Mark Dirks / AP

Why Shoppers and Shopping Centers Alike Now Embrace the Dollar Store

At one time, upper- and middle-class shopping centers turned up their noses at dollar stores, assuming that their presence would hurt the image of neighboring retailers, as well as the area as a whole. My, how times have changed.

Are There Really More Dollar Stores Than Drugstores in the U.S.?

Mark Dirks / AP

The family-run drugstore on Main Street has been dying for decades. Now, the big national chain pharmacies—which helped push those family operations to the brink of extinction—are being surpassed in terms of total locations by dollar stores. What does this say about how people shop nowadays? And about the state of the economy?

180 Money Tips, Holiday Gift Edition

Including links to more than 80 unusual and unusually thrifty gift ideas, along with money lessons from “The Simpsons” and money lessons for irresponsible 20-somethings, smart financial moves to make for the holidays and dumb financial moves that’ll make you fat.

When the Dollar Store Undercuts Walmart Prices (and Vice Versa)

Ever wonder whether the dollar store really has better prices on everyday purchases than Walmart, or any number of drugstores and supermarkets?

Dinner via the Dollar Store

You head to the dollar store for everything from party favors to laundry detergent. So why not wrangle up food there too? Some dollar stores are even known to have fresh produce.

How to Cook with Under a Buck: A Talk with the 99-Cent Chef

Up today in the cooking-on-a-budget series, a Q&A with a blogger-cook-cinematographer-jester who puts together recipes using ingredients that cost $1 or under. It’s not quite as difficult as sticking to $1 a day for your entire food budget. But it’s certainly interesting, and you’ve got to be creative to pull off a meal using only [...]

My Big Fat 99¢ Wedding

“Clean-up in aisle seven! There are happy bridal tears all over the place.” Nine couples won a promotion from 99¢ Only Stores—and the prize was a wedding ceremony that cost (yep) just 99¢, held among aisles of canned vegetables, cookies, and party favors in the discount chain’s Hollywood location.