The $1.50 Dollar Tree Find So Good I Bought 6 (They Help Me Stay Organized)

Sometimes I feel so busy and overwhelmed that I cut corners. I write a lot about getting great deals and saving money, but the (embarrassing) truth is that when I can't find a specific ingredient in my pantry or cupboards in about 30 seconds, I add it to the grocery list and buy it again.

This is particularly problematic with spices, which is why I currently own a couple of bags of ground cumin, garlic powder, cinnamon sticks, dried chili flakes, and chili powder. I'm not entirely disorganized; I decant my spices into glass containers with lids, then put the remaining spices into a basket for later. There are so many quarter-filled spice packets and jars in that basket now that when I'm looking for something, it's hard to find it.

I had been thinking about how to deal with this for a while when I came across Sure Fresh Plastic Snack Containers at Dollar Tree. They come in a four-pack for $1.50, have snap-on lids, and are the perfect size for those odds and ends I'm always trying to find a place for.

Why I Love Dollar Tree's Plastic Snack Containers

The four-pack containers are what I call the Goldilocks size—just right. Each container holds about 3 1/2 fluid ounces, which is an excellent size for corralling all the leftover spices that have never had a proper home. When I pour my spices into them, I print out a label for the top and front of the container so I can quickly see what's what.

I've also started dividing them into three baskets to keep them in (somewhat) alphabetical order. For example, one basket holds herbs and spices that start with letters A to G, the second holds spices that start with the letters H to O, and the final basket holds spices that start with the letters P to Z. It's not perfect because they're not really in alphabetical order all the time. But at least now I know where to look when I'm running low!

The lids are flat, and the containers are rectangular, so they could theoretically nest together in the baskets to form neat, satisfying towers. Even though they have labels, I love that they're clear, and I can see what's inside. The lids snap on securely, and although they're not airtight enough for long-term storage, they're great for keeping dry ingredients contained and visible.

Four containers with lids for $1.50, the price couldn't be beat! I picked up six packs for less than $10 to organize that little section of my pantry.

They're also great for other kitchen odds and ends like the last bit of shredded coconut, chocolate chips that didn't make it into the chocolate chip cookies, homemade spice blends that don't have a designated spot in my spice drawer, and the leftover toasted nuts from a salad.

They'd also be great for meal prep tasks, like storing sliced green onions, leftover lemon and lime wedges, or washed and picked herbs that I'll use within a day or two. They work anywhere you need small-scale organization for things like craft supplies, paper clips in a desk drawer, storing earrings when travelling, and portioning out kids' snacks for lunchboxes or activities.

If you're anything like me, your pantry system isn't failing because of a lack of organizational commitment; it's more likely failing because of all the tiny, unmanageable things. These containers aren't fancy or likely to win any design awards, but they've single-handedly ended my habit of buying duplicate spices I already own. For that alone, they're worth the investment.

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