We know the recession is hitting everyone. Whether you’re trying to trick your creditors into thinking you’re dead or checking out the best places to dumpster dive, you’re looking for a good deal. We’re here to help. We challenged our cadre of columnists to find and submit the best thing they ever bought for a dollar. They scoured their homes, garages and marital beds for the most creative and funniest dollar deals. Check out their great finds. Some are good. Some are bad. Some are ugly. (I’m looking at you, Tom Jones.) Login using Facebook connect and vote on your favorite. For all their hard work, the winning writer will win $50.

Update: Evan Hoovler one the cost and his wife.

Tony DiGerolamo – Handtruck
“This handtruck is the most useful thing I own. My sister-in-law sold it to me for a buck after she heard me complaining about the handtrucks I had bought in the past had all broke. (I insisted she take at least a dollar for it.) I have stacked four boxes of comics on this thing, dragged it up and down steps, over curbs and loading docks and still it has outlasted all the “back up handtrucks” I purchased and at least three sets of bungee cord. I defy you to destroy it.”

Bill Doty – Painting Of Tom Jones
“The best thing I’ve ever bought for a dollar (sounds like I am giving a school book report) was this painting of Tom Jones. I found it in a thrift store in Utah while looking for 80’s clothing this summer. It was $5 but I managed to bargain them down due to the other items I was purchasing. I gave it to my brother as a late birthday gift… which I believe gave him some wet eyes, and more love for me.”

Evan Hoovler – A Date
“The best thing I ever bought for one dollar was a date. My friends and I were out drinking and we stumbled upon a “Speed Dating” event. For $1 we could sit down on a four minute date. I paid the dollar, sat down, and the lady across from me said, “Hi, I’m 29, do you got a problem with that?” I was 28, so I replied, “Hell yes I have a problem! A big one. My bingo caller warned me about the number 29!” I then ripped off her nametag, stepped on it, and walked out the door. She followed, laughing hysterically. We were married last July.”

Amanda Meadows – Comic Book Geek Motivational Posters
“At a 99 Cents Only Store, one finds many lame motivational posters, but never again did I see these hilarious “comic book geek motivational posters”! They had everything X-Men to Captain America. Even my mom bought two (2) exact same Storm posters! I bought a Wolverine poster for my boyfriend. it rests over his desk, always reminding him to “persevere.” SNIKT! Best dollar items I ever bought.”

Joy Gohring – Kego-To-Pus
“I bought a Keg-to-pus!! Which doesn’t seem very sanitary…and which is ALSO why I probably got it for a dollar. We cleaned the tubes with scorching hot water, then, like classy adults, filled our bellies with delicious ice cold beery-beer. Who says you can’t get drunk on a dollar? Thank you Home Depot – a funnel and plastic tubing – thank you
for inspiring my neighbors to be alcoholics! Sincerely, Joy.”

Brendan Bergen – Penis Shaped Cookie Cutter
“This is a giant cookie cutter I found for sale at the $.99 store by my house. It’s obviously for making penis shaped cookies. I was too shy to get it at the time, but I’ve regretted not buying it ever since, especially on days when I get the urge to eat a cookie shaped like a dong.”

Sam Greenspan – The Finger Blaster
“I have a whole list of things I bought for a dollar. My favorite of those would be #11, the finger blaster. Because it’s the only time in my life that a good finger blast has only cost 99 cents.”

Vote for your favorite below. Just login below using Facebook connect and leave a comment with your vote.