Do you shop at the dollar store? I kind of have mixed feelings about it myself. Sometimes, you can get things for a steal, other times, I think they kind of bamboozle {do you remember that word from the show Friends?} you into thinking that it’s a good deal because it’s only a dollar. I typically do not buy food there at all. Party favors, art supplies, seasonal stuff, yes.
Here are a couple of quick and easy tips to save yourself a dollar {pun intended} next time you are at the dollar store:
- If you are going to buy food, check the labels. A lot of times, those off brands will skimp on ingredients to drive down the price. Decide if it is worth it to you to consume potentially cheaper ingredients {read: partially hydrogenated oils} to save what might amount to pennies. Make sure to check expiration dates while you are at it.
- Shop with a list. It’s so easy to throw something you otherwise would not have purchased because “it’s only a dollar.” If you went in to get wrapping paper, put your blinders on, get the wrapping paper, and get out.
- Greeting cards. While the selection might not be stellar, greeting cards in the mainstream stores are pricey. For kid’s birthday parties, etc. the dollar store is where it’s at. Stock up on a few so that you don’t have to go in very often.
- Seasonal items. The dollar store has pretty unique holiday decor and seasonal items. It can be a great place to put together fillers for holiday presents, etc. It’s also a great way to decorate for school functions, etc. on a budget.
- Stack dollar store savings with coupons. Quite a few dollar stores are now accepting coupons, ask the manager. If you get lucky and find name brand items {think: toothpaste and soap} it could add up to pretty substantial savings.
- Cleaning supplies. If you don’t make your own, the dollar store can equal pretty good savings. Sure, you’ll get off brands, but the ingredients usually are the same.
- Common cooking spices. If bulk is not an option for you, stocking up on basic cooking spices at the dollar store offers pretty good savings.
- Socks. Weird, I know, but actually, they have a pretty good selection and they hold up just as well as department store socks, in my opinion.
- Open stock glasses. If you are having people over or just want to add a little variety to your glassware–the dollar store is a great place to do it. They usually have some pretty fun glassware and for a buck, you won’t be sad if they get broken.
- Flower pots. Every year, my dollar store typically has smaller clay flower pots. They make AWESOME herb gardens {think: teacher’s gifts} and won’t set you back.
How about you, how do YOU save money at the dollar stores?
~Mavis
SHARE:
Heather says
I like to get chicken broth, it is MSG free which I need, and a 32 oz box is great for a dollar! Also, zip lock bags, aluminum foil, hair mousse, cheap shampoo and conditioner!
Karen at A Glimpse Into My Reveries says
Watch out for the hair mousse! Ours isn’t carrying White Rain anymore, it only has….oops can’t find the picture I took of it. It’s in a black can with green writing. Smelled something terrible, very chemical, when I sprayed some into my hands! Looked on the label…it lists BUTAINE as an ingredient! Lighter fluid in a hair product! How is that even legal?
Mavis says
What? That’s crazy!!
Bible Babe says
I buy things to fill out Christmas swap gifts–books, pens, candles, etc. I also have found great books for my own collection that were over $20 at a regular store. You have to look, but the bargains are there. Just be sure its what you WANT, because they only to exchanges, not refunds.
Lisa says
Bags of dental flossers. They run between $2 – $4 everywhere else, so at $1, it is a bargain. I also tend to buy a bag (or 2 or 3 or 4…) of Bit of Honey. Bit of Honey and Flossers. Good combo there.
Barbara says
A lot of their food comes from China, I’ve read, and that’s how pet food got poisoned with melamine, which killed a lot of pets. I never, ever buy food there. Spices? No, I won’t compromise. There is a huge difference between say, bulk or dollar store, or even McCormick’s and Penzeys incredible Vietnamese cinnamon. Huge. You hardly even need sugar to make cinnamon toast, because it is so incredibly delicious. Some things just can’t be found better. Glass dishes, on the other hand, or candle sticks for emergency use or elevating a clear vase into a hurricane lamp – can’t be beat. Perfect for glass etching projects for gifts, too! I make all my own cleaning supplies cheaper than they sell them, and I know what goes in them. Laundry soap, too, that is far better than detergents.
kathleen says
I love their ceylon cinnamon! Your comment makes me curious about the Vietnamese cinnamon though.
Michelle says
The onion soup mix doesn’t have partially hydrogenated oil like some of the store brands. It is about the only food item I buy there.
The Smallest Acre says
Oh we love the dollar store! The little one had an art party so we made out like bandits for art supplies and party favors. We buy some soaps, dog toys, antibacterial wipes, scented candles, garden supplies, occasional dishes, and mylar balloons.
Eddie C. Jordan says
When I need sandwich bags or storage bags the dollar store is the place to shop. I like to buy my spices there and talk about candy bars. I drink a lot of hot tea, they have a great supply at the dollar store.
Lisa says
I like their kitchen trash bags, vanilla scented. They are quite thick. I also get the pink, thin, small trash bags for my twice daily cat box duties!
My Dollar Tree has tons of cards, and at 50 cents each I got different Christmas cards for everyone on my list!
I never, ever buy pet supplies there, especially dog treats or toys.
I like their bleach spray cleaner, but every time the spray part breaks. I still buy it though. And they always have Comet brand cleaner. and Reynolds brand foil.
We break a lot of dishes, so ours are from the Dollar Tree! So are our glasses and plastic cups.
H.P. says
I work mornings as a nanny for a family with a toddler. It’s the perfect place to pick up fun things for him to do – coloring books, stickers, etc. A coloring book that might be $3.99 at Fred Meyer or Safeway is only a buck! Also, instead of valentines cards, his older brother got a helium balloon for each of his classmates. It was $26 and they last much longer than a card. The kids *LOVED* them.
Missy Homemaker says
I bought our entire last set of dishes (Royal Norfolk brand) from the dollar store. First, there’s a reason they’re a dollar: some may have a tiny spot of discoloration or the glaze may be uneven. No matter here! After my boys broke my entire set of Pfaltzgraff in a freak drying rack accident, I don’t really care what they look like. I purchased 8 plates, 8 soup bowls and 8 heavy Libby glasses. No unused coffee/tea mugs or salad/dessert plates.
These plates are heavy and have stood up to my kids and a 250 mile move with only a few chips. I’m not so sure if I’ll ever purchase a whole ‘set’ of dishes again.
Rachel says
I love buying foil pans there for dinners I take to people. They’re only a buck, as opposed to $4-5 at the other stores and you usually get 3 in a pack. No worries about having to track down my good containers later on!
nancy jo says
all this talk makes me want to go shopping
Lisa (must be the name of the day) says
Graduation cards, too…cheap and funny!!!
Julie Ann says
I buy Oxygen-type cleaner there – I always grab one when I stop in so I have a fair hoard when it’s time to make detergent again 🙂
I also make the following things a staple (and know I’m saving money!):
~13-gal kitchen trash bags
~29-gal yard bags
~freezer and storage quart & gallon zip bags
~Renyold’s pre-cut foil packs – perfect cut in half for baked potatoes!
~Stick flossers
~Toothpaste – name brand can’t be beat!
~toothbrushes – I’m finally able to remember to change them more frequently when I can get a 2-pack for $1
~32-oz soft boxes of chicken & beef broth
~really nice spray bottles (for homemade cleaners)
~decent bath soap
~large bottles of non-antibacterial hand soap (that I thin and add to my foaming pumps @ home – I get at least three refills from a $1 bottle!)
~non-GMO & Gluten-free sweet potato chips and veggie chips/stick snacks! YUM!
~frozen vegetables & fruits (like blueberries and peaches!)
~polishing microfiber towels for Hubby’s 4-wheeled “baby”
~hairclips and brushes (my kids lose these like crazy!)
~Pretty pens and click pencils 🙂
Yep. I love the $$$ store!
Judy Johnson says
Even some of the frozen food comes from China. I never purchase food at Dollar Tree without checking the label for where it’s made. We are lucky in Southern California to have the 99 Cent Only chain. I often by name brand foods there such as yogurt and other dairy products, Campbell’s soups, Sara Lee breads, cold cereals and granola bars. I avoid off brands because of quality issues, but as others have noted, soaps, storage products and some paper goods are always a good deal. There is almost always something that is a really great deal in the name brand food department, plus they carry fresh produce in brands identical to those in the supermarkets. All that said, canned fruit, jams, pickles and frozen foods are often sourced in China, Indonesia or Turkey…caveat emptor!
Anne says
Dollar Tree has my two favorite brand-name candies in dollar-size bags: Russell Stover chocolate covered caramels and Werther’s Chewy Caramels. So I stock up when I go – along with laundry detergent, cat toys, hand soap to refill my foaming pumps (same as Julie Ann), dish towels, dishcloths, and oven mitts for my workplace, plastic water bottles, and Betty Crocker brand plastic food storage. Also big boxes of pasta and spices. I love Dollar Tree! I make it a practice to do a careful survey of the store once every month or two, just so I know what they have and can keep their wares in mind when shopping elsewhere.
Brooke says
Come school time, it’s a great place to get water bottles and really nice locking sandwich containers to reuse in the kids’ lunches. We also get lots of craft supplies for the little one’s projects here. Currently, I’m making a mosaic and the brightly colored plates from here are fabulous for breaking. Our puppy loves the dog toys: they have these little fuzzy things with head and long tails that she goes nuts for.
Sandra says
Items that I like to buy include the cards mentioned above, plus make-up, clear mouthwash that I keep in a crystal decanter on my bathroom counter, tissue paper and gift bags, batteries, hand cream, storage containers for leftover meals, and seasonal items.