The name says it all. At "Hot Bargain" (which usually takes about 9 or 10 of your hot dollars to…read morefind something good) you can get a number of great items at bargain prices. I know there are a bunch of dollar stores around selling all kinds of goods from overseas for cheap, but this place is my local one and always has something that I might need (a U.S. electrical converter, Australia souvenirs or hangers). Usually it's just random items that I might want to save a couple of dollars on, but it's fun to go in and see what they have in stock (since they are right by the news agency that I go to anyways). I've found electrical extension cords and multiple plug outlets to a pair of cotton gloves and a pack of black socks for my fiancé (he didn't do laundry and just needed some right away). Everything I've bought there works just fine and I get that it's not Myer or Harvey Norman, but who cares...it's Hot Bargain!

Red Dollar is another one of those bargain shops that sells everything from Toothbrushes to picture…read moreframes. They are ridiculously cheap and constantly have new stock. They are also seasonal and support every single holiday that comes around. I go in and buy superglue ($2 for five tubes), baskets, gift wrapping and cards - they are cheaper than the supermarket and newsagents. Sometimes I just go in and look. It is surprising how much stuff they can fit in the shop, there's not much room to move. Starting as a single shop front, they soon took over the shop next door and doubled their size. I'm waiting to see what they do next. Excellent value and lots of fun.

This is the shop I love, as a crafter I can mostly find what i want as accessories for my craft…read more They also sell very good quality paint and accessories from Montmartre brand which is at a very accessible price I also discover a lot of new products every Saturday because they have a big turnover of products with a big varieties and novelties all the time. May be sometimes , it is hard to move around ,because of the products coming constantly in the shop ,but I manage to go around the shop. The manageress is a very nice and friendly lady and will always try to find what I want if not available in the shop.

Tony and Cherie have stuffed this place with so much stuff that you are left to root around on your…read moreown. It's fantastic, a shopaholics delight! From lace tablecloths to picture frames, little nic nacs to cushion covers, you have to spend time looking around, it can't be done if five minutes. They sell a range of good brands: Disney Traditions, Coots, Biddys etc etc. Have a look at their Leaning Tower of Pisa pot and cups or their Eiffel Tower. They have both large and small items, just getting to them is the problem. Lots of fun.

In Winston Hills Mall this is convenient for me. Not a mega bargain bazaar, but I can usual get…read morewhat I'm after. When I wanted big wooden initials for party guests, they had them. When I wanted paints to revamp a canvas, found them here. Gift bags, wrapping paper, mirrored table accessories, here they are. They also do party balloons. Aisles of the other usual stuff too: kitchenware, pet toys ...... you know the drill.

There is something for everyone here. Prices are very reasonable and the items range from hair…read moreproducts,kitchen utensils, CDs, craft materials, car products and a large variety of snack foods. This is the place to buy the popcorn, chips and lollies before heading upstairs to the movies. The prices would be a third of the price than the Candy Store. You could even buy a 2litre bottle of coke and plastic cups...still save an incredible amount when taking the family out. My suggestion would be to tie in the visit to this store on a Tuesday then go to the movies. Cheap day/ night at the movies on Tuesday. The sales assistants are helpful and busy. This is a popular store with a good turnover. Parking is very good in the Top Ryde Shopping Centre. Just remember it is 3 hours free parking. No parking fee for after 6 pm.

Carlingford Shopping Centre. It has everything you need, is clean and tidy, has lots of restaurants…read moreand cafes, and has plenty of parking. I love this shopping centre.

Carlingford Court (Carlo to the locals) is the ol' faithful of the shopping centre world. Nothing…read morechanges much here from year to year which gives you that comforting feeling of constancy that is hard to find in this ever changing world. Carlo is the place you come for stuff you need not stuff you want - groceries, bread, party supplies, keys cut, contact lenses. It has everything you need to run your errands in one place. The shop owners are all pretty nice. Avoid lunchtime any day and right after work. Not just because these are the busy times and you'll find getting a park difficult but also because this is hungry time and the healthiest thing you'll find here is Oporto. On a side note, a large number of commission houses has opened around Carlo in the last 10 years. This has changed the clientele significantly but does make for good people-watching.

Eastwood really is an area of its own - if you're a native English speaker, you'll definitely feel…read morelike an outsider in this culturally diverse hub in Sydney. The Asian influence in all the small shops and stalls is very clear except when it comes to this shopping centre. For some reason Eastwood shopping centre has managed to be a very generic shopping centre with the usual Amcal Pharmacy. Millers Fashion Club and Woolworths - I wish this little space reflected more of its surrounding Asian culture - like I would love to walk through this centre and see upside down peking ducks hanging sadly in the windows or stores signs in languages I can't understand.Now thats a shopping Centre I would visit... as for this one... it's ok... but not a "must visit"

Home Depot isn't a hardware store like it is in the USA, rather it's a kitchenware store which has…read moreeverything any cook would ever need. They have beautiful saucepans, rolling pins, baking pans and gadgets I have never heard of but I am sure are really useful. It is truly an Aladdin's cave. The have Jamie Oliver, Cusinart, Scanpan, Mondial Knives, I could go and on. Service is a bit so so but who cares, it's mainly self service anyway. Pure heaven!