Throughout our lives, you may come into contact with a dollar store - for whatever reason.

The dollar store for me - as a kid - was a magical place.

How cool, right?

Everything was $1 (this is not to say that every dollar store is only $1).

But little did I know that when I got older I would find out how magical it still was! You can buy just about anything there (again, I am not presuming you can purchase EVERYTHING here) - so here are the things I wish I had known when I was a freshman in college that would have definitely saved me some money then as it does now as an adult:

1. Silverware/Dishes

Every college kid has some form of dishware. Plates, forks, knives, spoons, cups or mugs and so on. I had no idea that the Dollar Tree had quality silverware until we were in a pinch and had to buy them. They have thick, well-made wine glasses to ease my wine-loving heart, their forks and other silverware are a heavier weight for added quality - not to mention they sell plastic/paper versions of all of the above. HELLO QUALITY

2. Kitchen Items

I know you're skeptical, but seriously they are wonderful. They sell disposable containers to cook food or deserts in. They have spatulas, big knives, even various hand choppers and strainers. Cutting boards, tongs, and so on. If I had known that the dollar tree had decent items, I would have most definitely filled my kitchen with them and not felt bad if they went missing (for whatever reason) or broke.

3. Books

From the Bible to leisure reading - the Dollar Tree has an array of books ranging from children, young adult, to adult. I know that I recently purchased a book set from there, it's an excellent find. Not to mention - if your church or you know of people collecting books for donations, this is a great place to buy them.

4. Candy

Throughout the year, they have an array of different kinds of candy. Although they may come in smaller portions (it is, after all, the dollar store), you can still find so many awesome buys here for each holiday and candy need (right down to Neco wafers and circus peanuts.. which I think are gross).

5. Themed Decorations

I have an office so when Halloween started approaching, I wanted to add some pizzazz to it. I went to the Dollar Tree to check out their decorations because they are so wonderful! I have some black roses with purple sparkly stick things for added color, there's a wreath on my office door, and I even got a sparkly skull and pumpkin for my desk. Not to mention the spider-web candy dish I now have sitting out. You can't go wrong with a little festivity.

6. Office/School Items

I love school/office supplies. I love the end of July-September when they bring out the supplies for kids going back to school because I personally get giddy (even though I have no reason to be). They have tons of cool stuff - sticky notes in different sizes/shapes, tacks and push-pins, paperclips, binder clips, pencil cases, binders, notebooks, varieties of pens and markers. They even have posterboards for presentations. HOW FREAKING AWESOME IS THAT?

7. Plastic Containers

I was raised to save what you don't eat and consume it at a later time. So if you plan on cooking - you're going to need something to put your food in later. The Dollar Tree sells a variety of styles, colors, shapes, and sizes for all of your food-saving needs (seriously, I swear by them).

8. Cleaning Supplies

If you're in a pinch and need to clean your house or are going to someone else's house to clean, they have just about everything. They're not necessarily going to be name-brand, but they do the job the same as anything else.

9. Food/Snacks

I don't know if you've been to the Dollar Tree recently, but they actually sell food. Bagels, cheese, turkey bacon, frozen meals, frozen foods/fruit, eggs, butter, etc. Not to mention that they have chips, cookies, and other snacks that you may want to fill your drawers/cupboards with.

10. Birthday Supplies

You have a birthday coming up? They have cards, you need some tablecloths, plates, an ugly hat you want them to wear? Oh yes, they have that too.

11. Balloons

Birthday's, Babies, Plain Colors, and so on, they have so many different types of balloons to choose from it's most definitely worth it!

12. Toiletries and Such

I called this and such only because they have more than just tampons, shampoos, and body soaps. Dollar Tree also sells baby supplies (butt creams, teething things, etc.), hair color, toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, makeup, lotions, body washes, bar soap, deodorant, perfume, colognes, pregnancy tests, ovulation tests, drugs tests, cough drops, cold medicine, migraine pills, even Advil. THEY HAVE IT ALL

I am not saying that you should stop buying your name-brand items - I get it, we all like what we like - I am just saying that the Dollar Tree is a great place that deserves some more respect for what its got. It has saved me on more than one occasion so I am happy it exists, and that it's available to me. Did I mention you can buy Online? Find your nearest Dollar Tree today and get your shop on!