Skip to main content

My Beef With The Dollar Stores

My current number one beef with the dollar stores might also be shared with a bunch of Pinterest and assorted website promoters: those neat little plastic organizers (containers, baskets, etc.) look good for about a year, and then they... disintegrate!  They have a much shorter life than the shopping bags we get from the grocery stores!

Maybe they are made of corn starch or rice starch or ??  In any case, perhaps we should be putting them in our compost bins?? (I'm joking)

I guess you do get what you pay for?  Who knew?

I have begun to replace the plastic storage/organizational containers with wire baskets, also from the dollar stores.  I also use large pretty dishes and trays in our main bathroom (yes, made from glass, pottery, ceramics) that I purchased at my favourite thrift store ("Too Good To Be Threw" in Courtenay, BC-- the prices are reasonable and the profits go to support programs for women and children escaping abuse). 

The work to bring down the clutter is still in progress.  Today we are going to go through a few falling-apart baskets upstairs that have accumulated rubble of various descriptions.  I want my husband in on this since he is the Dollarama maven in this house. 
This plastic basket fell apart bit by bit when I picked it up (with a jumble of small items in it, of course).  

So, have you run across this problem with plastic containers meant to organize your spaces in a pretty way?  Suggestions for replacing these kinds of containers? Your comments (below) are much appareciated!

You might also be interested in:
Sentimental Journey: What To Keep, What To Pass Along When You Declutter
Organic Granny Declutters-Simplifies-Minimizes 

Comments

Current TOP of the POPS

🌿Growing Asparagus Sustainably + 3 Irresistible Vegan Recipes

  When the lilacs bloom and the asparagus spears appear, We know that Spring is really here! Welcome to your seasonal guide on how to grow your asparagus sustainably in raised beds or planters, and enjoy it in three delicious vegan dishes. Let’s dig into the gardening tips first, then reward your green thumb with a casserole and two other tasty recipes! 🌿 How to Grow and Care for Asparagus in Raised Beds or Planters Why Raised Beds? Asparagus loves well-drained soil, and raised beds provide ideal drainage, aeration, and earlier spring warming. Plus, they make gardening easier on your back! Planting Basics: Sunlight: Full sun (6–8 hours/day) Soil: Rich, well-drained with a pH of 6.5–7.5 Spacing: Plant crowns 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) apart Crowns vs. Seeds Crowns (1-year roots) are easiest and produce faster. Seeds take longer and need indoor starting. Container Tips: Use a deep container (at least 12–18 inches/30–45 cm) Choose long, rectangular planters for multiple plants Season...

🌿 Purple Plant Power: What Gives Plants Their Purple Hue?

  The purple color in plants is primarily due to anthocyanins, a group of water-soluble pigments belonging to the flavonoid family. These pigments range in color from red to blue, depending on the pH level within the plant tissue. Anthocyanins serve several roles: Attract pollinators Protect against UV radiation Act as natural antioxidants 🥗 Nutritional Advantages of Purple Plants Purple vegetables are not just eye-catching—they’re health-boosting: High in antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins It may help reduce inflammation Support heart and brain health It may help lower the risk of some cancers Promote better vision and skin health 🍆 Fruits & Vegetables with Purple Varieties Many everyday produce items have purple counterparts. Here's a list, along with notes on whether they are natural, selectively bred, or hybridized. Other vegetables-- some not common in North America-- are listed below the types we are more familiar with: 1. 🍅 Tomatoes Purple Variety: Indigo Rose, ...

💥👑Canadian Women Named Victoria👑💥

  As Canadians prepare to celebrate Victoria Day this weekend, it's a perfect time to reflect not only on the monarch who inspired the holiday, but also on the Canadian women who share her name and have left a lasting impact on our nation. 🌺 What Is Victoria Day? Victoria Day is a Canadian statutory holiday celebrated on the Monday preceding May 25 each year. In 2025, it falls on Monday, May 19. It originally honored Queen Victoria, the monarch of the United Kingdom from 1837 to 1901, under whose reign Canada became a self-governing dominion within the British Empire in 1867. Victoria Day marks the unofficial start of summer in Canada, with fireworks, parades, and garden planting traditions. 🌎 Where Is Victoria Day Celebrated? Canada – the only country where it is a statutory holiday Some parts of Scotland observe it informally Other Commonwealth countries such as Australia and New Zealand may recognize Queen Victoria's legacy, but do not celebrate Victoria Day. 👑 Is King Ch...