There is a lot of stigma attached to being a student of low income; especially at a University whose annual endowment is roughly 500 million a year with tuition at about $60,000 a year including room and board. In order to meet the demands financially of the institution at which I study, my family and I have had to get creative in terms of budgeting expenses and allocating them accordingly. A common misconception of the 99 Cent Store Store is that it is “gross” or “where poor people shop,” but to my family and I it has assisted greatly in not only providing me with delicious and healthy food for a fraction of the amount of a conventional grocery store, but is also a fun place to explore due to its expansive inventory of various products, plus I've seen quite a few Beemers and Benz pass through its parking lot! Here is an in depth guide to just a few of the many things that can be purchased for 99 cents (or slightly more or less) at 99 Cent Only Stores around the country.
Section I Health Food/Food Stuffs
1. Organic Salad Mix
Yes, you read that correctly. For a mere 99 cents you can purchase an entire bin of organic salad mixes with healthy greens like arugula, kale, and spinach. Not to sound patronizing, but if I had a nickel for every time I heard the argument that eating healthy costs more than eating McDonalds let's just say I'd have a whole lot of nickels to buy a whole lot of organic salad.
2. Bananas
Sorry Trader Joe's, while I love you very much for your specialty goods like Speculoos and frozen meals, you have a rival for cheapest bananas! The 99 Cent Store sells their bundles for about 30 cents and they're brand name. For all your smoothie and other banana related needs, consider buying them at the 99 Cent Store.
3. Berries
Normally, these antioxidant-rich beauties retail at around $3-$4 per basket at conventional grocery stores. Now you can get your daily dose of brain-feeding, delicious berries for two to three dollars less than retail value and they're the exact same brand as regular stores!
4. Greek Yogurt
Most consumers of yogurt who are health conscious sing the praises of this creamy treat (which is also a lower fat alternative in many dairy laden recipes) but did you know that you can get a variety of different brands of the goods for a fraction at the 99 Cent Store for less than 99 cents?
5. Coconut Water
Arguably one of the best hangover cures in the world, coconut water can be purchased for next to nothing at 99 Cent Stores everywhere, in fact I bought an industrial sized case of Zico once for $1.00. The Dollar Store also carries brands like Maui and Sons, Vita Coco, and One.
6. Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
If you're an avid Pinterest user like myself you will realize just how many different and delicious things one can create with crescent dough. This tube of deliciousness also comes in handy if you are regularly in the habit of hosting guests and want the ability to feed people on the cheap. One example: if you eat meat, purchase in tandem some Oscar Meyer weenies (sold also at the 99 Cent Store!) and make some pigs and blankets for your party guests!
7. Low Calorie Snacks
The 99 Cent Store is the Mecca of all places to get premium snackage for dirt cheap. Not only do they have all your run of the mill Cheetos, Doritos (and kind of ito's frankly) but also healthy options like Kind Bars, and Coconut Chips, and Organic, Non-GMO, low calorie popcorn for anywhere between $2-$4 less than supermarkets.
8. Spices
For an avid foodie like myself whose spice cabinet is filled to the brim, this place is a dream come true. I probably wouldn't have practically every spice known to man (slight exaggeration but true) if it weren't for the 99 Cent Store; they even sell more premium exotic seasonings like Cardamom and Himalayan Pink Sea Salt for, you guessed it! A dollar!
Section II: Health and Beauty
9. Frozen Kleenex
Wanna "Let it Go?" And by "it" I mean your mucous, why not use nifty "Frozen" collectable Kleenex? I am embarrassed (but not really) to admit that I actually own a box of Kleenex with Anna and Elsa on the box and as someone with allergies these babies sure do come in handy! With Anna and Elsa's help, my cold's never bothered me anyway! Bad "Frozen" puns aside you too can get some cute, non-generic tissue for $1.00 as opposed to $3.00 at store's like Target.
10. Contraception
While I cannot personally attest to the effectiveness of these condoms, I believe that contraception is an invaluable commodity on college campuses. In a time of sexual exploration, preventative measures should always be taken to insure that one does not end up with more than they bargained for after an intimate encounter (whether that's an unwanted pregnancy or an STD). So, if a man ever tells you they "can't afford" condoms now they have no excuse!
11. Capsaicin Patches
I have a prematurely old back. While I am only 23 I'd venture to say I have the spine of an 80 year old woman. Capsaicin: a natural soothing agent derived from chili peppers is what is found in these lovely patches. On a day when my back is killing me I slap one of these babies on and my back is comfortably numb for hours!
12. Facial Masks
As a person with a goal to have youthful skin well into my hundreds I have to start somewhere and since I don't have thousands of dollars to shell out on expensive skin care treatments and anti-aging creams; these work in a pinch. I don't know if they work at all but they smell really nice and make my skin soft, plus it's fun to pretend I'm Hannibal Lector on Snapchat.
13. Gel Nail Polish
I personally am not a big fan of gel mani's (I wear acrylic nails and find that normal polish works just fine) but there's no denying that this nail trend is quite popular among young women my age. For those of you who don't have the budget or desire to spend $30-$40 on a gel manicure this at home stuff might just do the trick and if not, hey it was only a dollar!
Section III Miscellaneous Novelty Goods
14. Selfie Sticks
For those of us vain, yet frugal folks out there, now we too can have the obnoxious appendage that has been banned from Disneyland, known as the selfie stick for a mere dollar to document all of our adventures. The only caveat is that the button to take said selfies is sold separately.
15. Adorable Inflatable Pool Companions
Who doesn't love inflatable pool toys? I don't care what age you are, I'm fairly certain that no one can resist an inflatable dolphin (and if you can I'm not sure we can be friends). While I'm still waiting for the 99 Cent Store to stock up on oversized inflatable swans and donuts this is a good (and cheap) segue into the world of aquatic inflatable adorableness.
16. Wine Sippy Cups
Going to a concert in the park? Wanna sip on your sangria without the risk of spilling? Why pay a ridiculous $12 for the exact same product elsewhere when you can get this totally legit adult sippy cup for only a dollar? With a straw too? Score!
17. Holiday Decor
One of my personal favorite hobbies is decorating and DIY; and the Dollar Store has a plethora of goodies for making your dorm, apartment, or home 1000 times more festive for the holidays! With Valentine's Day around the corner you can stock up on pink and red crap to your heart's (pun totally intended) content!
18. Jesus Candles
If you are more religiously inclined (or just love a good 'ol creepy Holy Santo candle) the dollar store has a vast assortment of candles with the artwork of Jesus, The Virgin Mary, and The Virgin Guadalupe (just to name a few).
Section IV Home Goods
19. Adorable Mugs
I personally have the mustache mug and I love it! There's nothing better than waking up in the morning putting on some fuzzy slippers and pouring a hot beverage of your choice into a cute mug; and you know, sleeping better at night knowing you didn't waste all your precious dollars on it. On Etsy or on boutique website's these same mugs cost around $28 for the set, but at the 99 Cent Store it will cost you a paltry $2.00.
20. Mason Jars
Last but not least one of my personal favorites, mason jars (I know, I know, how very basic!) I personally use them as drinking glasses, not only because they're frickin' adorable but because I'm clumsy and break things easily and these are certifiably Gabi-proof. The 99 Cent Store has by far the best prices on mason jars I've ever seen and in a variety of colors, sizes, and materials. ILY 99 Cent Store!
