For The Love Of A Bargain

Before I begin this entry, I have to admit to two of my biggest reasons that I hesitate to start a blog. I can't break myself of those darn runonsentences. You know the ones that you are like reading and wondering when is she gonna stop. That's me. I have a runonstyle. Sorry. Also. I have no recollection of the ins and outs of punctuation, beyond the bare minimum. Hang in there with me. I may have some good things to say. If ya have some simple advice that my little mind may remember, do share! I need help. "hello, my name is Kim and punctuation confuses me. Okay. Ready. Here we go!~

Those who know me, know I love to shop.  That does not mean I like to spend money.  I like to shop for bargains and I love, love, love it when I can get something less expensive than I know other people are probably paying for the same thing. 

 It is a good thing that I love to browse because it can definitely take time to know just what’s a bargain and what isn’t.  Also, you never know when you will get lucky with a once in a blue moon find.  Ya gotta get out there and look folks!  This is especially true for thrifting, but I’ll save that for another post.
Today I want to share with you some of my guidelines and some of my go to buys at one of my favorite “hot spots”.
First of all, if it doesn’t have a cart, it’s not for me.  I like my cart, buggy, whatever you call it..  It’s a comfort thing.  So that rules out the mall for the most part.  Now I know some of you will say, but my receipt says I spent $25 and saved $100.  Sometimes that is the case, other times, the original price is soooo jacked up, you didn’t save anything.  I say to you, give me a Kmart receipt that shows 40% off of the clearance price and you’ve got my seal of approval.  (and let's face it, you want my approval because I am so cheap I squeak and shouldn’t everyone all look for validation from an overweight lady facing menopause full on)  
But I digress...  
My favorite go to, budget loving, I can’t believe this receipt is...  Drum roll please...  The Dollar Tree!

From now on, I will refer to The Dollar Tree as TDT, just cuz I don't want to get writer's cramp.

 I can get giddy, honest to goodness giddy when I look at all they have to offer.  I am aware, because I shop all the time, that everything isn’t a deal just because it’s, for me, ONE DOLLAR!  HA HA!  Get it?  Okay, moving on. Did you hear the latest? You didn't? OMGosh! They will be accepting manufacturers coupons soon. On August 26th, to be exact. How can this be possible?? I don't know, but I'm a happy girl!

Here’s some of the items that I will not buy elsewhere unless I absolutely must.  

BANG.  No, I’m not taking a page from Emeril and spinning it from BAM to BANG.  That’s the product name and it cleans bathrooms like nobody’s business.  I dare you to show me a bathroom that this amazing product can’t make sparkle.  Spray it on, check your email, return and wipe all the nastiness off off your shower and tub.  If you need to, and I have needed to, repeat.  It will get it done.  The fumes are not nearly as harsh as other products, but I still open up and run the fan.

THE SCRUB IT QUICK ERASER.  These are heaven sent, I swear to you!  They are similar to the very popular magic eraser by that wonderful Mr. Clean company..  However, you get 2 for $1!  One side is white magic stuff and the other is just a blue spongy thing.  It is perfect for showers, doggy cement, I mean dried nose prints on windows, and glass-top stoves.  Trust me.  Give them a try and see if you can ever pay for another brand.

LA’S TOTALLY AWESOME ALL PURPOSE CLEANER.  Use it full strength or dilute it.  It is TOTALLY AWESOME!  I use it diluted for my linoleum floors and general spot cleaning.  Undiluted, I use it as a pretreater for clothes and carpet spots.  I didn’t even do the test spot first because I am a rebel like that, but I highly recommend you do that test spot in an inconspicuous area,as it will suggest on the label..  

LA’S TOTALLY AWESOME OXYGEN CLEANER.  It is the same thing as the fancy-pants stores will try to sell ya, but at a fraction of the price!  I use it in my homemade laundry detergent and love it!  

NATURAL WHITE SENSITIVE TOOTHPASTE.  My son has sensitive teeth and that can be very painful for him so we followed the dentist’s advice and bought the name brand product for that issue and it worked very well, but it was so expensive.  I hesitated when I found this at TDT, but took a chance and bought it.  I compared the active ingredients and they are exactly the same!

HOME PREGNANCY TESTS.  This is the same urine test that your doctor will use.  I swear this is true.  If you need to take two or three tests, as I did, to be sure~I even had dear hubs take one just to be sure my results were right..  Shhhh!!!  Don’t tell him I told you~ you can afford to with these.  Why spend $20?  You’re gonna need that twenty bucks if the test is positive!  Bahahaha!!

SOFT WHISPERS BODY WASH.  My fave is the cucumber and green tea scent.  The bottle says to compare it to Dove’s brand.  I don’t know about that.  I think it may be thinner, but it lathers up fantastic, rinses clean, smells lovely and lasts a long time.    

After some quick math, I can say that if you try these products and like them, you will have saved at least $25.  Not bad, huh? My best advice is to read your labels.. Are the active ingredients the same? Is it worth risking a buck to find a new product that can save you lots more over the course of a few years?

Well, now that I got all that off of my chest, I feel better!  How about you?  Those 5 minutes that it took to read this post are 5 minutes you will never get back.  I really hope I didn’t waste your time!  If I did... don’t tell me.  I’m feeling vulnerable...  JK.  Let me know what you think and if you find any treasures that shouldn’t be missed at TDT, same me some!