DailyFinance.comhttp://www.dailyfinance.comDailyFinance.comhttp://o.aolcdn.com/os/df/2013/img/2-dailyfinance_logo_m.pngDailyFinance.comhttp://www.dailyfinance.comen-usCopyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Prepare for Emergency (and Save) with Dollar Store Supplieshttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/25/prepare-for-emergency-and-save-with-dollar-store-supplies/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/25/prepare-for-emergency-and-save-with-dollar-store-supplies/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/25/prepare-for-emergency-and-save-with-dollar-store-supplies/#commentsFiled under: , ,

preparing for an emergency - emergency preparationWith the recent earthquakes and tsunami in Japan, there's a renewed interest in being prepared for disaster. Even a power outage of a day or two can wreak havoc, especially in colder climes, so it pays to be prepared for an emergency. Stocking up on the following essentials now will mean you and your family won't be caught off guard should the worst happen.

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]]>disaster preparednessdollar storeearthquake preparednessemergency dollar store suppliesemergency suppliesFEMAsaving moneyshoppingMarlene AlexanderFri, 25 Mar 2011 16:30:00 ESTNew Innovations at Dollar Tree Direct -- Closeouts and Brideshttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/22/new-innovations-at-dollar-tree-direct-closeouts-and-brides/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/22/new-innovations-at-dollar-tree-direct-closeouts-and-brides/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/22/new-innovations-at-dollar-tree-direct-closeouts-and-brides/#commentsFiled under: , ,

new innovations at Dollar TreeDollar Tree's website is already one of the best I've seen for a dollar store. Seasonal items displayed on the home page are changed weekly, you can see in-store specials, as well as read the online flier for what's new in the stores. You can rate products you've tried, see an in-store item of the week, often a great deal on a brand name and, as of last year, there's a small business center that lets a business owner browse exactly what they need for their particular business without searching through the whole website.

Now there are two new innovations at Dollar Tree Direct.

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]]>bridaldollar store bridaldollar store divadollar store websiteDollar storesDollar Tree storesaving moneyMarlene AlexanderTue, 22 Mar 2011 17:30:00 ESTMake Cents? Walmart to Mirror Dollar Store Modelhttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/17/make-cents-walmart-to-mirror-dollar-store-model/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/17/make-cents-walmart-to-mirror-dollar-store-model/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/17/make-cents-walmart-to-mirror-dollar-store-model/#commentsFiled under: ,

Dollar stores like Family Dollar and 99-cent Only Stores have become so profitable that they're being offered billion dollar buyouts. These stores, along with Dollar Tree and Dollar General, have consistently out-performed many other stores, including retail Goliath, Walmart, whose profits have been declining for the past seven quarters in a row.

It's no wonder then that Walmart is making a bid to win back customers complaining of long lines and poor service by mirroring the dollar store model.

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]]>Dollar GeneralDollar storesretailsaving moneyshoppingWalmartWalmart vs. dollar storeMarlene AlexanderThu, 17 Mar 2011 16:00:00 ESTMake Sure Your Dollar Store Purchase Is Safehttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/10/make-sure-your-dollar-store-purchase-is-safe/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/10/make-sure-your-dollar-store-purchase-is-safe/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/10/make-sure-your-dollar-store-purchase-is-safe/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

how to buy safe products at the dollar storeThere are some wonderful deals to be had at a dollar store but a certain amount of caution is warranted in order to protect yourself and your family from products that may be potentially harmful. Here's what you need to know to make sure your dollar store purchase is safe.

Electrical Products

Before you buy that dollar store extension cord or package of light bulbs, check to see if it has a certification mark from the Underwriters Laboratories (UL).

A UL certification mark on a product means that it has been independently tested and meets applicable standards for safety and/or performance.

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]]>dollar storeselectronicsfake vitaminslead in jewelrylead in toyssafe dollar store productsMarlene AlexanderThu, 10 Feb 2011 09:00:00 ESTWalmart Forced To Compete With Dollar Stores For Customershttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/01/28/walmart-forced-to-compete-with-dollar-stores-for-customers/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/01/28/walmart-forced-to-compete-with-dollar-stores-for-customers/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/01/28/walmart-forced-to-compete-with-dollar-stores-for-customers/#commentsFiled under: , ,

people shop at walmart - walmart dollar storeIn May last year, I asked the musical question, "Can dollar stores survive an economic recovery?" The collective answer seems to be a resounding "Yes!" Not only are dollar stores surviving, they're thriving and, according to an article in the New York Post, that's forcing Walmart to compete with them for the lower-income shoppers that deserted them when the recession hit.

Several sources close to Walmart report that the company has begun vigorously demanding that suppliers provide the cheapest items in any given product category. That means pressing big partners like Procter & Gamble and Kraft Foods to produce smaller, more affordable packages for everything from diapers to laundry soap.

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]]>discount shoppingDiscountShoppingdollar storeDollarStorelow-incomeshopping mallShoppingMallWalmartMarlene AlexanderFri, 28 Jan 2011 16:00:00 ESTConnect With the Kids Playing Games From the Dollar Storehttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/01/18/connect-with-the-kids-playing-games-from-the-dollar-store/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/01/18/connect-with-the-kids-playing-games-from-the-dollar-store/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/01/18/connect-with-the-kids-playing-games-from-the-dollar-store/#commentsFiled under: , ,

games from the dollar storeIf you'd like to lure your kids away from video games, iPods and TV for a while, you could try introducing them to some of the old card and board games. There's a reason these oldies but goodies are still around.

Your youngsters may have trouble with the idea of playing something as tame as a board game when they've got a multitude of electronic gizmos to fill their free time but these games are great ways to stay connected as a family and/or nurture the spirit of friendly competition and fair play. The slower pace also allows for real conversation.

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]]>board gamesdollar storegames for kidskids games at the dollar storeplaying cardsMarlene AlexanderTue, 18 Jan 2011 17:00:00 ESTDollar General vs. Walmart--Price Comparisons on 10 Standard Grocery Itemshttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/01/07/dollar-general-vs-walmart-price-comparisons-on-10-standard-gr/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/01/07/dollar-general-vs-walmart-price-comparisons-on-10-standard-gr/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/01/07/dollar-general-vs-walmart-price-comparisons-on-10-standard-gr/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

man takes cash out of wallet - dollar general vs. walmartDollar General is planning on opening 625 new stores this year. Added to the 9,200 stores currently in operation, we wonder if Walmart should be looking over its shoulder. The following Dollar General vs. Walmart price comparisons are taken from Walmart's online shopping website and random Dollar General stores.

We picked 10 grocery items that a family might buy on a regular basis and compared them to regular store prices. Please note that prices will vary from region to region, based on market need and a particular store's overhead costs.

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]]>Dollar Generaldollar store vs. walmartfamily moneyprice comparisonssaving moneyshoppingWalmartMarlene AlexanderFri, 07 Jan 2011 15:30:00 ESTFun Stocking Stuffers For Everyone At The Dollar Storehttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/12/20/fun-stocking-stuffers-for-everyone-at-the-dollar-store/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/12/20/fun-stocking-stuffers-for-everyone-at-the-dollar-store/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/12/20/fun-stocking-stuffers-for-everyone-at-the-dollar-store/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Stocking stuffers for everyone at the dollar store
The last minute scramble is on. Maybe you have one last gift to get or the rest of the Christmas groceries to buy. And then, of course, there are the stockings to stuff. If you're like me, you tend to pick up the odd thing here and there while you're shopping for the bigger gifts, but now it's time to finish the job. There are lots of fun stocking stuffers for everyone at the dollar store. Here's a sampling.

Candy -- It doesn't matter how old you are, candy is still dandy. Large peppermint sticks, small packs of Hersey's kisses or marshmallow snowmen, a tin gingerbread house filled with candy that's also a coin bank, Kinder eggs; there are lots of fun eats for kids and adults alike at the dollar store. And don't forget to add a package of their favorite gum.

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]]>Christmaschristmas shoppingdollar storestocking stuffers from the dollar storeMarlene AlexanderMon, 20 Dec 2010 16:00:00 ESTEntertaining in Style With Help From the Dollar Storehttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/12/13/entertaining-in-style-with-help-from-the-dollar-store/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/12/13/entertaining-in-style-with-help-from-the-dollar-store/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/12/13/entertaining-in-style-with-help-from-the-dollar-store/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Entertain with help from the dollar storeChristmas is a wonderful, joyful excuse for getting together with family and friends. If you're hosting the family turkey feed this year or maybe a small cocktail party, you can find many of the things you'll need to entertain in style with help from the dollar store.

Food

There is so much to do at this time of year, you simply have to prioritize. Why stress about the amount of baking you're doing, (or not doing), when you can get a 7oz. box of shortbread cookies or a 4.25oz. tin of Pirouline rolled wafers for just a buck each?

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]]>christmas entertainingchristmas foodChristmas food budgetdollar store entertainingsaving moneyMarlene AlexanderMon, 13 Dec 2010 12:00:00 ESTChristmas Decor From the Dollar Store Lets You Make Merry for Lesshttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/12/08/christmas-decor-from-the-dollar-store-lets-you-make-merry-for-le/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/12/08/christmas-decor-from-the-dollar-store-lets-you-make-merry-for-le/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/12/08/christmas-decor-from-the-dollar-store-lets-you-make-merry-for-le/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Christmas decor'Tis the season of over-spending. Light-up reindeer on the lawn and giant trees adorned in the latest Christmas ornaments aren't necessary to a happy holiday. The fact is, you don't need a sleigh-load of cash to decorate your home this Christmas. There's a lot to be said for understated holiday decorating but, even if you do like to go a little overboard in the spirit of good cheer, Christmas frills from the dollar store let you make merry for much less than if you were to buy all of your decorations from Walmart or Sears.





Marlene Alexander is a freelance writer and dollar store diva. Her new e-book will show you how to decorate, entertain and give beautiful gifts using only items from the dollar store.I like to fill my crackers with some chocolate, a Christmas riddle or quote and either a small toy for the kids or something useful like ear buds or a mini flashlight for the older kids and adults.There are jokes and hats provided but they are the same four jokes in each package of cracker kits and the so-called hats are only one-sided cutouts. Still, these four piece kits are worth the $1.25 price tag, considering that I paid over a buck for a package of 12 snappers alone. I was never big on the hat thing, anyway. Does anybody really like wearing those paper hats?

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]]>ChristmasMarlene AlexanderWed, 08 Dec 2010 12:00:00 ESTDollar Tree Invites You to Show You Carehttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/11/13/dollar-tree-invites-you-to-show-you-care/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/11/13/dollar-tree-invites-you-to-show-you-care/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/11/13/dollar-tree-invites-you-to-show-you-care/#commentsFiled under: , ,

care packages possible from the dollar storeThere are a lot of ways to help others this Christmas season without spending a lot of money. Maybe you know a family struggling to make ends meet -- never mind buy the kids toys. Maybe your organization is sending relief to people cleaning up after a natural disaster. Or maybe you know of a military man or women serving overseas this Christmas.

These are all opportunities to build care packages and Dollar Tree offers suggestions for what to include in each package.

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]]>care packagesChristmasdollar storedollar store care packagesdollar store giftsdollar store holiday shoppingshoppingMarlene AlexanderSat, 13 Nov 2010 10:00:00 ESTJoin the toy platoon and help Dollar Tree provide kids with giftshttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/11/09/join-the-toy-platoon-and-help-dollar-tree-provide-kids-with-gift/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/11/09/join-the-toy-platoon-and-help-dollar-tree-provide-kids-with-gift/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/11/09/join-the-toy-platoon-and-help-dollar-tree-provide-kids-with-gift/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Once again Dollar Tree is teaming up with Operation Homefront to ensure that the children of military families will have a Merry Christmas. And they want you to join the toy platoon and help them provide kids with gifts.

This is the fourth season that Dollar Tree has participated in the toy drive, which is on now through December 6. Last year, customers donated an estimated $5.6 million in toys nationwide. The goal this year is $6 million.

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]]>ChristmasChristmas toy drivesDollar Storessaving moneyToy Platoontoys for military kidsMarlene AlexanderTue, 09 Nov 2010 08:30:00 ESTGreat gifts for kids at the dollar storehttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/11/08/great-gifts-for-kids-at-the-dollar-store/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/11/08/great-gifts-for-kids-at-the-dollar-store/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/11/08/great-gifts-for-kids-at-the-dollar-store/#commentsFiled under: ,


Most kids have a holiday wish list that includes toys they've seen on TV or in the movies, and chances are a lot of your holiday shopping budget will go to gratifying those dreams.

You may want to supplement one or two larger purchases with a few extra things that your child will also enjoy and, if your kids also like exchanging gifts with friends at Christmas time, costs can add up quickly. You can score some great gifts for kids at the dollar store.

Dollar General has toys for five dollars that include a 14-inch plush caterpillar, a plush lion with sound, Hot Wheels Rumble Road, Batman assorted character figures, hand-held video games and Disney Princess art sets, to name a few.

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]]>Christmasdollar storedollar store Christmasdollar store giftsdollar store shoppingDollar StoresMarlene AlexanderMon, 08 Nov 2010 14:00:00 ESTGreat gifts for him at the dollar storehttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/11/06/great-gifts-for-him-at-the-dollar-store/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/11/06/great-gifts-for-him-at-the-dollar-store/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/11/06/great-gifts-for-him-at-the-dollar-store/#commentsFiled under: ,


Men are notoriously hard to buy for and the reasons are simple. Guys dig high-end stuff like electronics and when they see something they want, they're just as likely to buy it themselves, rather than think to leave loved ones a gift idea. But don't despair, there are some great gift ideas for men at the dollar store and they won't cost you a month's pay.

I saw a selection of Ivy & Castle men's body wash, soap on a rope, aftershave and shampoo in the dollar store, all of them full-sized bottles. Pick two, three or all four of these to make a great-looking gift for a man in your life.

For the photography buff, put together a kit including a table top tripod, a lens cleaning cloth, a couple of blank recordable CDs and a nice metal, wood or leather-look frame.

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]]>dollar store christmasdollar store giftsGifts for mensaving moneyshoppingMarlene AlexanderSat, 06 Nov 2010 10:00:00 ESTBlack Friday: Great gifts for her, for a dollarhttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/11/01/black-friday-great-gifts-for-her-for-a-dollar/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/11/01/black-friday-great-gifts-for-her-for-a-dollar/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/11/01/black-friday-great-gifts-for-her-for-a-dollar/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Dollar stores are good for a lot more than personal and household items. As we head toward Black Friday and holiday shopping, WalletPop's Dollar Store Diva, Marlene Alexander, offers her best gift picks for less.

Dollar stores are treasure trove of gifts for women, letting you give more and spend less. Customize each gift to the person it's intended for and spend as little as three bucks to give an elegant gift that's pretty, practical or yummy.

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]]>Marlene AlexanderMon, 01 Nov 2010 14:55:00 ESTBuild beautiful Christmas gifts with stuff from the dollar storehttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/10/21/build-beautiful-christmas-gifts-with-stuff-from-the-dollar-store/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/10/21/build-beautiful-christmas-gifts-with-stuff-from-the-dollar-store/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/10/21/build-beautiful-christmas-gifts-with-stuff-from-the-dollar-store/#commentsFiled under: ,

christmas decorations from the dollar storeSure, you can go into Wal-mart or Sears and buy presents for your friends and family, but take a closer look at what's in those gift baskets. Mugs, beverages and snacks? Candle holders and candles? Bath products? The dollar store has all of those things and many more potential gift ideas. All you have to do is put them together for presents that will look great but cost half the price of their department store counterparts. They will also be totally unique.

Here's how to build beautiful Christmas gifts with stuff from the dollar store.

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]]>Christmas gifts from dollar storedollar store ChristmasDollar Store Divagift basketsMarlene AlexanderThu, 21 Oct 2010 16:00:00 ESTCreate a Halloween costume for less with dollar store findshttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/10/05/create-a-halloween-costume-for-less-with-dollar-store-finds/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/10/05/create-a-halloween-costume-for-less-with-dollar-store-finds/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/10/05/create-a-halloween-costume-for-less-with-dollar-store-finds/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Marlene with a cowboy hat onADI News.com reports that, according to a new survey by the National Retail Federation, American consumers are set to spend a lot more money on Halloween this year than last year. The majority of the spending is expected to be on costumes, at a cost of $23.37 each.

That's probably the price of an adult costume but, at any rate, it's a lot of moola to be spending on something that will only be worn once and probably never again. If you've got the extra cash, why not? If you don't, here are some inexpensive and fun ideas from the dollar stores, focusing mostly on kid stuff.

For adults, often all you need is a hat and one or two accessories, like a cowboy hat and a kerchief, to play dress-up once a year.

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]]>cheap costumes for halloweendollar storedress up dollar storehalloween costumeshalloween costumes from dollar storesMarlene AlexanderTue, 05 Oct 2010 17:00:00 ESTHow to shop for groceries at the dollar storehttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/09/08/how-to-shop-for-groceries-at-the-dollar-store/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/09/08/how-to-shop-for-groceries-at-the-dollar-store/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/09/08/how-to-shop-for-groceries-at-the-dollar-store/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

99-cent Only Stores has always focused on providing its customers with fresh produce, deli, and other basic grocery items. Lately more independent dollar stores are adding food and medicinal items to their inventory in an attempt to draw cash-strapped shoppers into their stores. That's a good thing but, with this added value, come a few cautions.

Misspellings on labels may simply be mistakes, which could be part of the reason a product comes to a dollar store, but food and medications with unfamiliar labels slapped onto familiar products or weird spellings on labels, should be viewed with suspicion.

Some independent retailers have been known to remove expiration dates from packages by cutting boxes or blacking out information. I've never heard of a major dollar store chain resorting to these unethical practices, but you need to be aware that it does happen.

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]]>Dollar Storesfoodfood at the dollar storehealthout of date foodMarlene AlexanderWed, 08 Sep 2010 17:30:00 ESTDollar stores rival Walmart - here's whyhttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/08/25/dollar-stores-rival-walmart-heres-why/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/08/25/dollar-stores-rival-walmart-heres-why/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/08/25/dollar-stores-rival-walmart-heres-why/#commentsFiled under: , ,

dollar stores rival wal-Mart. An article on BNET earlier this year suggests that, despite the best efforts of retailers like Aldi and Walmart to entice lower-income consumers to spend more in their stores, dollar stores are proving a worthy rival.

People who started shopping at Dollar Tree and 99-cent Only Stores out of necessity, are continuing to frequent them even as the country emerges from the recession. Consumers seem to be buying more everyday needs such as food, dish soap and paper towels in dollar stores and they drop by more often.

For Dollar Tree, consolidated net sales for the second quarter were $1.38 billion, a 12.7% increase compared to $1.22 billion reported for the quarter ended August 1, 2009. Retail sales for 99-cent Only Stores increased by 4.6% to $336.6 million and same-store sales increased 2.7% so far this year.

According to a report from Bloomsburg Businessweek, Dollar General and Family Dollar also continue to grow, even as Walmart begins to lose ground.

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]]>dollar store bargainsDollar storessaving moneyshoppingWalmartMarlene AlexanderWed, 25 Aug 2010 10:30:00 EST17 alternative uses for toothpaste, from bee stings to cleaning ringshttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/08/24/17-alternative-uses-for-toothpaste/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/08/24/17-alternative-uses-for-toothpaste/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/08/24/17-alternative-uses-for-toothpaste/#commentsFiled under: ,

Toothpaste cleans and polishes your teeth and freshens your mouth but it can also be added to your arsenal of cleaning supplies to polish, shine and freshen a whole host of other things. For these applications, skip the fancy toothpastes and stick with the white paste kind. Here are 17 alternative uses for toothpaste:

1. Clean ceramic cook tops. Who knew? I actually tried this and toothpaste works at least as well as those expensive ceramic cook top cleaners.

2. Remove crayon from painted walls. Put some toothpaste on a damp cloth to clean the wall, then rinse.

Wish I'd known about this when my daughter was three and decided to draw huge crayon circles on a bare living room wall. It can also take stains out of carpets and clothes. As some toothpastes contain bleaching ingredients, you might want to try it on an inconspicuous spot first to make sure it doesn't take the color out of whatever you're cleaning. For a carpet, use a scrub brush with the toothpaste, then rinse. For fabric, apply the toothpaste directly on the stain, rub briskly and rinse. Repeat as needed. It might not work for all stains or on certain fabrics.

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]]>bee stingcleaningdollar store divadvdsinsect bitesjewelrytoothpasteMarlene AlexanderTue, 24 Aug 2010 06:30:00 EST