Mar

27

100 Under 100 (cents)

Filed Under Shopping | 7 Comments

99signIt seems that just about every magazine does a “40 under 40″ or “50 under 50″ article at least once a year, highlighting the Young Turks in any particular industry. Well, those are all nice and inspirational, but these days not as important to me and you — we need to save some money before we can get famous! So, here for the first time, the I LOVE a Good Bargain’s Guide to 100 things you can buy at the 99 cent store that are just as good as buying anywhere else.  And a few that are not.

  1. balloonBalloons — filled with helium, and for another buck you can get a coordinating weight.
  2. Socks — for the whole family.
  3. Body Scrubbies — though sometimes not as fluffy as the drugstore store brands — squeeze first.
  4. Reading Glasses — not for reading War and Peace, but perfect for leaving around the house.
  5. Painting Supplies — avoid the brushes if you’re a perfectionist, but trays, mixers, tapes, etc are fine.
  6. Room Fresheners — smell as good as the others.
  7. Paper Party Goods — for general and theme specific eventsparty plate
  8. Fake Flowers — if you’re going to go fake, please don’t spend a lot on them.
  9. Candles — scented and un, different shapes and colors, light ‘em up. 
  10. Scrubby Sponges — The sink doesn’t care where they came from.
  11. Storage  Bins — I especially like the shoebox sized ones.
  12. Carpet Cleaners — sprays and powders, really work!
  13. Plastic Pitchers — clear ones are also good for making tea in the sun.
  14. Bubbles — I can’t believe I once paid more in a party store.
  15. Plain Glass Vases — keep the design simple and no one will ever know.
  16. Scotch TapeScotch Tape — as long as it’s brand name and strong.
  17. Furniture Polish — just spray and dust.
  18. Correcting Fluid — who really needs it anymore anyway? 
  19. Straws — just make sure they’re not too skinny to get a good gulp.
  20. spinnersWind Toys — spinners and more.
  21. Toothpaste — I really can’t tell the difference.
  22. Plain White Envelopes –some even have that stuff to hide what’s inside.
  23. Dryer Sheets — millions of uses.
  24. Manicure Implements — but go for the separate ones, not the whole set for a buck.clipper
  25. Petroleum Jelly — as greasy as the name brand.
  26. Lunch Baggies — also good when flying.  Double bag for safety.
  27. Batteries — someone should do a study to see if the long-lasting ones are really longer-lasting.
  28. Presentation Boards — work for most projects.
  29. Water — if you’ve got to buy bottled, at least buy it here.
  30. Bathroom Cleaner – a Scrubbing Bubble by any other name….
  31. twizzlersName Brand Candy — at least you know where it came from.
  32. Laundry Detergent — many types to choose from.
  33. Rain Ponchos — two for a buck here, or $15 each at a theme park; you decide. 
  34. Gift Wrapping — tubes or sheets, plus a bag o’ bows.
  35. Super Glue — great for fixing nails too.
  36. Stickers — of all kinds.  And sticker books to put them in.stickers
  37. Glue Sticks — sticks as well as the others. 
  38. Pencils — plain and fancy.
  39. Deodorant — but only the ones with names you recognize.
  40. Dish Scrubbers — all shapes for your particular needs.
  41. 3-ring binders — to hold the budget paper.
  42. Rocks — for floral or fish-bowl design.
  43. Candlesticks and Holders — tealightsjust keep them simple style-wise.
  44. Dental Floss — I personally have never had to buy this, but if you must…
  45. Freezer Bags — have many many uses.
  46. Beach Pails and Shovels — they’re going to break or get lost anyway.
  47. ballsShmushy Ball Toys — only for kids who are old enough to know not to eat them.
  48. Mirrored Small Plates — add a glittery touch under candles.
  49. Hanging Baskets — but don’t put anything too heavy in them.
  50. Measuring Spoons — measuring spoonsvery cute, actually.
  51. Coloring Books — for children of all ages.
  52. Antibiotic Ointment — be careful though with cortisone. 
  53. Scouring Powder — the large sizes usually cost more at the market.
  54. Sharpies felt-tip pens — should never cost more than a buck.sharpies
  55. Tissue Paper — for wrapping and stuffing, in white or colors.
  56. Floss Picks — one should never be out of the house without one.
  57. Baby’s First Books — they’re fun and bright, just keep them out of baby’s mouth. baby books
  58. Puzzle Books — you’re going to throw them out when you’re done anyway.
  59. Santaria Candles — We need all the help we can get.santaria
  60. Shelf Liner — paper or plastic, the same as anywhere else.
  61. Packing Tape — clear, brown or …
  62. Duck Tape  – the man’s man’s tape of choice.
  63. Baby Oil — mineral oil in a pink bottle.  Grab it while it’s still a buck.
  64. Baby Powder — oh, so soothing.
  65. Wedding Accessories — too cute.wedding boxes
  66. Bottle Grippers — for opening the tight ones.
  67. Desk Accessories — a neat desk is a thing of beauty.
  68. Cough Drops — you can find both branded and not.  Pick your favorite flavor.
  69. Toilet Bowl Brush — how much more do you really want to spend on your toilet anyway?
  70. Fabric Rose Petals — for weddings, costumes or a romantic evening.
  71. Photo Frames — no plastic, no scratches please.
  72. calculatorCalculator — another thing that’s usually free, but if you do need one…
  73. BandAids — Get the fun ones here, with characters and colors, but check the glue first.
  74. Hand Cleaners — and refills, a dollar each.
  75. Dishes — plan and fancy, can really dress a table nicely.
  76. Plastic Food Storage Containers  – all sizes.
  77. Hair Accessories — many styles and colors, just as tight on the head as the expensive ones.
  78. Gift Bags — combine with tissue papers for a custom look.gift bags
  79. Index Cards– in white and colors
  80. “Green” reusable shopping bags — an easy way to help save the environment 
  81. Writing Pads — plain, decorated, big, small, even legal!
  82. Plastic Cups — perfect for parties and for dishwasher-free homes.
  83. Umbrellas — extras, not primaries.umbrellas
  84. Plastic Kitchen Utensils — just beware of too-soft spatulas.
  85. Gardening Supplies — from soil to pots to stepping stones.
  86. Nail Polish Remover — with acetone or not.
  87. Little Mushy Stuffed Toys –nothing says I Love You like a mushy little toy.
  88. Colored Chalk — great for sidewalk artists.
  89. Rubbing Alcohol — please do not drink.
  90. Peroxide — for cleaning, not your hair. 
  91. Bleach — ditto. 
  92. Moth Balls — for that fresh-out-of-storage scent.
  93. Hula Skirts — for a kid or a table. hula skirtComplement with …leis
  94. Leis — for that tropical feeling
  95. Greeting Cards — when you care enough to send the very cheapest.
  96. Silly Trendy serving pieces — like glasses with trees as stems.  Disposable.
  97. Swimming Pool Noodles — as good as the $2 ones.
  98. Outdoor Plastic glasses and stuff — Bright colors, fun designs, hard to break.
  99. egg_dyeHoliday Decorations — this stuff is great! And at these prices, you can do it again next year.
  100. Costumes — buy ready made or make it your own; I love my $1 purple wig!

 

 

And,  10 things we would NOT buy there:

 

  1. Pregnancy Testtest
  2. Tampons
  3. Internal Cleansers
  4. Q-Tips
  5. Razors
  6. Photo Paper
  7. Clothespins
  8. Baby Toys
  9. Hair Color
  10. Any perishable food.grapefruit

 

Enjoy your Shopping!

Photos: DollarTree.com and my cellphone

Mar

19

Friends With Money

Filed Under Building Wealth | Comments Off

Here in Florida, the only thing better than owning a boat is having a friend who owns one.  Much less trouble and definitely much less expense, especially this past year when the gas prices went out of reality.  I recently had the pleasure of a private sunset cruise on my friend’s yacht out on the Intracoastal Waterway in Miami.

Believe it or not, there is a good lesson to be learned from my evening on the high seas:  One really good way to live like the rich without spending a fortune is to hang out with rich people.  And it’s not just about the sailing, the fine dining, the good wine and the other hobbies and toys of the rich and famous — it’s about listening to and absorbing the info and the mindset of the wealthy.  Watch how they live.  They rarely waste money.  They always ask for, expect, and usually get, a discount on their purchases. They truly respect money and the power that comes with it.  Lots to learn, good to imitate.  ’Cause if you start to think like a rich person, and act like a rich person, you’ll be on your way to creating more abundance in your life.

Have you ever heard of T. Harv Eker?  He runs a prosperity education program called Peak Potentials.  Absolutely worth checking out — his initial 3-day Millionaire Mind workshop is heavily discounted if you click here — it will definitely change your life, as it did mine.   Also, at the seminar you’ll be offered tons of more information and future seminars, and usually there are big discounts if you buy or register while you’re there.

One thing I always think about is Harv telling us that when he was poor, he would walk past a penny laying in the street because it wasn’t worth bending down for.  ”Now,”  he says,  ” I am Very Very Very Very rich, and when I see a penny lying in the street, I pick it up, kiss it up to the universe, and say “I am a money magnet, thank you, thank you, thank you.”"

Makes you think.

Rich people honor money, in all denominations.  It’s a good habit to get into.

For more about Peak Potentials training, click here.