For this micro-post I am encouraging you to embrace your friendly neighbourhood dollar store!
Not literally. Don't go out and start hugging buildings and strangers because I told you so. We're talking figuratively here, okay?
Back on track: Don't be afraid to get a few things from the dollar store. Yes, quality may at times be an issue. But honestly, oftentimes it's not! The dollar store has tons of quality items and items that are of enough quality to be used safely and economically. If one third of my home is made up of IKEA products, one third of DIY makeovers and hand-me-downs, then the majority of the last one third is definitely made up of dollar store finds.
Not literally. Don't go out and start hugging buildings and strangers because I told you so. We're talking figuratively here, okay?
Back on track: Don't be afraid to get a few things from the dollar store. Yes, quality may at times be an issue. But honestly, oftentimes it's not! The dollar store has tons of quality items and items that are of enough quality to be used safely and economically. If one third of my home is made up of IKEA products, one third of DIY makeovers and hand-me-downs, then the majority of the last one third is definitely made up of dollar store finds.
Dollarama is my go-to dollar store, but I often find unique things at smaller dollar store chains when I stop inside.
There are endless lists of goodies that you can get at dollar stores, but there are some of my suggestions:
There are endless lists of goodies that you can get at dollar stores, but there are some of my suggestions:
- Stationary
- Basic hardware tools
- Simple pet toys (I avoid plastics just in case)
- Acrylic paints
- Craft paintbrushes
- Minor craft supplies
- Organization items
- Random decorative items
- Frames
- Cleaners & cleaning tools
- Vases
- Lightbulbs (if it is for something like an infrequently used lamp -- don't go replacing pot lights)
- Power bars/extensions
- Basic kitchen items (think wooden spoons and small gadgets -- not pots or pans or 'silverware').
I also often buy their ceramic plates and mugs and bowls, both for crafts and for actual eating off of.
Always give anything that will be used with food (yours or your pets -- don't be that stingy) a good thorough hand-washing with warm water and soap before use.
In my humble opinion, however, perhaps you should avoid some of the food products. Snacks and cookies are fine, but there have been some reported issues in the past of recalled food items never being taken off of the shelves of dollar stores. Add that to the potential for poor manufacturing (to help reduce costs and allow them to be in dollar stores), and you may not be 100% sure of the ingredients involved.
That being said (are you getting the underlying theme of go-with-what-you--think-is-best?), there are some trusted brands available in dollar stores at discounted prices that I have looked into, read the labels of, and feel safe with. I also know many people who regularly obtain food items at dollar stores and they are neither glowing, disfigured, randomly growing additional limbs, or dead. Hoorah!
What have you bought at the dollar store? Is there anything that you avoid and why do you avoid it?
Always give anything that will be used with food (yours or your pets -- don't be that stingy) a good thorough hand-washing with warm water and soap before use.
In my humble opinion, however, perhaps you should avoid some of the food products. Snacks and cookies are fine, but there have been some reported issues in the past of recalled food items never being taken off of the shelves of dollar stores. Add that to the potential for poor manufacturing (to help reduce costs and allow them to be in dollar stores), and you may not be 100% sure of the ingredients involved.
That being said (are you getting the underlying theme of go-with-what-you--think-is-best?), there are some trusted brands available in dollar stores at discounted prices that I have looked into, read the labels of, and feel safe with. I also know many people who regularly obtain food items at dollar stores and they are neither glowing, disfigured, randomly growing additional limbs, or dead. Hoorah!
What have you bought at the dollar store? Is there anything that you avoid and why do you avoid it?