Smart Shopping: Dollar Savings

WSVN -- From name brand essentials to party supplies and snacks, dollar stores are booming nationwide.

Elda: "You save some money. You get basic brands."

Jorge Salazar-Carrillo, FIU Professor: "The dollar stores are having such an advantage at this point, and they probably will continue to have it as this process spreads itself throughout the economy."

FIU economics professor Jorge Salazar-Carrillo says consumers are being more budget conscious due to the slowing economy.

Jorge Salazar-Carrillo: "They're thinking about how long this will last, and if it lasts a whole year or maybe more, they begin to save."

And saving also means stretching your dollar to the fullest.

Isabel: "If I go to another store, I will pay two dollars or a dollar more for the items that I can get here for a dollar."

At stores like the Dollar Tree, you can find great deals on cleaning supplies, popular soaps and kitchen must-haves.

Sharon: "I think of dollar stores as a treasure hunt because you can go in there looking for product x and find x, y and z."

The author of the Frugal Duchess, Sharon Harvey Rosenberg, says to know what you want before stepping into a store.

Sharon: "You can save a lot, you can spend a lot. It's funny how those little dollars add up."

Also, stick to the items you're familiar with.

Sharon: "Quality varies from dollar store to dollar store. Test one bag because sometimes the little seal doesn't work on the plastic bags."

And always keep an eye out for expiration dates.

Sharon: "You can get stale food, food that's way past it's prime."

Sharon says savvy shoppers should beware of look-alike brands.

Sharon: "Look for the names and put your spell check on."

Sharon: "Instead of saying Disney, they may be saying Ditney, and your eye automatically sees Disney, and it's not a Disney toy that you are buying."

You can also save a bundle on gift cards, candy and even juices for the entire family, but experts say to stay away from vitamins, no name extension cords and vinyl lunch boxes.

Sharon: "Some lunch boxes could have lead in it or the plastic could leak."

And don't forget to shop along with the kids.

Sharon: "It's a cheap date with children."

Dylan: "I like to buy here a little bit of toys for my little brother and my big brother, and like maybe something for my mom or my dad."

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

The Frugal Duchess:
http://www.frugalduchess.com/

Florida International University:
http://www.fiu.edu/

Dollar Tree:
www.dollartree.com