Dollar Tree Haul

I'm not alone in my love for the Dollar Tree.  While I know you have to be careful to spot the things that are not a deal, or not worth even the $1.00 price tag, there are some things for which it has become my go to store. I recently went to stock up on things for the 4th of July weekend, and some back logged birthday and baby gift cards and wrap. I spent $29.00 and some odd change. I had to go to Walmart that same day so did a peek at a few comparable items, and my savings were sizeable in some areas.  

Close your eyes, Sonya Ann at A Mom, Money, and More, I bought two baby gift bags, plus three sets of two, colored gift bags, and colored tissue paper. Total Spent, before tax, $6.00. Walmart total, $13.76. I also had a ton of greeting cards, eight in total, for $4.00. The cheapest cards at Walmart were $ .97, and they were thin little lame numbers. The Dollar Tree aren't wildly original, but better than the least expensive at Walmart. Wylers water flavoring packets-love, love, love them for $1.00 for 10 at DT. Walmart Great Value brand is $1.97 for 10. DD2 doesn't drink pop, but every once in a while she likes the fruit punch at a party or picnic, so I picked up a 4 pack of Fanta at DT. Walmart's brand was $1.97 for a 6 pack of equivalent pop and no fruit punch left on the shelf. I didn't buy any, as I decided there would be enough chips at the cabin or my sisters, but DT had Lays Potato chips Stax, and at Walmart they were $1.37. I needed a new can opener, and at a $1.00, it might not last long, but the cheapest at Walmart was $2.97.

I also picked up 6 three packs of children's bubbles for the picnic at my sisters, plus a couple quarts of Arizona Arnold Palmer Tea.  I think these were the same at Walmart , so nothing remarkable, but easy in and easy out compared to the pain in the butt experience at Walmart with under staffed check out and a store the size of Texas. I also bought an assortment of children's board books, puzzles, and card games. The two new babies in the family have older siblings and I like to put a little gift in the bag for them as well. I could have probably spent the same at Walmart, but didn't really see equivalent quite that cheap. Over all, I saved at least $11.67, and probably more on the greeting cards because I wouldn't have bought the ultra cheap versions. Other items were hit or miss, but the convenience is helpful for these little items.  

I've seen many UK bloggers/vloggers that highlight their Poundland, or 99 P stores, and they seem to carry more brand name things than our Dollar Tree, but still currently, the pound is worth more than the dollar, though that gap has shrunk in the last week. Over to you.  Do you use a dollar or pound store, and if so, what's your best bargains?