Horrible Halloween bargains at the dollar store

Most families are gearing up for Halloween and dollar stores are great places to shop for masks and other accessories like plastic pirate swords and eye patches. 99 cent Only Stores have different varieties of Tootsie Roll or Charms blow pops candy for 99. cents each to help fill treat bags.

On the everyday side, buy an 11.5 oz. size Welch's juice drink for 99. cents or Dole bag salads in 12oz. or 1 lb. sizes, depending on the type of salad you chose. 99 Cent Only Stores are also featuring dinnerware in a brown swirl pattern for 99. cents for each plate, bowl or mug.

Dollar Tree is selling Soft Soap hand soap in a 7 1/2 oz. pump bottle , Silkience Shampoo, Campbell's 16oz. soups, Duncan Hines Baking mixes for either brownies or cookies and Scotties tissues for $1 each. Along with the customary costumes and candy, you can also dress your small pooch or kitty for Halloween if, that is, they're the type who'll sit still for it!

The big news at Dollar General is its million dollar sweepstakes. When you buy qualifying products at Dollar General, you simply log in atand enter the Dollar General receipt code. There's also a no-purchase-necessary free entry or free mail-in entry, available on request at any Dollar General. There are other prizes to be won, including 26"TVs, $50 Dollar General Gift Cards, two $10,000 cash prizes and three carat diamond tennis bracelets. Get all of the details here. Evidently, you can enter as many as 200 times.

Marlene Alexander is a freelance writer and dollar store diva. She writes tips for decorating using only items from the dollar store.