Summer Recession Chic at Your Local Dollar Stores

I love the dollar stores in my town. We have three and I love to take time to just walk through them and check out what they've got.

Sure, some of the stuff is really junky - but most of the stuff I find are great bargains and pretty decent items.

During summer, the dollar stores are my choice when it comes to garden decorations.

I'll admit it, when I'm an old lady I'll probably be one of those who clutters up the yard with ceramic tigers and pink flamingoes. I love sticking little treasures in my butterfly garden.

Since I'm a tightwad, I don't want to spend a lot of money on such things and I've found the local dollar stores to be a buffet of cheap treats.

I've shopped at the dollar stores for household items, birthday treasures, assorted holiday decorations, and lots of other stuff.

Since I have two little girls, we have always gone through lots of hair baubles and hair bands. . .and we've lost lots of them. The dollar stores have the cheapest prices around so I don't get too bent out of shape when they disappear.

In truth, most things are cheaper at the dollar stores - but you do have to be careful: Not everything is cheaper. It pays to know what regular prices at Wal-Mart or KMart is.

I found this neat slideshow promoting summer treasures for under $20. Take a look.

My question: Do you do the dollar store shuffle and if so, what are some of your favorite bargains found there?