10 Budget-Worthy Things you Should be Buying from the Dollar Store

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Sure, it’s just another stop to make when you’re out running errands, but dollar stores can save you a ton of cash. And if there’s one fairly close to where you live, there’s no reason you shouldn’t peek in and see if they stock anything you regularly use. Here are my top-ten dollar store products that I won’t purchase anywhere else: 

1. Coffee Filters. I usually get about 150 per pack for $1 compared to the 100 you can get at a grocery store for $1.50–2. 

2. Paper napkins.  They’re always cheaper than the grocery store and you get either the same amount of napkins per package or more (much like the coffee filters).

3. Mailing supplies—envelopes, tape, bubble wrap, tissue paper, etc. If you’re looking for tape, try the clear tape in the electrical section! It’s essentially the same except for the fact that there’s more on the rolls in that section than the rolls in the office supplies section. 

4. Aluminum foil, plastic wrap, sandwich bags, etc. I mean, there’s usually less product on the roll, but I’m not blowing through it like I would be if there were multiple people living with me. Since it’s just me and I don’t use as much on a regular basis, I think it’s a fair price. 

5. Sponges. There are always a variety and multiple sponges per package! 

6. Matches. You could spent a $2–3 at any other store, or you could get the exact same thing for a mere $1 at the dollar store.

7. Dog poop bags. I mean, seriously. I shouldn’t have to pay $13 to pick up my dog’s poop—four rolls of baggies for $1 is a much fairer price. Better yet: reuse plastic shopping bags or produce bags (like the ones you put your veggies in at the store).

8. Super glue. It’s essentially the same product, but for $1. And sometimes you get two or three in the package. I’d say it’s a good deal.

9. Cotton balls and Q-tips. It seems to me that when I buy these anywhere else, they’re always marked just a few cents above a dollar, say for $1.08 or $1.15. A few cents here and there add up! Stick to the dollar store, where everything is always a dollar (except sometimes canned veggies, which I’ve seen for under $1).

10. Frozen soft pretzels. I know, I know, food from the Dollar Tree sounds sketchy and is generally pretty hit-or-miss, but my god are the frozen soft pretzels amazing. Treat yourself to a box or two (or five)—I always do. 

Stay tuned later this week for the 10 things you SHOULDN’T buy from the dollar store! Which will be infinitely funnier, I promise.

In the meantime, do you shop at dollar stores? If so, what have you found to be the best products? 

Plato's Closet: Worth your time?

I didn't sell the dog, I promise!

Plato’s Closet—that secondhand clothing store kind of like Goodwill, but with more headache-inducing, throbbing music and brand-name tags. Plato’s Closet promises to pay cash for your clothing, but is it worth your time?

I normally sell on eBay because I can control the price and can write a spiffy little blurb that might entice more bidders. Example: “This sweater would be so nice for fall and would look cute paired with a maxi skirt and chunky jewelry. Pre-loved but in great condition!”
You get the idea.

But some of my eBay inventory has been sitting unsold in a box in my closet for over a year now, and I mostly just want to get rid of it at this point. Everything I sell is gently used and in good condition (not to mention trendy—way too trendy for me), so I figured, why not give Plato’s Closet a try? I could potentially make a few bucks selling to them compared to donating it all to Goodwill and losing money on clothing I hardly ever wore (aka horrible impulse buys).

Let me set the scene for you:

Saturday morning, and country music is blaring through speakers hidden behind glossy mannequins smothered in enormous (slightly matted) fur coats and rainbow-faceted rhinestone jewelry. Rack upon rack is stuffed with leopard print chiffon blouses and chevron print maxi dresses.

You’ve not had enough coffee for this. 

You wobble to the selling counter beneath the weight of paper bags near bursting and are told to show picture ID in order to sell. It’s embarrassing how unlike you your driver’s license looks (not to mention it’s still vertical after four years). A gentle pressure like two fingertips settles deep behind the spot connecting the bridge of your nose to your eyes. It’s too early for this.

You’re told the wait will be twenty minutes.

So you wander around the store for forty minutes, migraine making itself comfier inside your head, as the music continues to pulsate and the kaleidoscope of clothing warps around the edges of your vision, until you’ve no idea how many times you’ve circled the store while pretending to browse. 

 There is absolutely nothing you want or can afford on a graduate student’s budget.

This is the reality of Plato’s closet: They’re picky and only looking for uber-trendy items for the coming season. They rip you off. Of the two beyond-stuffed bags of clothing and accessories I brought in, they picked four things I’d never worn and gave me $17 dollars—yes, that includes a pair of Steve Madden shoes which alone cost way more than $17.

I understand they have to make a profit, but their marketing is misleading. I probably could have made more by selling online, but who’s to say any of it would have sold in a timely manner? Plus, $17 is better than donating everything to a thrift store and not receiving anything in return.

So, is it worth your time to try to sell to Plato’s Closet? If you’re willing to spend somewhere near forty minutes on the chance they might not take any of your clothing, sure. I feel like I wasted a good portion of my day—time is precious to me since I have a packed schedule and I don’t like my time wasted.

However, I did use the money to buy a few groceries and this cute $5 dress from Goodwill, so I can’t complain too much. Mostly I’m just annoyed their music gave me a migraine.

Thrifty Threads Thursday, 11.20.14

Please excuse the pickle jar.

Hello, everyone! I thought I'd try something new here today. As many of you know, I love shopping at thrift stores. Like, it's probably one of my favorite things to do. I take pride in my wardrobe because hardly anything in it was bought brand new or at full price, and I love gushing to people about how with a little time and lots of imagination, you'll always find something amazing and save a ton of money. Did I mention you'll also look fabulous?

I'm thinking this will be a weekly feature. I'll show you what I wore and where all the pieces came from, in addition to a rough estimate as to what the whole outfit cost, sort of to prove that you don't have to spend a ton of cash to have style or dress nice. Sound good? Good.

Forewarning: Dog butts may make an appearance every now and then.

Also I kinda wanted to show off my new hair. Yes, I'm officially a blonde now. What do you think? I think I love it.

This outfit could have used a thick brown belt or a long necklace, but it looks fine this way too, I suppose.

Shirt-dress: 4.99, Goodwill
Leggings: 9.99, Shopko
Boots: 9.99, Goodwill
Socks: .99, Walmart
Total: 25.96

Lipstick is Blackberry by Revlon.

And finally, a great big thank you to my lovely cousin Jordyn at Pretty Lovely  for suggesting I finally do this!

10 Tips to Save Money on Heat This Winter

Well hello there, friends. Long time no see, eh? 

With winter practically upon us, you may have already spotted your electric bill creeping steadily upward. I know, I’m not happy about it either. So what’s a budget-conscious student to do? Fortunately, I’ve got some tips to keep you cozy this winter—with a little extra cash in your bank account.  

1. Close doors to rooms not in use. Typically, I only heat the room I’m using. If I’m watching TV in the living room for an extended period of time, the heater in the bedroom gets turned down and the door to it closed. 

2. Turn down the heat at night. Pile on the blankets and snuggle with your pet instead. 

3. Turn down the heat when you leave. Why heat your place when you’re not there? 

4. Consider the water heater. Think about getting an electric water heater insulation blanket if you have an older tank that’s not insulated. Installing an insulation blanket can cut your water tank’s heat loss by 25–40%.

5. Pile on the blankets. Electric blankets are especially nice this time of year, too, and use less energy than running the heater. You may also consider switching to fleece bed sheets to keep warmer at night.

6. Dress for the weather. This means sweaters, socks, and pants, not tank tops and shorts.

7. Close the blinds at night. This adds a little insulation and will keep the heat in. If you’re up for tackling a snowy-day project, consider purchasing some tinted window film. Not only does it offer privacy from prying neighbors, but it keeps the heat in during winter and the heat out during summer. 

8. Take advantage of (nearly) free heat. If you have a wood burning stove or a fireplace, well, use it!

9. Check your furniture. Make sure it isn’t blocking the heater and absorbing all the heat it’s putting out. 

10. Check your windows and doors for drafts. If you find you have one, put in a maintenance request or make yourself a handy little draft stopper.

 

What other things do you do to keep warm but within your budget during the winter?