Eat Good Cheap

I like fruit, but I am cheap. Luckily, I recently learned that at my local 99 Cents Only [http://www.99only.com/] store, produce is delivered on Tuesday night. Last Wednesday morning, I got a big bag of cherries, a cantaloupe, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, kiwis, asparagus, a big package of salad, green onions, broccoflower, a big bag of plums, a big bag of peaches, and some other stuff too.  I like to buy organic and local, and some of the stuff at the 99 Cents Only store is organic and/or local.

Because it's sometimes packaged in very small quantities, the produce at the dollar store isn't always a great deal, but generally the quality is quite good - though I can't say the same for the other food.  Most of it is crap - full of HFCS (high fructose corn syrup), MSG, etc. However, there are usually a few things that are worthwhile - including vinegar, baking soda and candy (it's bad for you anyway, so why not get it cheap).  And, in terms of non-food items, the dollar store is good for rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, aluminum foil, parchment paper, bobby pins, toothbrushes, toothpicks, batteries, funky socks, fun underwear, killer sunglasses, vases, wrapping paper, tissue paper, bags, balloons, party decorations, and stuff like ziploc bags and disposable plates, cups, napkins and silverware (for those odd times when I actually use throw away supplies).

Sometimes there are also yummy things that just happen to be at the dollar store. My favorites are POM teas, Milka chocolates, Almond Roca, Quaker oatmeal, and Pop Tarts. These aren't healthy things, but as long as they aren't regular things in your diet, why not buy 'em cheap. 99 cent food - a cheap triumph!