I don't do a lot of shopping but my Mother finds great shirts and ties for me - some still have the tags on. She also has found very nice wine glasses and crystal bowls - some are signed pieces.
I'm not sure if this is inappropriate for this website or not but condoms are significantly cheaper on Amazon as well. A 12 pack of Trojans at the store is usually around 12 to 14 dollars but you can get a 36 pack on Amazon for the same price.
Yes, I just received a debit card today from Netspend that I did not apply for. Thankfully, I decided to research this company before activating it, because I was actually considering doing so! I came across your article, and I am very thankful to you for writing it. I am cutting this card up and throwing it directly into the trash!
Thank you, very helpful. I agree with much of what you report but not everything… I hope you don't mind if I pipe in and offer my two cents. I agree that the party supplies are great, but not the greeting cards. They scream "I came from the Dollar Store" as they are made of flimsy, grainy paper and their artwork and designs are corny and dated looking. I agree also about the glassware. I bought some really fine looking highball glasses that are heavy and expensive looking. Not only that, I bought 12 ivory dinner plates and 12 soup bowls with beaded edging (same design as Martha Stuart) about five years ago - by far my number one purchase from the DT. Not a single chip in any of them, and elegant enough to use at a dinner party. No lie. You are right, the kitchen utensils for not great, but there are a few good ones, especially the red Betty Crocker frosting spatula and BC kitchen shears (surprising, but true). Also, unlike you, I've gotten some good tools like pliers, measuring tape, and utility knives. I also think the paint brushes are perfectly adequate, except the foam brushes which are terrible, very flimsy and tend to decompose in paint. I differ also on the crayons and markers as well, both of which are of very poor quality. The crayons have a faint color and break easily.
A few ramdom thoughts....
The safety pins are super flimsy, easily bending and becoming unhitched.
The tape is okay, but do not buy double stick tape unless it's 3-M (which is in stock occasionally but not often).
Great clothes pins and clothes line...
Love the brooms, dust pans, foil (Reynolds), and Glad extra large storage ziplock bags.
My favorite cleaning product is Lime Away. I don't think I want to know what it's made of, but it does the job! Never seen anything like it. Somehow, the window cleaner is terrible though.
Most importantly, I have always bought GE lightbulbs at the DT, but I never will again. Just had one explode and read that this is common with cheap lightbulbs, made in China, like theirs. Scary.
Even scarier is that I could go on and on about Dollar Tree items, which tells me it's time to read a book, help a neighbor, or go for a walk. Over and out....
Random decoration pieces for our apartment. They are unique to each store usually, have some character, and are typically a great price. We have a painting, vases, and a record storage holders from various thrift stores in the holder.
Is this list for just a single person or a 2 or 3 person family? I can see maybe two people. We made freezer meals for our family of 3 for $290 including toilet paper and other necessities, but that's not including the tiips back to the grocery store for more eggs or milk or bread almost every week. I'm thinking we could get a few more gallons of milk and loaves of bread at the beginning of the month and freeze them until we need a new one. I know eggs aren't gong to freeze well at all obviously! LOL I'm thinking my family and I could bring our budget down a bit more by doing peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for a few meals a week with a side of fruit. Thanks for this list thought! I'll definitely be keeping it in my future resources list! :D
Last year, my father bought me a laundry basket from a dollar store. When you or a toddler sits on the laundry basket, it will break easily. In 2014, I also have bought two packs of combs and a bandana at a dollar store. I used the dollar worth combs to comb my hair. A lot of the comb's teeth broke. I also think buying a box or two of jigsaw puzzles and pencils are safe for adult people. I do not trust the frozen or non perishable foods, cotton swabs, feminine products, cologne, or hair conditioners over there.
I love finding quality clothing second-hand, but I don't always have success and it's difficult when I'm shopping with a little one. I do like picking up children's clothing and I've also had good luck finding books to read and craft supplies. My greatest find was a cute flannel polka dot sheet for 50¢, split it in half and made curtains for my daughters room (with some white lining I already had on hand).
My favorite thrift store find is jeans! Love that they are prewashed and shrunk already...and I know if I try them on...they will fit perfectly!!! I also LOVE to find books!!!
We started last year with a tent with sides curtains. We like doing the long yard sales and some festivals. Snow Cones $2.00, lemon shake ups 20 oz $3.00, pickle on a stick $1.00, can coke 1.00 bottled water 1.00 A few more items, none real expensive. We now are working on a camper trailer converting it to a concession stand. Yes, everything is expensive that we have to do to it. One part will be our sleeping quarters with separate door. We have always gotten 100 % rating from health inspectors. We are as clean as we would want to eat at another vendor. Weather has a lot to do with sales. I am 71, husband 69 just trying to make extra income to survive. I have seen lots set up selling food that I would not dare eat at. Gloves on hands and they are handling everything then food. Good luck to all who will work, without wanting free handouts. When food is to high I walk on by.
We have a battery operated fan that hangs above our bed in the tent and a tarp over the whole tent all the time keeps it cool during the day then open the zippered Windows at night for cool air.we take the shelf out of oven to cook on so we can do pans as well and pack food in with bottles of ice so when they melt the kids have cold water to drink. We have a large family and have learned lots of easy cheap ways to make it easier. U can get bundles of sage cheap on Amazon, throw into the fire and keeps bugs away. There are lots of diy toilets with buckets and a piece of pool noodle sliced then on top of bucket for a seat.
I was at the check out of my local Goodwill and almost paid when I spotted a beautiful 7 piece coral collection on a window shelf by the exit door. I asked the clerk to wait a moment and took my cart over and fiendishly loaded it up. It was a $800 set for $100. I was in heaven. I had been looking for coral for years and had only found small pieces. These were large mounted museum pieces. I hit the jackpot! I look at them every day and am thankful I went thrift store shopping that day!
Just came back from the UK using American Airlines miles. I grew up there so I try to go as often as I can using credit card sign on bonus miles. We visited Paris and I used American Airmiles and IHG points for our hotel stays. Hope to visit Iceland and Florida next year. I've been doing the credit cards rewards game for years now. I can't begin to tally up the miles and points we've accumulated and spent. I can tell you that the UK is not so generous with their rewards programs so we are lucky here.
It's funny how all these adults think teens actually have a lot of free time. I'm not even a teen yet (12 years, eighth grade) and this is one of the only times I have ever looked up things to do! Half of the week I leave my house before dawn and don't get back until after the sun has set.
The people in the comments section really like to pat themselves on the back for living in smaller places and point fingers at anyone that lives in a bigger space.
As I said in an earlier post, I bought what I saw as the best value in my area. I initially wanted less square footage, but I could not find anything worth putting my money into.
So, why don't all you self righteous commenters move into tents or homeless shelters? That way you will really declutter and be environmentally conscious.
A lot depends on the housing market in the area you are buying. I wanted a smaller house, but the small houses in my area are usually not very well designed, updated, or maintained.
The square footage in smaller homes is not laid out well either. They took the floor plan of a larger home and condensed it down. So, you are left with a several tiny rooms that are not good for much.
On mornings when I don't shower, I clean my face and the back of my neck with isopropyl alcohol on a small piece of cotton. It takes off any dirt and also removes the excess oil from my skin. It's faster than using soap and a wash cloth, then towelling dry. I recommend using the 91% iso rather than the normal 70% since the higher concentration is more effective and allows you to use less. Oh, and a 1 pint bottle usually lasts me around 4 months.
"Take criticism of the potato with a grain of salt…and then take that grain of salt and sprinkle it on a lovely Yukon gold."
Good stuff right there!
I don't do a lot of shopping but my Mother finds great shirts and ties for me - some still have the tags on. She also has found very nice wine glasses and crystal bowls - some are signed pieces.
I love having bowls for lunch. Thanks for the roundup of new recipes to try!
I'm not sure if this is inappropriate for this website or not but condoms are significantly cheaper on Amazon as well. A 12 pack of Trojans at the store is usually around 12 to 14 dollars but you can get a 36 pack on Amazon for the same price.
these ideas are really good but you should have some for children.
Yes, I just received a debit card today from Netspend that I did not apply for. Thankfully, I decided to research this company before activating it, because I was actually considering doing so! I came across your article, and I am very thankful to you for writing it. I am cutting this card up and throwing it directly into the trash!
I found some clothes and also some
Antique furniture.
Thank you, very helpful. I agree with much of what you report but not everything… I hope you don't mind if I pipe in and offer my two cents. I agree that the party supplies are great, but not the greeting cards. They scream "I came from the Dollar Store" as they are made of flimsy, grainy paper and their artwork and designs are corny and dated looking. I agree also about the glassware. I bought some really fine looking highball glasses that are heavy and expensive looking. Not only that, I bought 12 ivory dinner plates and 12 soup bowls with beaded edging (same design as Martha Stuart) about five years ago - by far my number one purchase from the DT. Not a single chip in any of them, and elegant enough to use at a dinner party. No lie. You are right, the kitchen utensils for not great, but there are a few good ones, especially the red Betty Crocker frosting spatula and BC kitchen shears (surprising, but true). Also, unlike you, I've gotten some good tools like pliers, measuring tape, and utility knives. I also think the paint brushes are perfectly adequate, except the foam brushes which are terrible, very flimsy and tend to decompose in paint. I differ also on the crayons and markers as well, both of which are of very poor quality. The crayons have a faint color and break easily.
A few ramdom thoughts....
The safety pins are super flimsy, easily bending and becoming unhitched.
The tape is okay, but do not buy double stick tape unless it's 3-M (which is in stock occasionally but not often).
Great clothes pins and clothes line...
Love the brooms, dust pans, foil (Reynolds), and Glad extra large storage ziplock bags.
My favorite cleaning product is Lime Away. I don't think I want to know what it's made of, but it does the job! Never seen anything like it. Somehow, the window cleaner is terrible though.
Most importantly, I have always bought GE lightbulbs at the DT, but I never will again. Just had one explode and read that this is common with cheap lightbulbs, made in China, like theirs. Scary.
Even scarier is that I could go on and on about Dollar Tree items, which tells me it's time to read a book, help a neighbor, or go for a walk. Over and out....
Random decoration pieces for our apartment. They are unique to each store usually, have some character, and are typically a great price. We have a painting, vases, and a record storage holders from various thrift stores in the holder.
Is this list for just a single person or a 2 or 3 person family? I can see maybe two people. We made freezer meals for our family of 3 for $290 including toilet paper and other necessities, but that's not including the tiips back to the grocery store for more eggs or milk or bread almost every week. I'm thinking we could get a few more gallons of milk and loaves of bread at the beginning of the month and freeze them until we need a new one. I know eggs aren't gong to freeze well at all obviously! LOL I'm thinking my family and I could bring our budget down a bit more by doing peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for a few meals a week with a side of fruit. Thanks for this list thought! I'll definitely be keeping it in my future resources list! :D
Last year, my father bought me a laundry basket from a dollar store. When you or a toddler sits on the laundry basket, it will break easily. In 2014, I also have bought two packs of combs and a bandana at a dollar store. I used the dollar worth combs to comb my hair. A lot of the comb's teeth broke. I also think buying a box or two of jigsaw puzzles and pencils are safe for adult people. I do not trust the frozen or non perishable foods, cotton swabs, feminine products, cologne, or hair conditioners over there.
I love finding quality clothing second-hand, but I don't always have success and it's difficult when I'm shopping with a little one. I do like picking up children's clothing and I've also had good luck finding books to read and craft supplies. My greatest find was a cute flannel polka dot sheet for 50¢, split it in half and made curtains for my daughters room (with some white lining I already had on hand).
I like to buy baskets.
My favorite thrift store find is jeans! Love that they are prewashed and shrunk already...and I know if I try them on...they will fit perfectly!!! I also LOVE to find books!!!
We started last year with a tent with sides curtains. We like doing the long yard sales and some festivals. Snow Cones $2.00, lemon shake ups 20 oz $3.00, pickle on a stick $1.00, can coke 1.00 bottled water 1.00 A few more items, none real expensive. We now are working on a camper trailer converting it to a concession stand. Yes, everything is expensive that we have to do to it. One part will be our sleeping quarters with separate door. We have always gotten 100 % rating from health inspectors. We are as clean as we would want to eat at another vendor. Weather has a lot to do with sales. I am 71, husband 69 just trying to make extra income to survive. I have seen lots set up selling food that I would not dare eat at. Gloves on hands and they are handling everything then food. Good luck to all who will work, without wanting free handouts. When food is to high I walk on by.
We have a battery operated fan that hangs above our bed in the tent and a tarp over the whole tent all the time keeps it cool during the day then open the zippered Windows at night for cool air.we take the shelf out of oven to cook on so we can do pans as well and pack food in with bottles of ice so when they melt the kids have cold water to drink. We have a large family and have learned lots of easy cheap ways to make it easier. U can get bundles of sage cheap on Amazon, throw into the fire and keeps bugs away. There are lots of diy toilets with buckets and a piece of pool noodle sliced then on top of bucket for a seat.
I was at the check out of my local Goodwill and almost paid when I spotted a beautiful 7 piece coral collection on a window shelf by the exit door. I asked the clerk to wait a moment and took my cart over and fiendishly loaded it up. It was a $800 set for $100. I was in heaven. I had been looking for coral for years and had only found small pieces. These were large mounted museum pieces. I hit the jackpot! I look at them every day and am thankful I went thrift store shopping that day!
you also should add smartphones and large TV,s etc
Just came back from the UK using American Airlines miles. I grew up there so I try to go as often as I can using credit card sign on bonus miles. We visited Paris and I used American Airmiles and IHG points for our hotel stays. Hope to visit Iceland and Florida next year. I've been doing the credit cards rewards game for years now. I can't begin to tally up the miles and points we've accumulated and spent. I can tell you that the UK is not so generous with their rewards programs so we are lucky here.
I like finding decor for my home.
It's funny how all these adults think teens actually have a lot of free time. I'm not even a teen yet (12 years, eighth grade) and this is one of the only times I have ever looked up things to do! Half of the week I leave my house before dawn and don't get back until after the sun has set.
By your line of reasoning you don't *need* your townhouse either.
The people in the comments section really like to pat themselves on the back for living in smaller places and point fingers at anyone that lives in a bigger space.
As I said in an earlier post, I bought what I saw as the best value in my area. I initially wanted less square footage, but I could not find anything worth putting my money into.
So, why don't all you self righteous commenters move into tents or homeless shelters? That way you will really declutter and be environmentally conscious.
A lot depends on the housing market in the area you are buying. I wanted a smaller house, but the small houses in my area are usually not very well designed, updated, or maintained.
The square footage in smaller homes is not laid out well either. They took the floor plan of a larger home and condensed it down. So, you are left with a several tiny rooms that are not good for much.
On mornings when I don't shower, I clean my face and the back of my neck with isopropyl alcohol on a small piece of cotton. It takes off any dirt and also removes the excess oil from my skin. It's faster than using soap and a wash cloth, then towelling dry. I recommend using the 91% iso rather than the normal 70% since the higher concentration is more effective and allows you to use less. Oh, and a 1 pint bottle usually lasts me around 4 months.