I love the dollar store.
Not Dollar General or any other faker store, the real, everything costs $1 or under store, like Dollar Tree or the 99 Cent Store. But, can you really find great bargains? Yes!!! Let me preface this by telling you not everything at the dollar store is a great deal. While there are a lot of things we buy there often, there are others we will never buy there. Now that you can use manufacturers’ coupons at Dollar Tree, it’s like a whole new world. Today I’ll give you the top ten things we love to buy at the dollar store, and a few that we don’t. This post is dedicated to my late mother-in-law, Carrie, whose love for the dollar store was passionate and true.
Top Ten Deals at the Dollar Store:
1) Cleaning Supplies
They have it all, including lots of name brands. Don’t pay full price for stuff to clean your toilet bowl.
2) Kids’ Books & Coloring Books
They have tons, in English and Spanish. I already have a bunch picked out for stocking stuffers.
3) Food
They have our favorite Nature’s Own Double Fiber bread for 1/3 the price of the grocery store 1 block away. We find name brand canned goods all the time. The freezer section is often overlooked, but they have a great selection of sweet treats and frozen vegetables.
4) Craft Supplies
From grosgrain ribbon to wreath forms, they have tons of craft supplies. I just bought mini pumpkins to add to my fall wreath.
5) Holiday Decorations
Easter eggs, Halloween costumes, Christmas garlands, Fourth of July banners, they have a huge selection for every holiday. I just bought 4 ceramic pumpkins to spray paint for my fall mantle.
6)Party Supplies
The best deal of all used to be their mylar helium balloons, but there is apparently a helium shortage and our store has been out for months. You can find wrapping paper and bows, gift bags, balloons, candles, all of it. I buy brown packing paper and use it for every gift.
7) Kitchen Supplies
Paper plates, napkins, and cups, as well as glass, plastic, and ceramic ware can all be found in the kitchen section. Pie plates and random utensils are often a great deal as well.
8)Home Decor
I buy candles and picture frames all the time. There are tons of items with potential if you get a little creative.
9) Pregnancy Tests
Instead of $9-$20 at CVS, try $1 for 2 tests.
10) Candy
Our dollar store has a big selection of movie theater big box candy, and it makes a great treat.
Top Five Things I Would Never Buy at the Dollar Store:
1) Electronics
2) Batteries
3) Medicine
4) Clothing
5) Anything I want to last for a long time.
Basically, you pay for what you get. While the dollar store has tons of great deals, a lot of the stuff is not high quality or regulated for content. Quality doesn’t matter as much for party supplies and seasonal decorations, but does matter for your vitamins, your baby’s onesies, and your electronics.
Here’s a
great article from Forbes that breaks down everything you should and shouldn’t buy at the Dollar Store. Thanks to our friend T.J. for sending it my way.
Do you shop at the dollar store? What’s the best deal you’ve ever found there?
