TIP #1: Dollar Store Is Your Friend

Hey are you struggling these days to make that last dollar stretch? Are you struggling to find work or get more hours? Well I know how you feel! Take my advice especially during these hard times. If you need to make a dollar last or stretch go to your local dollar store. Believe me I wouldn't steer you wrong if I didn't mean it. I mean I'm a short blonde women and I know I get looks. Honestly who would think I would be shopping at the dollar store. Well you know what I've been doing it for years. You know what it's been the smartest thing I decided to do. I've saved myself so much money and especially if I'm in a pinch. Which happens so many times I lost count. I'm such a frugal person and I am so thrifty. How do I do it? Well first of all I just dress down a bit look straight a head be confident know what I'm looking for and I'm in and out and just like that I have 20 items for $20. How bout that!

I know what you're thinking when it comes to the dollar store. Homeless, drugged out doped up people hanging outside in low income scummy areas. When in actuality they are also in really nice areas and very well maintained. I get it! I use to think how could I do this and go into a store where there is homeless people staring at me begging for a dollar. Well honestly I've never had this kind of encounter. Most of the stores are pretty well managed, maintained and appealing. My favorite store is the Dollar Tree cause hey everything is a dollar. Plus its clean easy to navigate and they are always so friendly.

Since I moved to Florida back in February right when covid hit the Dollar Tree has been my saving grace. Honestly I havent been able to find work for months and the only way I was able to survive was thrift shopping. Local grocery stores where I scout out the freshest produce at the cheapest prices. Farmers Markets are closed and expensive. I can't afford to be doing that. On occasion WalMart has been a friend of mine. I do miss the grocery stores back in Seattle cause they had such great organic produce. But of course there's Whole Foods and Sprouts where I get my produce typically. The main store around here is Publix. Its very popular on the East coast. But hey I'm getting off topic. To get back on track I do want to point out that there are so many dollar stores down here. You can't go a block without seeing one. So I better be taking advantage of all my options and I'm gonna share with you my top 3 favorite dollar stores and reasons why.

Dollar Tree: is the best cause everything is a dollar. I stock up on things like cotton balls, hygrogen peroxide, baking soda, kitchen necessities like plates bowls and glasses, candles, they have a good variety for vegan treats like coconut chips, popcorn, rice cakes, and there's always a new rotation on new vegan goodies to try, they have vegan makeup ELF sometimes as well as shampoo and conditioner and the occasional face mask, as well as bath salts and sometimes I can find cans of coconut water.

Dollar General: is good for more variety and household decor and clothes and odds and ends. I got body towels there that are fast drying ones for $5 each, 2 face towels for $3 each and a hand towel $4, 2 pairs of tennis shoes nice basic simple clean ones for $5 a black and white pair. They also have water sport items like body boards. Which yes I did get one for $11 but realized this isn't gonna stabilize me cause it was made for a kid. Haha

Family Dollar: has a little more variety on brand name stuff and really cheap discount prices. I scored a $8 snorkel. They have decor stuff, clothes, makeup, personal care stuff, cleaning supplies, outdoor stuff for gardening and decorating, beach toys etc. It offers a little better variety for a couple dollars more than the Dollar Tree. I get coconut water here on occasion. I noticed they have magazines which none of the other stores had. I think I even remember seeing alcohol. Yes, I just read an article about it from last year announcing that they are selling alcohol. So get your drank on if you will.

Also they are expanding there vegan options in these stores a lot more now and have a good variety of snacks in every store. I always seem to find a new vegan item which is awesome. So I always grab atleast 2 or three of that item to keep it in demand and go back for it. Cause they can be an item that's short lived. Like a shampoo and conditioner. Or a face wash. Or a rice cake. Just examples of things I've recently discovered that haven't come back. So don't get your hopes up. If you see something and pass and expect to get it next time. Just remember its a dollar and just get it in the moment.

Hope this helps and finds you well during these tough of times! 💚

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