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Last month a branch of Dollar Tree, a store where everything is $1.00 opened within walking distance of my house. Amid the crowds, I decided to check it out.

Merchandise in hand (a number of children’s books, bleach, wrapping paper, etc. each costing a dollar), I had a little chat with the manager.

He explained to me that the buyers from Dollar Tree and similar stores get merchandise that manufacturers and others are willing to sell really cheap for a number of reasons and then sells them for $1.00 each in plain-vanilla stores. You can find them in all kinds of locations, including the famous Mall of America.

Dollar Tree is not the only dollar store around. Here in Southern California we also have the 99 Cent Only Store.

Dollar stores have a variety of merchandise. The ones I recently visited have, for example, sun glasses, groceries, cleaning supplies, tools, toys, party favors, stationary items, greeting cards, toiletries, decorations, kitchenware, batteries, and a host of other merchandise.

Strategic trips to dollar stores can save big on the family budget. I have found that one dollar store near me sells wonderful gourmet breads (day old, but who cares if they're going in the freezer) for a little more than 1/3 of the supermarket price.

Strategic times to visit dollars stores would be the following:

• Party time If you’re planning a kid’s party, you can find a lot of party favors, snacks, small toys, and other similar items cheaply.

• Snack buying time At my workplace, we take turns bringing snacks for the lounge. Sometimes I could find some bargains at dollar stores.

• Outing time Since it’s the beginning of summer now, I saw a lot of summer outing type items at Dollar Tree. The store carried children’s beach kits and sunglasses, for example.

I’m sure as you read this you were thinking of items you might want to buy at a dollar store.

I have three caveats about dollar stores.

First, it might be tempting to go overboard with the impulse buying. I had to restrain myself from buying all kinds of stuff just because it was cheap.

Second, there are some items that I know I would not be happy with if I scrimped on. I saw hammers for a dollar, but some of them already had loose heads. They wouldn’t last long. Better to buy quality with an item you use everyday. I also wonder how long the flatware they had would last. It felt pretty cheap.

Third, many food and medicinal items are very close to and even beyond their expiration dates. Look at those dates before you buy.

As an aside, dollar stores are not the only type of closeout stores around. A company called McFrugal’s operates Pic N’ Save and Big Lots which operates on the same principle, except that they have larger items and not everything is the same price.

Then there are the more upscale closeout shops such as Marshall’s and TJ Maxx which sell more name brand closeouts much cheaper than department stores. Most of my wardrobe comes from those stores and I find them a great source of gifts.

Since Dollar Tree opened in my area, I've gotten into the habit of making a "run" to the dollar stores once every week or two and also stopping there when I need specific grocery items for which I don't have a coupon.

Dollar stores and other closeout stores can contribute mightily to the success of a family budget. Shopping at them takes a little more time, planning, and patience sometimes than other stores, but I find the extra effort worthwhile.

Copyright 2001 by Larry Wiener