I consider myself a fairly responsible shopper. 
When ever possible I buy the store brand, if it is comparable to the name brand. 
I shop for produce at a market where the pricing is much less than at the super market.
I stock up on sale items that I use with regularity,things like tuna,mayonnaise,olives,etc.,
mostly canned goods which I know will have a shelf life.
I don't buy in bulk partially because of storage and partially because if I shop prudently I can normally find pricing that matches the warehouse pricing.
I  occasionally shop at the dollar store, however, you have to be careful because counts are often deceptive.
Take coffee filters for instance. 
A pack of filters in one dollar store has 50 filters. In another dollar store there are 100 in a pack. The super market has 200 filters for $1.29. 
You see?
 You have to be careful!
One item Susan has been buying at the dollar store is my bath soap.
For $1 you get a bottle of soapy goop in varying colors,scents and viscosity.
Over the years she has found dozens of different ones and they all do basically the same job.
About 3 months ago, I opened the latest bottle of bath gel that she had purchased and proceeded to put some on my wash cloth. 
Immediately I noticed a difference. 
It was thicker than anything else I had ever had .
Instead of some monochromatic ooze, this had a lustrous pearled sheen to it.
As I worked my wash cloth to lather it up,the pleasant scent wafted towards me ,so much so that I could hardly wait to apply it.
It was luxurious!
I mean it was a truly sensuous experience.
After my shower , I told Susan that this was the best bath gel she had ever found and we should stick to it. Every time she went to the dollar store she would try to find more.She saved the bottle when it was empty so that she could search all of the dollar stores she frequents.
 3 months and no luck.
Week after week, bottle after bottle, we have never been able to find this soap again at a dollar store. 
When I stepped into the shower earlier this week I was surprised to see a fresh bottle of the mystery potion.
I thanked Susan and asked her where she finally found it. 
She said she actually found it at the super market, however it was not $1.
I asked her how much it was and she replied "$3.49".
I have made the decision to become fiscally irresponsible and treat myself to this luxury when I need more.
I know you are probably saying "man you're crazy!" 
That's 3 1/2 times more than the dollar store goop.'
Well guess what?
I'm gonna do it any way! 
I think deserve it!