Being an upperclassman in High School comes with some assumptions– you’re stressed, you aren’t getting enough sleep… and you’re probably broke. We try to make do with what we have; shopping at Walmart is a weekly event, and stores like T.J. Maxx and Marshall’s save us from overpriced retail stores. However, there are stores that may lead to even greater savings. Enter: The Dollar Store.
A self-proclaimed “Dollar Store Aficionado”, I know a thing or two about sifting through the ever-changing stock found in Dollar Tree stores in the Naugatuck Valley area (my personal favorite–Naugatuck Dollar Tree). These stores carry so many items, ranging from prepackaged snacks to kids’ toys; there truly is a deal for everyone.
Before going to see the newest Pirates of the Caribbean movie, reconsider where you buy your candy. At movie theaters, a single box of candy typically ranges from $3.50 to $6.00. At the Dollar Tree, the same box of candy costs, you guessed it, one dollar (plus tax). I’m no math genius, but anyone can see this price difference means that buying four boxes of candy at the Dollar Store costs about the same as one box of candy at the Movie Theater.
It can be difficult to decorate personal spaces with themes based on the holidays that bombard us during the winter. Thankfully, the Dollar Tree carries a large stock of decorations that are specific to most major holidays– religious or not. Recently, I was able to decorate Hawk Headlines’ office with balloons, sparkly streamers, and large glitter hearts to get everyone in the spirit of Valentine’s Day. All of these decorations cost me under $6.00 total, while at Walmart, these decorations would cost upwards of $10.00.
Another major benefit to the Dollar Tree’s party section is the low cost of a birthday party. Below, I have listed a few birthday party necessities, and what it would cost to buy them at the Dollar Tree versus at Walmart.
Unfortunately, in this day and age, Hallmark and other name-brand cards can cost anywhere between $1.00 and $6.00. With all of the birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays that pass in a year, these pricey formalities can really add up. The Dollar Tree has in stock an abundance of cards to celebrate any occasion, including packs of thank-you notes. Because there are seven Dollar Trees within ten miles of Woodland, you’ll never have to worry about forgetting a card on the trip to a friend’s soiree.
While a trip to a professional makeup retail store can easily cost hundreds of dollars, even drugstore makeup may take a significant portion out of your paycheck. The Dollar Store carries off-brand makeup that may not have better formulas than MAC, but you can increase your array of colors for a much cheaper price. They also carry e.l.f., a popular brand known for being cheap, but still maintaining a good formula. Dollar store makeup often receives a bad rap that it really doesn’t deserve.
“Dollar stores” are often viewed as havens for junk to collect. In a world where “Everything’s a Dollar!”, it’s difficult to delineate between what’s trash and what’s treasure. When you take the time to really navigate through the aisles, you may find a really great deal.
