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Home > Smart Spending > Archives > 2008 > December > 04
Thursday, December 4, 2008
It Makes Sense — and Cents — To Hit The Dollar Stores
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Safety pins. I needed a bunch of ‘em. My corner drug store was charging $2.99. The voice in Mr. Cheapskatin’s head said, “You can do better than this.”
My errands took me past a dollar store. It’s a place I rarely frequent but, pining for those pins, I ducked in.
Bingo! A box for a buck.
As your savings are being stretched then to the point of anorexia, you should consider patronizing dollar stores. Proponents say they have evolved into clean, organized shopping alternatives, though the one nearest me isn’t exactly Nieman Marcus for neatness.
First-timers often are surprised to discover name-brand products on the shelves. Dollar store chains negotiate deals with companies trying to unload selected items because they were produced in excess or fell out of fad. The stuff is legit.
Here is a web site that lists categories for best buys at the stores.
And this site is geared toward the business traveler.
Do you include dollar stores in your shopping rounds?
How do you rate them for easy-to-find goods? For cleanliness?
Me, I use them on occasion, like satisfying a safety pin shortage. As for becoming a frequent dollar store person, don’t pin me down on that.
To find ways to help make you way through a bumpy economy check out Your Money.
