You may have noticed that there's a new forum called "Dollar Store." Keep an eye on it, because soon Dollar Store expert Marlene Alexander will be checking in soon with a lot of money saving ideas and advice and a unique way of looking at Dollar Stores!

I hope she will be discussing more ideas on using dollar store finds to decorate and organise with. She has some interesting articles on that.

 Me, too and we have a few here that are now carrying named brand foods..wonder if she will cover that. : )

Here in San Francisco, "schlock" 99cents stores abound -- selling junk that will fall apart early in use.  We do have one "The Dollar Store," which as part of a chain must be far better in quality, but I've never been.  Most likely, this Forum will entice me to shop in that national-chain store.  It is right a half-block down from ThriftTown, so is an easy bus ride with my aide.

Hi Deb,

You can find junk in any dollar store so you have to be selective. My favorite store here in Canada is called "Dollarama.' They don't sell anything over a dollar but they have an awesome selection that is organized much like a department store and they get new stock in regularly. I got the idea for my columns from shopping there. 

Marlene, Are your columns online?  How can we see them? 

 Deb, go to the Dollar Store forum (last in the list right now) there's a link to her site there.

Ah, watafusiam!  I totally forgot that the new site has her as Stretchpert!  I'll live on her forum for Dollar Store posts from now on!  Aplogies, Deb

 No need to apologize.

Hi Deb,

 You can see my articles at The Dollar Stretcher and I also write bi-monthly pieces for an online magazine called Sensible Life (www.sensiblelife.com).