Monday, January 28, 2008

The Wonders Of The Dollar Store

**We had a super recipe swap over the weekend. Thanks for all who participated. I got some new recipes to add to my files and I’m hoping to do this again sometime. Let me know if you want to make it a regular thing.

The local dollar store to me is usually the place I take my kids so they can spend their hard earned money on cheap breakable toys or bargain bags of candy. But when I recently had a chocolate attack and ran to the dollar store I found myself enjoying the get away so much that I wandered every isle of the store. And I found hundreds of things that I had been missing all this time that would help my grocery hunt. I found four packs of 2 ply toilet paper, pasta, canned veggies (2 for a $1) spices, crackers, and tons of other stuff that I could have been buying there at much lower prices. I did notice that there were some items that I could get cheaper at my other routine haunts but the dollar store could definitely help my budget stretch even tighter. I’d encourage you to check it out.



1 gallon milk 2.98
2 boxes margarine sticks 1.10
2.78 lbs of apples 2.72
.38 lbs pecans 2.46
Soymilk 2.28
3.72 lbs bananas 1.64
Powdered milk 5.30
10 lb flour 3.33
5 dozen lg eggs 9.12 (1.82 dozen)
3 loaves bread 2.67
Dozen bagels 1.50
8 rolls TP 2.00
Cinnamon 1.00
Saltines 1.00
2 bags tater tots 1.98
Bacon 1.99
2 boxes hamburger helper 2.78
Tub of butter 1.99
2 lbs cheddar 2.99
Half and half .99
2 packs of hot dogs 1.38
2 cans salmon 3.58

Total $56.78

Breakfasts :

Amish Baked Oatmeal (this has now become a family favorite)
Starbucks Maple Nut Scones and chocolate banana smoothies
Pancakes
Baked French Toast
Oatmeal Buffet
Eggs and Toast
Cinnamon Toast and Fruit

Dinners:

Split Pea & Barley Soup with Rolls
Chicken Pot Pie
Salmon Loaf with Veggies (thanks EEEEmommy)
Ranch Potatoes
Spaghetti, garlic bread, veggies
Leftovers
Hot Dogs and Tater Tots

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

It looks like things are continuing to go well in your budgeting! I'm curious just what you guys do for snacks? My kids ask, well, most of the time and Ian and I like to munch in the evenings. (Bad habits I know) Do you guys just have great self control or what do you do????

~Laura
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/duckygirl

MyKidsMom said...

I found your link over at Conservachicks- great blog! I am going to add you to my blogroll.

carrie said...

If you're talking about Dollar General, I have to say YES! It was there I finally found the toilet paper that my OCD husband (that uses SO much toilet paper) could make last longer than a couple days. I'm not even kidding. Every other TP that I've tried--he goes through so fast I was spending all my money on TP!!

But the dollar brand is really thin, yet a lot on there and one roll will last at least 2-3 days (if he's at work). It's a miracle...

Anonymous said...

Hi Gayle,

I came across this blog the other day, but i didn't realize it was yours! What a great idea this is. Right now my grocery dollars are stretched SO thin, so I will be looking here for tips. Thanks!

EEEEMommy said...

ok so now I'm nervous that you'll hate the Salmon Loaf. I hope you like it! :)

Amanda said...

I loved the recipe swap, and am hoping it will be something that continues.

As for the Dollar Store, we stretch our budget at Dollar General, at Dollar Tree, and the 99 Cents Only Store. Also, Big Lots and another local close-out store helps keeps our costs down. I think I should post more on my blog, or I'll end up completely hijacking your comments.

Unknown said...

Yes to the recipe swap! It helped me to stick to my menu plan, AND gave me ideas & recipes for future weeks!

Anonymous said...

Hey - don't forget to check out the $1 store scrapbook supplies - I have gotten some fabulous paper and alphabet stickers as well as other things too this way! Oh and also check out the kids book section - I have found some great Christian children's books there! Who woulda thunk it?
Our favorite $1 store is Honk's - although it has recently raised it's prices to $1.05 - must be inflation! ( :