When I was a child, they had these five and dime stores. I remember that they sold these cheap items that were of poor quality. But you gotta do what you gotta do. So they had a lot of business. Most of these stores are gone and, today, are replaced by dollar-type stores.

Actually, there are a lot of the stores. There are actually chains of these stores in America. Many of the items sold in these stores sell for one dollar. Other items are inexpensive also.

If you haven't shopped in one of these stores, I think you're in for a surprize if you do. You'll discover that many brand name items are sold along with the import stuff. In many of them you'll find, coffee,catsup (excuse me, ketchup!),pickles, rice,mustard,salad dressing,spices; and cans of green beans,corn,peas,and carrots. Additionally, many of these stores sell cereal, ice cream, milk, eggs, bacon, and sausage.

I have found that a one dollar twenty five cent frozen box of sausage links (brand name) sell for two dollars and thirty-five cents in a standard grocery store chain! Dollar items such as ketchup, mustard, salad dressing can save you about 25 cents each.

Some of these stores have light bulbs at four for one dollar! Look at what you paid last time for just this item.

If you want to look pretty and/or smell good, these stores offer razor blades, shampoo, hair spray, deodorant and the like. There's soap,detergent, paper towels,cleaning supplies,bug spray. I head the manager talking to a worker in one of these small stores in West Virginia. He said that their inventory was over $100,000. So a lot of people are buying items from similar outlets.

These stores go bananas around Christmas or Holiday time. They offer hundreds of cheap and often attractive gifts for friends or relatives.

Summertime goods include garden hoses,bug spray,garden decorations, seeds, fertilizer, topsoil, etc.

If you live in a $400,000 home, don't worry about pulling in the parking lot in your BMW. I have seen many expensive, and new cars parked in the dollar-type store parking area.

If you don't make much money and things are tight, you might want to check out the potential savings at one of these stores.

I bought a $3 AM/FM radio that has lasted for two years on my porch outside. It even worked after staying outside in 10 degree weather.

There are lots of savings available in the dollar-type store. If you are a comparison shopper, you'll readily see it. And in many instances, you will be buying the same brand name product that you usually do...only at a lower price.

Gene Smith is a writer from West Virginia. He's listed in Who's Who in America, 2005. He has written extensively on the web and has authored one book, "Orphans of the Wind." He is also a songwriter.