The Dollar Store...

I love to go to the dollar store. Debbie will need to pick up some greeting cards or something and I'm always ready to go with her. I can walk the aisles and find things I didn't know I needed. I need lots of things when they only cost a buck.

I enjoy taking the grandkids to the dollar store. For just a little money I can walk out of there looking like Daddy Warbucks (if you don't know who that is ask your momma).

Debbie and I were walking through the store one evening and I found something I really, really needed. It was a six-pack of .5mm lead for my mechanical pencil. Now, my employer is more than happy to supply my lead since the only time I use this pencil is at work. But for one lousy dollar I could buy SIX individual packages of lead which typically costs $3 each from the office supply. For those who are math challenged that is a $17 savings on lead!!! Since I am a company man I spent my own dollar for this lead. I know, it is commendable but I hate to take too much credit.

I took the lead home and promptly forgot all about it. A couple of days ago I ran across it lying in a desk drawer. I took one of the six packets to work with me and loaded up my pencil. You cannot imagine how proud of myself I am because of my cost cutting techniques. Oh sure, the cost of safety goggles for me and anyone sitting within 15' of my desk was a bit much and the emergency trip to the hospital for Scott, who failed to get his goggles on in time, was more than expected, but doggone it, that lead was CHEAP!!!

Oh, I forgot to mention the cost of a new mechanical pencil. I had to replace it for some reason. Every time I tried to use it after loading it with my great find the lead would break off and sail off through the air. Eventually the pencil got to where it wouldn't turn as I tried to advance more lead. There was a weird grinding noise coming out of it. Finally a powder similar to graphite got all over my hands and shirt (did I mention the cost of a new shirt?) and I decided my mechanical pencil was defective. I had to throw it away and get a new one. It came with two pieces of lead so I better remember to bring another pack from home.

So, in summary:
Safety goggles... 4 pair $20.00
Trip to hospital... $570.00
New Shirt... $34.00
New mechanical pencil... $20.00
Finding a deal at the dollar store that saved $17.00 on the cost of lead... PRICELESS