at the pet store or a dollar at the dollar store so guess where I buy them?

Inkjet Labels - This is one of my favorite finds from the dollar store. I get 12 sheets of 1" x 2 5/8" labels 30 per sheet for one Dollar. These labels are the same as the Avery 8160 Labels that cost 10 times as much. I've price checked everywhere and there is no name brand or store brand that can even come close to this price. The Labels work very well. They do not jam the printer and they stick well.

Movie Candy - The boxes of movie candy for $1 beat the daylights out of movie prices of $5 or more for a box of candy. The dollar store has a wide selection and when I go to the movies I bring my big purse and save money with dollar store candy.

Organizers - The dollar store has a huge variety of plastic baskets to organize your drawers, your closets, kids' toys, tools, the kitchen or whatever space needs organized. You often get a multi pack of baskets for a dollar and they come in every size and shape you can imagine.

Decorations - If you feel the urge to decorate for a holiday, save money and do it at the Dollar Store. There are thousands of decorations for every major holiday. You can decorate your tree or your yard and at a dollar an item you can get many decorations. Even discount chain stores like Wal-Mart charge a lot more for holiday decorations, so shop the dollar store first.

Kitchen Accessories - Spatulas, spoons, scrubbers, measuring cups and can openers are just a dollar and you can buy exactly what you need. A plastic spatula is a plastic spatula and I have never been disappointed.

Toys - You child can come shop and pick out any toy or for that matter anything else in the store for just a dollar. What a deal. When you don't actually need toys, just the fun of shopping and selecting something this is a great reward for your little one.

Disposable table ware - You can set up the party with coordinating table covers, plates, cups napkins and silverware and decorate the table too for a dollar an item. Even big party supply stores charge more so pick your colors and make a list for the dollar store.

Something you don't need just because - Buy yourself something you want, but don't need because it's only a dollar and it's fun. Things like a blank journal, some bubble bath a candle or a bag of licorice are a little indulgence to brighten a dreary day.

The dime stores are gone, but the dollar store fills the need for an inexpensive and fun place to shop for life's little things.