Thinking Ahead at the Dollar store

Earlier this year I had an idea that served me well this holiday season, and so I figured I would share!

I'm pretty sure if you know me, or even have just read my blog, you know I'm a very frugal person.  More than just budgeting, which is definitely important, it's about 'the deal' for me. I love thrifting, consignment shopping, bargain bins, you name it.  It's definitely a "treasure hunting" philosophy that I've loved since as long as I can remember.

Anyway!  To this point, I do a Dollar Tree shopping trip once or twice a month.  My best buys: greeting cards, gift wrapping supplies, flower vases, Advil travel packs, tissues, toothpaste and brushes, pregnancy tests, hand soap, foil pans, and fun seasonal things for the girls (i.e. Valentines Day window clings, etc).  Usually I will let them pick out a treat or toy as well, if they behave. 

So back to my idea... Earlier this year I spotted a stack of these books in a random corner at our local Dollar Tree, and I bought them all!  I knew they would sit in a closet for months until I could give them as gifts, but it gave me a good kickstart into "thinking ahead" shopping.  

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You can find great overstocks and discontinued items if you spend the time to look.  And during my trips last year, I started to stockpile.  Here are a few items that I bought multiples.

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It was so fun making little goody bags for my girlfriends at Christmas, wrapping up a little surprise for EB's ballet teacher, without having to shop at all.  

It's the combination of finding great deals and taking the work out of what would typically be me running to the store for a $10 candle.   It's also nice to give a "just because surcee" whenever the idea strikes.  

For me, it definitely pays to think ahead!

xLaura