Ignore the "door crasher" sales in those weekly flyers and turn off those TV commercials advertising "Rollback" savings at Wal-Mart.
If you really want a high-tech bargain, look no farther than your local dollar store.
Okay, so you're not going to find a cheap MP3 player or affordable plasma TV, but an electronics enthusiast will be shocked at what they can find for $1.
And so yours truly began a high-tech hunt through the aisles of seven dollar stores in the Toronto area to find the best gadgets anyone can afford.
Before we dive into this top-10 list, keep in mind prices may vary slightly across the country. If they've made our list, then I picked them up for a single loonie and not a cent more. For example, we found cassette adapters for iPods for $1.50 and USB cords for $2, so they didn't make the cut.
While we didn't experience any problems, be cautious of no-name electronics that could potentially damage your computer or stereo system. For example, is that power bar really a surge protector as it promises? Hmm.
Separate your spare change from pocket lint and check out these deals (in no particular order):
1. iPhones (Electra)
These iPod-compatible stereo earbuds with XBS (extra bass system) sounded better than expected. Since they're only $1, why not pick up five pairs and keep extras in the glove compartment, at work, at home or at the cottage? Perfect for MP3 and CD players, portable DVD players, laptop computers and any other audio device that takes a standard 3.5-mm stereo plug, these all-white earbuds feature a 1.1-metre cord and optional black ear cushions - but they're missing the small "L" and "R" letters telling you which ears to put them in.
2. Kidz Remote (Kessel)
Rather than spend $24.95 for the similar Weemote, the Kidz Remote gives children their own device to watch pre-programmed, parent-approved TV stations and no others. The small and comfortable 10-button remote offers bug buttons with stickers of top network logos, and 15 blank ones for you to write your own. Available in pink, blue or purple, the durable remote has a rubberized grip and includes controls for power, volume and a large "surf" button to jump from station to station. Two AAA batteries are not included, but we found a four-pack of Panasonic Super Heavy Duty batteries for $1, too.
3. LED book light (Dollarama)
Considering I bought my wife a similar model from Indigo for $40 last year, the LED book light was a steal for a buck, as it does the exact same thing: use a bright LED (light-emitting diode) bulb to illuminate a book while reading in low-light or no-light conditions. This slender silver doohickey clamps onto a soft- or hardcover book and, with the push of a button along the side, slowly extends to its full height (with adjustable angles). The book light includes three AG13 watch batteries. Another product we found, an LED multi-task light (Dollarama) - also for $1 - can be clamped onto books, PDAs and laptop computers thanks to its twisty "snake" neck.
4. Intruder Alert (no-name brand)
Similar to those products shown on TV infomercials, this house alarm system consists of two parts: a sensor that can be stuck to a door, window, drawer or cabinet, and a smaller rectangular magnetic piece that can be stuck (or screwed) right beside the larger piece. When the two are separated - such as when a door is opened - a piercing 90-decibel alarm will sound. Alternatively, a more subtle chime can go off, notifying the homeowner that the door was opened (good for hearing if kids left the house). Best of all, it took two minutes to set up properly. Three AG13 watch batteries are included.
5. Clip-on computer microphone (Wellson)
Want to chat with friends and family around the world for free? You can jump on board the VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) bandwagon with free software like Windows Live Messenger, Skype or Yahoo! Messenger. All you need is an Internet-connected computer and a microphone. But rather than spending up to $50 for a mic at your big-box retailer, you can get one for just $1 at a dollar store. Clip it to your shirt or use double-sided tape to secure it to the side of your PC monitor, before plugging the 3.5-mm stereo mini-jack into your PC's microphone port.
6. FM radio (Dollarama)
Okay, so it's not an iPod, but those who want to listen to music or talk radio while commuting or at the gym can buy this small silver FM player with maroon buttons for a single loonie (earbuds included). The device lets you auto-scan the dial to find stereo FM stations between 88 and 108 MHz. Press the "reset" button to begin searching for stations from the bottom of the dial once again. A small knob can be rotated clockwise to turn on power and increase volume, and a handy button illuminates a bulb so you can use this gadget as a small flashlight. Two AA batteries not included.
7. Super Brick Game (no-name brand)
Your Nintendo-loving kids might roll their eyes at its crude monochrome graphics, but this "99 Games in One" hand-held gaming system gives a lot of bang for your buck. Versions of such popular games as Tetris and Space Invaders, as well as car-racing and tank-combat games, offers hours of fun - especially for younger children. Games offer MIDI music and sound effects, a scoring system, varying speeds, multiple volume levels and the ability to pause the action. Button information is in both English and French. Two AA batteries are required, but not included.
8. Hands-free earphone (Chateau)
Keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel with a hands-free earpiece and microphone for your cellphone. Chateau offers a number of options, depending on the cellphone manufacturer, but we picked up one for a handful of supported Nokia handsets. Surprisingly, the quality isn't half bad, and the device comes with a lengthy cable, a clip for a shirt or seat belt, and a fairly comfortable earbud with rubber coating. So if you're not using a Bluetooth wireless headset for your cellphone or BlackBerry just yet, this is an inexpensive option worth considering.
9. DVD-R (Verbatim)
If you need a recordable DVD in a pinch and don't want to spend $30 or more on a 100-disc spindle, 8x-speed DVD-Rs from Verbatim are just $1 a pop. They offer up to 4.7 gigabytes of data or two hours of recording for video, be it camcorder footage or footage from TV-based DVD recorders. Some recent PC magazine tests found Verbatim media offered better quality and reliability than other brand-name (and no-name) discs. Also included is a DVD jewel case - which alone costs more than $1 at many electronics stores!
10. Tilt-top calculator (Studio)
We all know too well how expensive it is to be a student these days. So while you're at the dollar store picking up paper and pens, be sure to visit the electronics aisle to snag a calculator, too. We liked the solar-powered Tilt Top Calculator from Studio, with an easy-to-read and adjustable eight-digit display (which can be propped up for a better view), large buttons, auto power-off feature and handy palm rest for those late-night cram sessions. Scientific calculators were also offered at the dollar stores we visited.