The Dollar Store is a great place to shop for bargains, but it’s important to know what you’re looking for. However, when you do find a deal, it can be at a price that’s much better than at other stores. There are so many products available at the Dollar Store, how can you now which ones are actually worth it? Here are the products you should go for and also the ways you should buy somewhere else.
Coffee Filters – Buy
There’s nothing more important than your morning coffee, we know. So why spend extra money on the same exact coffee filters when you can get it at the Dollar Store for so much less? You’ll be throwing it out anyway, so you might as well pay less.
Hair Accessories – Buy
Hair accessories always have a way of seeming to disappear, even days after getting them. This phenomenon gets even worse when you bring kids into the equation. So what’s the solution? Get them at the Dollar Store, where they’re just $1, so you won’t feel so bad if they get broken or lost immediately.
Plastic Buckets – Buy
It’s always useful to have storage buckets and bins around. They can come in handy when you need to store random items, organizing your fridge, washing your car, or want something to hold drinks during a barbecue. You might as well stock up on a whole bunch of these at the Dollar Store.
Dish Towels And Washcloths – Buy
Dish towels usually tend to get so dirty and gross that they have to be replaced pretty frequently. This is why it’s not such a great idea to spend so much money on them, since you’ll be inevitably replacing them. There’s a wonderful selection at the Dollar Store that will go with any kitchen’s style.
Greeting Cards – Buy
A lot of people don’t send greeting cards anymore, which is sad because they are so lovely to receive. However, it can be hard to justify paying between $3-$5 or more for a card. That’s why it’s better to stock up on them at the Dollar Store, where they have a huge selection of cards for way less money.
Picture Frames – Buy
Adding photos into your home is one of the best ways to make you truly feel you’re in your own space. One thing that holds people back is the fact that frames can be very expensive. There’s no reason to spend so much on frames when you can get them at the Dollar Store, where they are much more affordable.
Socks – Buy
We’ve all experienced looking for that second sock, only to realize that it simply is nowhere to be found. It seems like you always have to keep buying more socks, so no need to spend a lot of money on them. Get your supply at the Dollar Store, that way you won’t feel bad when they go missing and you won’t have to worry about running out.
Party Supplies – Buy
There’s a lot to worry about when it comes to planning a party, especially when you are trying to decorate while on a budget. These things can really add up quickly, so you should definitely get your party supplies at the Dollar Store, which has an excellent selection of party decor at a fraction of the price of other stores.
Pregnancy Tests – Buy
This one might surprise you, but getting a pregnancy test at the Dollar Store is actually a good idea. These can cost around $15 at a pharmacy, while the ones at the Dollar Store cost one dollar and are just as reliable. There’s no need to spend 15 times the amount for the same exact test.
Vase And Decorative Bowls – Buy
Decorative bowls and glass vases are always a great design choice since they’re so versatile and can look elegant without costing a fortune. The Dollar Store has an impressive selection of glass bowls and vases you can choose from in order to spruce up your home.
Plastic Food Containers – Buy
Plastic food containers are seriously some of the most important items to have in the home, but they can get pretty expensive. This becomes really annoying when it seems impossible to find the matching tops in the mess of the drawer. You can get a whole pack for just $1 at the Dollar Store, so if you ever need replacements, you can easily get them here.
Chocolate And Candy – Buy
If you’ve got a sweet tooth or you’re preparing for Halloween trick or treaters, then you absolutely need to head to the Dollar Store, where you can get name brand candy for a fraction of the price of other stores. It’s a no brainer since you’re buying literally the same exact candy, so why spend more?
Notebooks – Buy
This is another case where you could spend $5 or even more on notebooks, while you could get the same exact thing at the Dollar Store, where there’s a great selection of colors and patterns to choose from. They only cost $1 there, and since most notebooks end up getting thrown out anyway, this is a no brainer.
Storage Containers – Buy
Storage bins and containers are some of the best items you can buy at the Dollar Store, since they are seriously some of the most useful things you can have around the house. These will save you when you’re trying to get things organized in your home and even your office. Don’t spend a fortune on these when you can get them for cheap at the Dollar Store.
Mugs And Glasses – Buy
Buying glasses and mugs is a good idea when you’re at the Dollar Store, since they have quite a great selection to choose from. You’ll sometimes find the same exact ones you’d find at other stores, but for way less. You can also choose the exact amount of glasses you want to buy instead of having to buy fixed amounts in a boxed set at other stores.
Seasonal Decor – Buy
Since seasonal decor is only used for part of the year, there is no need to spend a fortune on it. The Dollar Stone is known for having one of the best selections of holiday decor year round, so head there when you want to get in the festive spirit without hurting your bank account.
Dishware – Buy
Getting dishware is a great choice here, especially if you’re moving into a college apartment or moving into an apartment with roommates and you don’t want to spend a lot of money on these sets. There’s a wonderful selection of high quality bowls, plates, mugs, and more that all match.
Tote Bags – Buy
Using tote bags is not only great for the environment, now that many stores are starting to charge for plastic or paper bags, it’s also a great way to save money. You can get beautiful reusable tote bags at the Dollar Store, where there’s a wide selection of colors and patterns to choose from.
Reading Glasses – Buy
Anyone who needs a simple pair of reading glasses will know how easy it is to misplace them. You can get an affordable pair at the Dollar Store, that way if you lose it or break them, you won’t feel bad, and you’ll also be able to replace them very easily. The Dollar Store has a great selection of basic reader glasses.
Wrapping Paper, Gift Bags, Boxes – Buy
There’s something about a gift that comes in wrapping paper, bows, and a gift bag that makes it feel so much more special. However, it’s really a shame to spend a large amount on these when they will literally just end up getting thrown out, so stock up at the Dollar Store instead.
Deodorant – Avoid
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with the deodorant that is sold at the Dollar Store, but you just need to be careful about the sizing and pricing. The sticks that are sold there are usually smaller than the ones at other stores, and so even though they’re just $1, they are many times not saving you any money.
Toys – Avoid
You might think that stocking up on these affordable toys at the Dollar Store is a great deal, you do have to be careful. A lot of these toys are pretty flimsy and may not last long, so they are not such a great deal in the end.
Tools – Avoid
Of course, if you desperately need to some tools and the Dollar Store is nearby, by all means go for it. These will work okay, but if you’re trying to buy a set of tools to have around the house for good, you’re better off investing in better quality ones that are more expensive once and keep them for years.
Batteries – Avoid
Although it’s true that batteries at the Dollar Store are quite inexpensive, that does sometimes mean they are not such great quality. They will sometimes break and won’t last as long, so it’s usually better to just go with name brand batteries.
Knives – Avoid
The knives at the Dollar Store are good to keep around for camping and outdoor trips, but if you want to buy kitchen knives, you should definitely opt for the high quality ones that will last you forever, even if they are more costly up front.
Earbuds or Headphones – Avoid
We know, it seems crazy to spend hundreds of dollars on headphones. If you’re looking for a less expensive option, it’s usually better to pay for the $10-$20 variety as opposed to the $1 ones, which will really sound bad and likely won’t last you a very long time.
USB Chargers – Avoid
The USB chargers available at the Dollar Store are a good choice when it comes to a last minute emergency buy, but these won’t usually last long. It’s a good idea to get better quality ones, which will last longer and will charge your devices safely without sacrificing on quality.
HDMI Cables – Avoid
While we know that a lot of stores charge a lot of money for HDMI cables, the ones at the Dollar Store are not the best quality. You’re better off finding an alternative option that is somewhere in between, price wise, and will last longer than the Dollar Stone ones.
Plastic Cooking Utensils – Avoid
It is actually a good idea to stay away from plastic cooking utensils from anywhere, not just the Dollar Store. Using plastic cookware is dangerous, since it can melt and end up in your food. Always get stainless steel utensils instead.
School Supplies – Buy
The Dollar Store has a seriously impressive school supply selection to choose from. While they’re not the best quality available, they are still good enough, and let’s face it, kids usually lose most of their pens and pencils before the school year is even halfway done, so it’s better not to spend a lot of money on these anyway.
Double-Sided Tape – Buy
Double-sided tape at a regular store can cost up to $12, so there’s really no reason not to get it at the Dollar Store, where the same exact thing costs just $1. Of course, the name brand might be a bit longer, this is still a great alternative option considering the difference in the price.
Cotton Swabs – Buy
You really don’t need to be buying name brand cotton swabs. The Dollar Store ones will do just fine, and the box at CVS will cost you three times the amount. It really doesn’t make sense to buy them anywhere but the Dollar Store.
Cotton swabs are one of those items that you really do not need to invest in name brand for. At CVS, a box of cotton swabs will set you back $3, while at the Dollar Store, you can buy the same thing for a third of the price. It just makes sense to get it at the Dollar Store!
Paper Clips – Buy
Getting a box of paper clips at Office Depot will cost you $2.49, while a box of 100 vinyl-coated paper clips at the Dollar Store is just one dollar. So you tell us, which one is the better deal?
Clay Flower Pots – Buy
Getting into gardening is a wonderful hobby that yields amazing results. There’s really nothing like growing your own vegetables, herbs, and flowers in your home. Clay flower pots can get quite pricey, and if you have multiple plants, this can really add up. Stock up on these pots at the Dollar Store, where they can be a sliver of the price.
Holiday Food Decorations – Buy
Holiday food decor is another way to get into a festive spirit. Who doesn’t love cupcakes with fun holiday sprinkles on them? You can get these at the Dollar Store, where there’s a massive selection and is a lot less expensive than the ones sold at other stores. This is especially useful when you want to save money around the holiday season.
Adding some fun and festive sprinkles, candy canes, frosting, and more is a great way to add a fun flair to your holiday cooking and desserts. However, some retailers take advantage of the fact that people are willing to spend during holiday times. At the Dollar Store, there’s a great selection of holiday themed food decor that won’t set you back so much.
Mailing Labels – Buy
Did you know that you can get personalized return labels at the Dollar Store? These are so fun, especially to get these custom mailing labels during the holiday season, when you’re probably sending more personalized mail than other times of the year. These are way less expensive to get here than at the post office.
Shaving Cream – Buy
Shaving cream is not an item that must be brand name, and the kind you get at the Dollar Store is just as good and will cost you $1 as opposed to $3 or more at another store like CVS. You can get the same thing, even under a different brand name, for way less at the Dollar Store.
Advil – Buy
Buy over the counter medication like Advil can cost you a lot less from the Dollar Store, where you can actually buy three two-packs of Advil for just one dollar. Why spend more on the same exact product?
Balloons – Buy
Balloons are a wonderful item to add to celebrate during happy occasions, but they often end up in the garbage just hours after being used. That’s why it’s such a shame to spend so much money on them when you don’t have to. Get them at the Dollar Store for way less.
Band-Aids – Buy
It is always a good idea to have Band-aids around the house in case of an emergency. However, you don’t really need to get the name brand ones that cost a whole lot more than the ones you can find at the Dollar Store, especially since these will all end up in the trash, or let’s face it, will fall off, nowhere to be found again.