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01-27-2016, 03:03 PM
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#41
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: MSP
Posts: 304
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pb4uski
We do shop at the dollar store, but with care. Some items the quality is suspect... DW bought some dishwashing detergent and it doesn't suds well at all so we won't do that again.
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I hear you. I picked up two bottles of orange-colored "citrus" dish detergent from the dollar store, having been happy with similar products from other sources. And yep, mostly suds-less. But being too frugal to just pitch it, I use a standard sized squirt of the cheap stuff followed by a few drops of the high-rent brand from ALDI and all is well. I'll use up the cheap stuff this way and the good stuff will last darned near forever. Yes, I could probably combine the two to reduce hassle but I was never that good at chemistry and am already trying to live down one explosion...
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01-27-2016, 03:21 PM
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#42
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,770
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We've got a Dollar Tree near us. Many of the items can be bought else where for $1 or slightly cheaper so you have to watch. I go there for plastic ware for molds for decorative cement classes, glo sticks, balls for neighbors dog, Halloween decorations (I really like the plastic rat. I cut it in half and put one piece on each side of a cake or loaf of bread. Looks like the rat is eating it's way through. Kids and adults love it), mardi gras beads for throwing at parades, glass vases/candle holders for sand blasting. The dollar stores in our area don't sell produce like Rodi's.
Forgot to add the beach balls are great for making hollow cement spheres.
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01-27-2016, 03:32 PM
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#43
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Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Eastern WV Panhandle
Posts: 25,340
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Very rarely. Most stuff is low quality junk from China and when possible I try to avoid buying Chinese made stuff. I suppose someone in China makes high quality stuff but I haven't seen it yet.
__________________
When I was a kid I wanted to be older. This is not what I expected.
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01-27-2016, 03:49 PM
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#44
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 9,358
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NW-Bound
One thing that I want to make clear. There is a chain called "99 Cents Only Stores", in contrast to generic 99c stores that sell only cheap Chinese imports, gadgets, toys, and no food. This chain sells a lot of canned food, and snacks. Many of their canned food items are made in the USA, not Chinese imports.
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I shop about twice a month at the 99 Cents Only store. Our local ones have have many name brand items that Safeway carries only their regular prices are the "sale" prices at Safeway. Our local 99 Cents Only have great prices on produce and even some organic produce and other organic grocery items.
We shop mainly at Costco, 99 Cents Only store and Grocery Outlet and our grocery bill is now less than half of what it used to be for the same or probably even healthier food than when we shopped at Safeway or similar retail type chains. I wish we would have realized the price differences for the same food years ago. Grocery Outlet shows the corresponding retail price for items so last week I spent $128 and saved $149 off retail prices. We also supplement some items from Trader Joe's.
__________________
Even clouds seem bright and breezy, 'Cause the livin' is free and easy, See the rat race in a new way, Like you're wakin' up to a new day (Dr. Tarr and Professor Fether lyrics, Alan Parsons Project, based on an EA Poe story)
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01-27-2016, 06:33 PM
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#45
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,796
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I used to get 16 ounce bags of pretzels there, for $1.00. Now they have downsized the bag size to 12 ounces, for $1.00. Still way lower than grocery store ripoff price.
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01-27-2016, 09:20 PM
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#46
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Syracuse
Posts: 3,502
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I stop at the Dollar Tree if I'm driving buy and need Spic n Span.
Some good deals. Greeting Cards, Gift Bags and wrap, Kitchen and Glass cleaners, Snacks.
Some bad deals . Pens, Batteries, Plastic Wrap
__________________
“No, not rich. I am a poor man with money, which is not the same thing"
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01-27-2016, 09:52 PM
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#47
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,532
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Elbata
The $.99 store is different than most of the other dollar stores in that it sells a lot of fresh vegetables.
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I have never heard of the $.99 store. I just assumed they were talking about the dollar stores.
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01-28-2016, 03:46 AM
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#48
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Midwest
Posts: 1,795
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I go to Dollar Tree for reading glasses-$1 each. Also snacks (trail mix) for biking and smuggling into (senior day) movies. Scotch tape (double side) is a good value also.
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01-28-2016, 07:31 AM
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#49
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Cavalier
Posts: 2,317
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sunset
You are not missing much, mostly the opportunity to waste $10 on a bunch of meaningless junk.
Occasionally I will find an item that is as good as in a regular store, but cheaper. Mostly regular paint brushes, small foam roller refills, SD card readers (but how many does one need?).
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That 150 mile trip applies to Walmart and Arby's too. I make that trip about every 6 weeks to stock up at Walmart because I can save enough to pay for the trip. Arby's is just a side benefit, I love their sandwichs.
__________________
"Don't take life so serious, son. It ain't nohow permanent." Pogo Possum (Walt Kelly)
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01-28-2016, 07:39 AM
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#50
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 47,500
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nodak
That 150 mile trip applies to Walmart and Arby's too. I make that trip about every 6 weeks to stock up at Walmart because I can save enough to pay for the trip. Arby's is just a side benefit, I love their sandwichs.
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Wow! What a drive. At 55 mph, that would be almost 3 hours of driving. And then, there's the gas, not to mention wear & tear on the vehicle.
If it was me, I'd lean towards buying online and foregoing Arby's.
__________________
Already we are boldly launched upon the deep; but soon we shall be lost in its unshored, harbourless immensities. - - H. Melville, 1851.
Happily retired since 2009, at age 61. Best years of my life by far!
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01-28-2016, 01:45 PM
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#51
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Cavalier
Posts: 2,317
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Quote:
Originally Posted by W2R
Wow! What a drive. At 55 mph, that would be almost 3 hours of driving. And then, there's the gas, not to mention wear & tear on the vehicle.
If it was me, I'd lean towards buying online and foregoing Arby's.
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The 150 miles is a round trip and ND interstate speed limit is 75 so I make the trip in about 2.5 hours. I buy a few things online but it's just nice to get out of town now and then. I only put about 11,000 miles a year on my car; most of that is a couple of relatively long trips in the summer.
__________________
"Don't take life so serious, son. It ain't nohow permanent." Pogo Possum (Walt Kelly)
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01-28-2016, 05:26 PM
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#52
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 35,712
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Quote:
Originally Posted by daylatedollarshort
I shop about twice a month at the 99 Cents Only store. Our local ones have have many name brand items that Safeway carries only their regular prices are the "sale" prices at Safeway. Our local 99 Cents Only have great prices on produce and even some organic produce and other organic grocery items.
We shop mainly at Costco, 99 Cents Only store and Grocery Outlet and our grocery bill is now less than half of what it used to be for the same or probably even healthier food than when we shopped at Safeway or similar retail type chains. I wish we would have realized the price differences for the same food years ago. Grocery Outlet shows the corresponding retail price for items so last week I spent $128 and saved $149 off retail prices. We also supplement some items from Trader Joe's.
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We have Grocery Outlet stores here, but ran across several along the West Coast in our past RV treks. They do have excellent prices, and the reason for that is that they buy overstock or liquidated items that are close to expiration dates but are fine if you consume them right away. In some cases, the expiration date does not mean much, and you can go quite some time past the date. For example, I got a big container of Italian dry herb mix for a couple of dollars, and the truth is that I have at home some dry herb that are even older than that.
Anyway, back to 99 Cents Only Stores, we like to buy yogurt there. They offer overstock Dannon, Yoplait, or Chobani for 99c, no matter if that's a 2-pack, a 4-pack, or occasionally an 8-pack or even a 12-pack box! Of course those super deals are a bit rare, and their limited quantities do not last long, because shoppers are not stupid.
As we are lactose intolerant and cannot drink milk, we eat a serving of yogurt everyday to get calcium and I cannot remember the last time we bought yogurt in other stores.
__________________
"Old age is the most unexpected of all things that happen to a man" -- Leon Trotsky (1879-1940)
"Those Who Can Make You Believe Absurdities Can Make You Commit Atrocities" - Voltaire (1694-1778)
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01-29-2016, 12:16 AM
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#53
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 35,712
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NW-Bound
We have Grocery Outlet stores here, but ran across several along the West Coast in our past RV treks...
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Meant to write "We do not have Grocery Outlet stores...".
I am making mistakes like this more and more. Damn old age!
__________________
"Old age is the most unexpected of all things that happen to a man" -- Leon Trotsky (1879-1940)
"Those Who Can Make You Believe Absurdities Can Make You Commit Atrocities" - Voltaire (1694-1778)
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01-29-2016, 05:24 AM
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#54
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 8,409
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When I was working we apparently were the only fools buying everything at full price.
What a surprise to learn that for 25+ years we'd been getting ripped off soooo badly.
I never knew that you could get a decent sweater or jeans at Costco/BJs for $19, a nice set of pliers or wire strippers at the Dollar Store for $3 or a decent set of sunglasses for $5 at the Job Lot store.
We're not too keen on "buying junk for low cost's sake" but just some mild shopping around--nothing too aggressive-- has put about $2-3K per year right to the bottom line!
__________________
Living well is the best revenge!
Retired @ 52 in 2005
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01-29-2016, 06:21 AM
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#55
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Texas: No Country for Old Men
Posts: 50,021
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Quote:
Originally Posted by marko
When I was working we apparently were the only fools buying everything at full price.
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Don't feel too bad. I had a good friend (now deceased) who didn't learn until his late 40's that you didn't have to pay sticker price for a new car...
__________________
Numbers is hard
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01-29-2016, 08:43 AM
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#56
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 268
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I go to the dollar store every few months. Typically we get gift bags, office supplies, craft stuff, a few dog toys, and sometimes holiday decorations. My DD thinks it's the best store ever since her $3/week allowance gets her 3 things.
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01-29-2016, 11:43 AM
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#57
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 9,358
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Besides selective groceries at the 99 Cents Only stores, the items I buy from the dollar type stores are glow sticks, decorations, greeting cards, hangers, Halloween candy, gift bags and decorative rocks. I got rid of all the wrapping paper in our house this year and now just keep a stack of assorted, resuseable, all occasion gift bags in varying sizes. For last minute gift needs that always come up throughout the year I keep a stock of wine from Grocery Outlet and pretty wine bags from the dollar stores.
I bought some hankies at one dollar type store and they were so chintzy they were less robust than gauze, so some of the stuff is not worth the price. But for items like gift bags they seem to be the same quality as the retail stores.
DH was concerned this year because I waited to buy candy until Halloween day, but my procrastination paid off. By waiting the candy was marked down to half price to 50 cents a bag at one of the dollar stores. I used to spend $40 on Halloween candy at the local grocery store, but this year we had extra candy and several boxes of back up cookie packs we ate or gave away to friends for under $10 total.
__________________
Even clouds seem bright and breezy, 'Cause the livin' is free and easy, See the rat race in a new way, Like you're wakin' up to a new day (Dr. Tarr and Professor Fether lyrics, Alan Parsons Project, based on an EA Poe story)
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01-29-2016, 12:36 PM
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#58
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 35,712
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Quote:
Originally Posted by daylatedollarshort
... For last minute gift needs that always come up throughout the year I keep a stock of wine from Grocery Outlet and pretty wine bags from the dollar stores...
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As my wife does not drink I am in charge of getting my own wine, and I have to say that I did not see good prices on wine at the Grocery Outlets I visited in our RV trips. Perhaps it is better than prices at chain grocery stores, but I get better deals at Bevmo and Total Wine.
__________________
"Old age is the most unexpected of all things that happen to a man" -- Leon Trotsky (1879-1940)
"Those Who Can Make You Believe Absurdities Can Make You Commit Atrocities" - Voltaire (1694-1778)
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01-29-2016, 01:30 PM
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#59
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 9,358
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NW-Bound
As my wife does not drink I am in charge of getting my own wine, and I have to say that I did not see good prices on wine at the Grocery Outlets I visited in our RV trips. Perhaps it is better than prices at chain grocery stores, but I get better deals at Bevmo and Total Wine.
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I will check out Bevmo and compare. We don't have a Total Wine close by.
__________________
Even clouds seem bright and breezy, 'Cause the livin' is free and easy, See the rat race in a new way, Like you're wakin' up to a new day (Dr. Tarr and Professor Fether lyrics, Alan Parsons Project, based on an EA Poe story)
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01-29-2016, 01:39 PM
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#60
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Albuquerque
Posts: 842
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It's good to know that Dollar Tree is considered the best of these stores (we don't have the .99 cent store in my area) as that is the only one I have been to recently so will not bother to check out the others. I didn't care for the Dollar Tree because most of the cosmetics, food items, and office supplies were generic brands and I am picky. But the greeting cards, gift wrapping items, etc. looked like a deal although I buy very little of that stuff. Also the Valentine's Day items were on display and there were parents there buying stuff for their kid's entire class so probably a good deal. I do shop at Costco and Sunflower Market and plan to do more comparison shopping once I retire and have the time.
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