Dollar Stores are an amazing place. While they’ve been a blessing to many who have struggled based on the economy, they’re also a key source to items worth far, far less than a dollar – items you can’t find anywhere else. In my column, Just A Buck,  I’ll be showcasing a few of my favorite finds.

Item #1: Plastic Baseball Sippy Cup

Do you love baseball and drinking things portably? Well, do I have the item for you! It’s a … well, it’s exactly what it looks like. Be the coolest kid on the block with your plastic, colorless baseball cup. This thing is sure to put a huge dent on the bottled water business.

The best part is that Plastic Baseball Sippy Cup includes a (partially) crazy straw. So not only will you save a ton of money on straws this year, but people will think you’re totally quirky and original based on the zigzag of your sipping device. So, let’s put all the cards on the table: For just a buck, you can:

A) Express your intense love of either baseball (the sport) or baseball (the ball)

B) Constantly stay hydrated

C) Broadcast how straight straws – and even bendy straws – are just too vanilla for your liking.

Item #2: Batman Hand Soap, in “Power Punch”

Hands up if you assume that “Batman Power Punch” would be a little more effective as a fruit drink – or, that Power Punch Hand Soap from the Dollar Store probably has a similar consistency to a fruit drink. Just me? Well, that’s okay. I didn’t buy it, so I didn’t consume anything. And even if I did, stop judging!

Batman Hand Soap was almost my “Dollar Item of the Week”, until I realized I wasn’t a 12-year-old boy. I don’t think my parents ever fell for the product endorsements when I was younger. I wasn’t the type of kid who needed a drawing of Batman to encourage me to wash my hands. I did require Tiny Toon Adventures to enjoy fruit snacks, but those were pretty delicious even if I wasn’t an avid fan of the show. (Which I totally was.)

“But Karen, it’s just hand soap!” you might argue. And, yes. You’re right. Hand soap is always a thing you need to have around. But let me ask you this – have you ever associated Batman with hand washing? I admit that I’m not a Batman genius, but I doubt there were ever any scenes of Batman in the bathroom, or in the kitchen after slicing onions for homemade chili. I don’t know if Batman ever sneezed, and ran to a sink. Quite frankly, I don’t want to picture any of that happening, and Batman Hand Soap in “Power Punch” is pretty much a huge invite to think about Batman in typical “human” situations.

Now, if they were selling capes, or Batmobiles, or Batman costumes, yes. These are all acceptable Batman endorsements for me.

Item #3: Wearable Birthday Hats

Since so many times, I buy a hat and later realize it’s not wearable. “Not another decoration hat!” I always say, with tears in my eyes.

I’ll admit it: I just hate birthday hats. I remember being younger and fearing that the tiny band of elastic that strangled you would snap, and hurt. This has to have happened to everyone before, right? Also, they’re terrible.

Here’s a real picture of me at my last birthday party, after someone made me wear a horrifying birthday hat.

Those dark, old makeup circles under my eyes only appeared after I put the hat on. It also made my lips chapped. Party hats are cruel. Party hats suck the fun out of everything.

However, maybe my big issue with them is solely the fact that the party hats I’ve encountered in my 27 years just weren’t wearable. Finally, someone invented a wearable party hat, and exclusively made it available at the dollar store.

Also, check out the Wearable Hat in comparison to my dinky, poor excuse of a hat: Wearable Hat is slightly more wizard-centric. Wearable Hat also looks way more accommodating for a gigantic head. Plus, the package comes with 6 hats, so if you have 5 friends, you’re set to party.

And finally – my Dollar Store Item of the Week.

Item #4: Going Rogue, by Sarah Palin

What! Already? Wasn’t this a best seller just a few years ago?

I feel like all of the best Dollar Stores have a “book section”, but in every store I’ve visited, the books have been questionable and mostly about religion or pregnancy. Yet lo and behold, Palin’s book is not only available at my local store, but with copies to spare. Located right next to Trash Fish, which I’m sure is great.

This has to be somewhat of a slap in the face to Palin, right? I mean, I wrote a book. And I’d be happy if it made the rounds in dollar stores, since it meant that someone either thought I was someone else, or was the victim of a shipment error from Amazon. But Palin was in the public eye, and currently has 1,373 customer reviews on the aforementioned website.

The book gets kudos because I can seriously envision going to the dollar store for a soda, and leaving with a soda and Going Rogue. Why not, right? I mean, she probably has something interesting or hilarious to say. Plus, you totally have that long plane ride this weekend, and people reading books look cooler than people who decide their flight would be watching Scary Movie 3, or Bring It On 4. Like me.

Plus, hardcover books carry weight. You could also use the book as a doorstop. Or a way to not get crumbs on your lap, when someone brings over holiday cookies.

Stay tuned for more great dollar store finds. If you’ve stumbled across any hidden gems, or happen to be an owner of any of my finds of the week, please share your experiences in the comments!

Photo Credit:  http://www.dailypipavalanche.com