So today I had my first encounter at The Dollar Tree- and I must say- it was quite intriguing!

Okay, so I must back track a little. The Dollar Tree practically exploded overnight in Oklahoma while I was in high school.

You couldn’t help walking into one back then.

Ha- I would say they were like “a dime a dozen-”

but considering that the math wouldn’t add up (after all- it’s The DOLLAR Tree), I will digress…

However, it’s been quite a few years since I have been to The Dollar Tree and today was my very first grown up experience in which me-the adult who actually has to live on a budget- entered the The Dollar Tree-

or what I now like to call

The World of Wonders…

I went in to get a gift bag for my Secret Pal and came out with 2 gift bags, a cooking magazine, a small book of quotes, and a cook book-

for five dollars.

FIVE FREAKING DOLLARS.

This very concept is blowing my mind. In fact, I almost felt as though I should just pay more because seriously- I was freaking robbing the place blind.

Huh.

This could be awesome therapy for those thrill seeker cleptos! Instead of going to stores and stealing stuff, they should just go to The Dollar Tree and go on a wildly recklessly shopping spree, filling up an entire cart to the brim and walking out for ten freaking dollars.

THIS PLACE IS AMAZING.

Okay- so sure there are lots um- lots. Please look up “lots” in your thesaurus right now. Find something way better and bigger than lots and insert that word right _______ <- here because I'm not kidding there are _________ of freaking crap at this store in addition to all of its amazingness. Think scary ceramic animal decor and questionable expired canned goods.

However-

there are some pretty great finds too.

I’m pretty sure the store ladies thought I was Encino Woman and had never set foot in a store before.

I walked up and down the aisles in awe and wonder- and fear at some points too.

I think I even said, “Oooh!” out loud in sheer excitement at some point.

I must not get out much.

But seriously- how great is that place!?

Cute and good smelling candles?

A dollar!

Giant parachute two-pack granny panties?

A dollar!

(which in my opinion is a freaking STEAL considering I could tarp our car in those things...)

Palmolive Dish Soap?

A dollar!

Do you guys understand the amazingness I’m trying to convey?

I’m not sure you do.

Sigh…

I got a little freaked out in the fake flowers section. It’s been a while since I’ve seen so many feax petunias-

but it’s all good because at that point I already had my awesome FIVE DOLLAR finds in hand-

to include my giant two for $1 tarp undies (AKA my way super hot mom lingerie- growl).

Okay- I’m kidding about that last part-

but I kind of thought it would be funny.

THEY WERE A DOLLAR!

A DOLLAR!

Okay-

maybe it’s that I lived in Kuwait for three years, where everything was insanely expensive-

I have no idea-

but I am seriously fascinated by the concept of The World of Wonders.

I must say it was an interesting experience- and I’ll probably go back simply because there are a few things there that are pretty freaking cheap and as a tightwad I’m all about a good deal.

So, there you have it. My “First Time” at The Dollar Tree.  A little scary, pretty exhilerating, and way, way too cheap.

<3