Benjamin Franklin once said, “A penny saved is a penny earned.” I imagine he was diving into a delicious cup of chicken-flavored ramen as he said it, but my research hasn’t confirmed that yet. It might have been beef-flavored. Anyway, I think he was the kind of man who really appreciated the value of saving money. Think about it: This man loved saving money so much, they put his face on the $5 bill. So what better place to save your Benjamins than the Mecca for all college students, the epicenter of all things thrifty, nifty, shifty, and frugal: the Dollar Store. Here are five dorm items you can buy for just $1 each. So good luck and happy frugaling!
1. Dishware
Nothing annoys me more than non-microwavable dishware. Why do they even make it? I hate the anxiety of trying to decode the three-point font on the bottom of every plate. The good news is, you can buy microwaveable plates, mugs, and bowls at any Dollar Store and you can choose exactly how many of each item you want rather than going to a big department store to buy an expensive dish set (half of which you won't even use).
2. Socks
I can never understand why a pack of six pairs of socks will cost more than $10. They’re just socks. So you could imagine my delight when I discovered that I could buy three pairs of socks for a single dollar! Or that same dollar can get you six sock puppets! Oh, the frugality! I MEAN, SOCKS!
3. Paper Towels
Many people don’t realize the importance and versatility of paper towels. You never want to be stuck in a situation where you need them and don’t have them. Trust me, I’ve been there and it does not make for a fun evening. The same rule applies to toilet paper. Stock up now and you will thank me later.
4. Baking Soda I Got Baking Soda
It’s not just for 50’s housewives anymore. Baking soda will absorb and eliminate moisture wherever you put it. And, most importantly, it cleans up vomit. VOMIT. You definitely want this close at hand in your dorm at all times.
5. Clothing Detergent
After you’ve used your baking soda and paper towels to clean up your mess because you followed my wonderful advice, you will probably want to wash your sheets. The Dollar Store is a great place to get detergent for very cheap.
