What's the world's favorite sweet treat? In my book that's chocolate, and at this time of year, there's more and more of it appearing on store shelves everywhere, including dollar stores. A box of chocolates is always a good choice when you're not sure what to get someone or just to have on hand as an extra gift when unexpected visitors show up bearing presents.

Small boxes of chocolates or cookies also make great additions to gift baskets. For the last three years, I have been adding 3.60 oz. boxes of chocolate-covered cookies to gifts and, having taste-tested them myself, can truthfully say that they're yummy. The box says they're imported but doesn't say where they're imported from, however, I've never had any problem with them. As a bonus, although they look like a more expensive cookie because , they're only a buck a box.

Continue reading Christmas sweets -- a dollar store taste test

Christmas sweets -- a dollar store taste test originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's been a tough couple of years for everyone but, even if some of us have had to make do with less, there are others who have been hit even harder. Whether it's right in your own neighborhood or overseas, there are at least two ways I can think of that dollar stores can help you to help others during this season of giving without inflicting too much pain on your pocket book.

Continue reading How the dollar store can help you help others

How the dollar store can help you help others originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Author Christiane Jory has created a companion DVD to her cookbook the 99-cent Only Stores Cookbook just in time for the holidays. Fabulously Frugal Feasts will show you how to create a holiday buffet that will feed seasonal foods to a houseful of guests for the same cost of delivered pizza. Sounds good, doesn't it?

The DVD has lots of delicious new recipes and helpful hints, as well as Christiane's own brand of gentle humor. The recipes are easy enough for anyone to make and they're printable, so you won't have to keep plugging in the DVD every time you want to try something. My cooking never strays much from plain old meat and potatoes 'cause I need easy. Having watched a couple of the videos, I've gotta say that these recipes look easy enough for even the kitchen-phobic to create.

Continue reading Fabulously frugal feasts from the dollar store

Fabulously frugal feasts from the dollar store originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When it comes to Halloween handouts, I usually wimp out and buy one larger item like bags of potato chips to shell out at the door. But it can be fun putting a bunch of smaller things into treat bags and, at dollar store prices, it doesn't have to cost a lot, either.

Besides, it's more fun for the kids to get a mystery bag of goodies and as Dollar Tree shows online, you don't have to confine your offerings to candy.

The skeleton hand bags shown on the Web site come in packages of 18 for $1 and could be fun but because of the fingers, they're really only suited to holding small candies like M & M's.

If you'd like to include larger items, try some Halloween printed twist tie bags or Zipper seal bags. At 25 bags for $1, you're also getting more bags with either of these.

The next consideration is what non-food treats to include. Dollar Tree makes a few suggestions, such as Halloween stickers, pencils, erasers, fun straws, rings and creepy creatures for $1 each package. I bought four packages of 10 pencils for $1 each.

Continue reading Create dollar store treat bags for little ghoulies and ghosts

Create dollar store treat bags for little ghoulies and ghosts originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Sat, 17 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dollar stores aren't the only retailers hosting weddings these days. According to the Omaha World-Herald, the York, Neb. Wal-mart Supercenter played host to its first wedding last week. Crystal Newsome and Robert Vickrey said their "I do's" in the lawn and garden department amid the greenery of the hanging plants. (Watch the wedding video here.)

The couple met at the Wal-Mart store several years ago and both continue to work there. Robert, the grocery department manager, has been with the store for 12 years. Crystal, who manages the deli, has worked there for five years.

Continue reading At this Wal-Mart Supercenter, I thee wed

At this Wal-Mart Supercenter, I thee wed originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dollar stores are great places to find bargains on any number of household needs but you can't always assume that, just because it's only $1, you're automatically getting the most bang for your buck. Prices and quantities may vary according to stores in your town, but going by my shopping list, here are 10 things you might want to go elsewhere for:

According to a 2004 Consumer Reports study of multi-vitamins, some of the nutrients listed on the label were missing from half of the 18 dollar store brands tested and other vitamins didn't dissolve fast enough to be absorbed by the body. They recommend sticking to the tried and true mainstream brands sold in pharmacies.

Apparently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not tightly control these products.

Not worth it at the dollar store? Dollar store vitamins originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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After months of raving about dollar stores and all of the neat stuff you can find there, I thought it was time to tell you about some of the things I've bought there over the years that they should never have tried to sell for a buck. Think of this as a buyer beware kind of thing.

Any store can be guilty of less-than-stellar products and in a department store, for example, you're going to be paying a lot more but at least you can take the item back if you're not happy with it.

My local dollar store doesn't allow refunds, which I imagine reduces their costs. If you buy something and then discover it's a piece of junk, you're stuck. Still, if you only come across a dud once in a while, you've only spent $1 and, in my case, I'll take a chance on something so I can report to readers of my newsletter when I do come across something that should be left on the shelf.

Continue reading Don't buy these dollar store duds

Don't buy these dollar store duds originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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I'm not a huge fan of Halloween's bloody masks, plastic severed limbs or fake knives that simulate the results of having been plunged into flesh, all of which I've seen at my local dollar store.

That being said, there's no denying that it's enormous fun playing dress-up, even for adults and, if you feel the way I do, dollar stores also have a lot less gruesome options available. Please check prices and availability in your area.

Start with a hat. When I was a kid, cowboys were the heroes. Today the big thing seems to be the anti-hero, the pirate.

I was surprised to find well-made cowboy hats in adult sizes at my local dollar store, some with a sheriff''s badge and there are also a variety of pirate hats, including a bandanna style and a pirate captain hat. There were also top hats and fedoras in adult sizes for $2 each. Other hats include kid-sized fedoras, bowler and top hats for a buck each and I also saw a hat that a small Zorro could wear.

Continue reading Easy (and cheap) Halloween costumes, dollar store style

Easy (and cheap) Halloween costumes, dollar store style originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Third Age has created a list of 50 ways to leave your clutter, both physically and emotionally. Basically, it comes down to A) identifying what's most important to you, and B) eliminating everything else.

That's the short list, and I'm not going to delve into all 50 points in the long list, but here are a few of the valid points made that we could all learn from. The writer suggests focusing on one point at a time among the ones that appeal to you, personally, and when you're done with that one, move on to the next.

At the top of the list, it is suggested and I agree that prioritizing is a must. What are the top four or five most important things in your life? Focus on the activities, hobbies and/or side businesses that you love doing and drop whatever doesn't line up with those activities.

Point 14 encourages us to create a simplicity statement that details what we want our simple life to look like and then write it down. As point 18 suggests, don't forget to include loved ones in your plan.

Time management is essential. I know I've been guilty of wasting time on frivolous tasks rather than focusing on my priorities. Points three to six encourage us to think about all the stuff we do at home and at work and do only essential tasks. Try to eliminate all the other stuff by automating, delegating or hiring help. Some people can't say "no" and so take on too much. Remember your list of priorities.

Continue reading Want to simplify your life? Let me count the (50) ways

Want to simplify your life? Let me count the (50) ways originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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As a 50-something female, I'll admit to having been lured by the siren call of wrinkle creams for years. Apparently, I'm not alone in wanting the claim of "brighter, younger-looking eyes" to be true. Americans spend more than $1 billion a year on wrinkle removers.

Anyhow, I was interested in the findings of tests conducted by Consumer Reports magazine about the effectiveness of 16 different over-the-counter eye creams. Ten of these creams are sold in the U.S. and six are European products, bought online and range in price from $20 to $95.

The participants in the study included 94 women and 13 men who were each asked to use two creams, one on each side of the face around the eyes, morning and night for six weeks and fill out questionnaires. The package labels were covered.

High-resolution digital photographs of each person's eye area were taken before the test, one hour after the first application and again after the six weeks of use were completed. Then trained sensory testers evaluated the before and after shots without knowing what wrinkle creams had been used.

Results varied. I was surprised to learn that a moisturizer with no anti-wrinkle claims that was used as a control, reduced wrinkles about as well as several high-rated creams did.

The tests showed that several of these wrinkle creams are worth trying. I was particularly pleased that a couple of my favorite brands, L'Oreal and Olay, made the grade. Still as anyone fighting the battle against saggy skin will attest, no product, however effective, is going to make you look like you're 19 again.

What were the rest of the brands tried, you ask? You have to subscribe to Consumer Reports online or buy the October 2009 issue to find out. I got a copy of the magazine and here's the list of the "slightly more effective" products, the ones that were found to smooth wrinkles somewhat better than the rest. The operative word here is "slightly."

L'Oreal Paris Dermo-Expertise Revitalift Double Lifting Eye, $41.34

Nivea Visage Anti-Rides Q10 Plus, $33.84

Dr. Brandt Lineless, $60

Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Anti-Aging Booster Eye Transforming Cream, $20

Continue reading Report says all eye creams are created equal regardless of price

Report says all eye creams are created equal regardless of price originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Over 2,999 couples from all over the U.S. were eager to be married at the 99-Cent Only Store at 5270 Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood on 9/9/09. Nine couples were chosen by random draw and now they've said their I-do's and paid their buck!

Continue reading Behind the scenes of the 99-Cent Only Store bargain wedding

Behind the scenes of the 99-Cent Only Store bargain wedding originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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99-Cent Only Stores is running a Countdown to 9-9-09 promotion involving a Word of the Day Game and a grand prize drawing for a Nintendo Wii game system. However, don't bother to enter unless you live in California, Arizona, Nevada or Texas. All other states are excluded.

If you live in any of the favored states, you can enter the sweepstakes online during the promotion period between Sept. 1-8 by visiting the 99-Cent Only Store Web site and following the directions provided to complete and submit an entry form.

You are limited to one sweepstakes entry per person, per e-mail address and per household per day but can enter every day during the promotion, if you wish.

Continue reading Win a Nintendo Wii from 99-Cent Only stores

Win a Nintendo Wii from 99-Cent Only stores originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scary masks and fall foliage have been gradually crowding out the swim goggles and garden fencing at my local dollar store. When I first noticed the August trend toward ghouls and gourds, I complained to dollar store staff, "it's too early for this stuff!" A couple of weeks before Halloween, Christmas stock will start making an appearance but, according to an article in the Toronto Star newspaper, Christmas has already arrived at some stores.

According to the article, desperate retailers are hoping to recover from the poor sales of the first part of the year, so at Costco, for instance, Christmas trees are parked beside the barbecues left over from an unseasonably cool Ontario summer, and the Sears Christmas catalog has long-since been delivered, although the store won't be carrying holiday merchandise until October, as usual.

Continue reading Christmas already? Retailers hope to recover from poor summer sales

Christmas already? Retailers hope to recover from poor summer sales originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This could be one for the books, under the heading "World's Cheapest Wedding."

Yeah, it was a publicity stunt hosted by 99-Cent Only Stores, but just think, no worries about renting a hall, what's on the menu or even contacting a minister, just plunk down your George Washington and get in line with your intended along with eight other couples.

Continue reading Nine couples to get hitched for 99-cents on 9/9/09

Nine couples to get hitched for 99-cents on 9/9/09 originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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While browsing in the housewares section of my local Walmart recently, a few things caught my eye, not because they were unique but because I had seen the same things at the dollar store. I realized that just buying one each of the five items mentioned below, one could save $12.91, and much more if you were to buy multiples.

So let's see how buying kitchen gadgets at the dollar store stacks up...

Micro-wave splatter cover -- I've been using my dollar store micro-wave splatter cover for years with no complaints and I only paid a buck for it. At Walmart you'll pay $3.22 and the only difference is the Walmart cover has a brand name attached to it along with a raised handle to grab onto instead of just finger holes. Are either of those things worth $2.22 to anyone?

Clear glass mugs -- A 16 oz. mug costs $4.15 at Walmart. Irish coffee mugs, which also happen to be just the right size for making a packet of hot chocolate are $2.29 each at Walmart. By opting for the dollar store mugs, you can save $3.15 for the larger mug and $1.29 for the smaller one. That's a total of $4.44, money you could be using to buy your favorite ground coffee or hot chocolate.

Clear glass dinner or side plates -- This style of plate, either the larger dinner plate or the side plate, is $1.37 at Walmart. If you're buying a few pieces, 37 cents can add up real quick so get them at the dollar store, instead. For example, if you want eight each of the dinner and side plates, you will be paying $21.92. The same 16 plates from the dollar store would only cost $16. Use the $5.92 saved to help fill those plates.

Continue reading Tasty! Kitchen necessities for less at the dollar store

Tasty! Kitchen necessities for less at the dollar store originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continue reading 99-Cent Only Stores staying in Texas after all

99-Cent Only Stores staying in Texas after all originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 21 Aug 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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As I recall, writing an essay for school was not high on anyone's list of favorite things to do. But what if you could get paid for your efforts? Now were talking!

A contest from Family Dollar and Scotch-Brite gives kids a chance to win up to $25,000 for higher education. All you have to do is write an essay of 100-250 words that answers the question "How can higher education make a powerful difference in your life?"

You must be between the ages of 15 and 18 years to enter and a parent or legal guardian must give consent, review the official rules and sign the official entry form, if you are a minor. No purchase is necessary.

Continue reading Essay contest offers $100,000 for college

Essay contest offers $100,000 for college originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Box Tops For Education is a concept that has helped American schools to earn more than $300 million in the past 12 years. The idea is to save the box tops from participating General Mills products and send them to the school of your choice.

The program is open to any accredited public, private or parochial school containing any class with students from kindergarten to grade eight.

To participate, the school must be registered in the Box Tops For Education program and each school must designate a school coordinator in order to be enrolled. See the official rules for full details.

Continue reading Save box tops, help your kid's school

Save box tops, help your kid's school originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fallacy: Anything from China is junk or worse, unsafe and, since that's all dollar stores stock, they must bear the brunt of these accusations.

Fact: Every year, China exports billions of dollars worth of merchandise to the U.S. and Canada. Even excluding all of the machinery, electronics, and other expensive items, I don't think dollar stores could possibly be the only ones selling Chinese merchandise. Heck, even the princess figurine I brought back from Disney World a few years ago was made in China, as are most of this American icon's souvenirs. Bottom line: If you are concerned about food or plastic products from China at the dollar store or anywhere else for that matter, don't buy them. However, it's simply not fair to classify all dollar store products as junk. There is much to choose from that comes from China, Turkey, Germany or even the U.S. and Canada that is exceptional value for a buck or two.

Fallacy: Brand name cookies, crackers and other packaged foods that end up in the dollar store are bound to be stale.

Fact: Dollar store buyers develop relationships with many different manufacturers and are on the spot to snap up overstock. If you've be stung before, do what you would do in any other store; check the best-before date.

Fallacy: Dollar store chocolate bars and candies must have been sitting around for a long time before they got to a dollar store.

Fact: I love my Hershey bars and jujubes and I've haven't come across anything stale from my dollar store yet. Consider: how long would customers keep buying the candy, if everything they bought turned out to be stale?

Continue reading The truth about dollar stores

The truth about dollar stores originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Buying school supplies from the dollar store is much cheaper than buying them anywhere else. Here's proof:

Dollar General is featuring Bic Briteliners in a package of five and Elmer's disappearing purple glue sticks in four-packs for $2 each package.

Six Papermate highlighters cost $3.76 and UHU glue sticks are $2.17 for .74 ounces. and $1.97 for a .88 ounce Elmer Glue Stick at Wal-mart.

Dollar General also has eight-packs of Bic Cristal pens, 8-packs of Bic Grip pens and a package of five Bic mechanical pencils for only $1.50 per pack.

Continue reading Fill your backpack for less at dollar stores

Fill your backpack for less at dollar stores originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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