The playground is to children as the dollar store is to adults. It is amazing to think that you can go to a place that offers huge discounts on anything you can think of. In reality, not every single thing you can get there is a bargain. Sometimes, it is worth prioritizing quality instead of saving a few bucks. Of course, this is not to say that you should avoid these places altogether. We all want to get the most out of our money, so it is a good idea to know which products to buy and avoid!
Coffee Filters
Do you love brewed coffee as much as we do? Anyone who answered in the affirmative will understand the pain of running out of coffee filters. You can keep your office or home pantry stocked at all times by getting them from the dollar store! It is not any different from the ones you can get at a regular store.
Coffee Filters
Hair Accessories
If you want to have the perfect hairdo, it is important to have the necessary comb, brush, pin, and headband on hand. Trends easily come and go, so why should you bother spending more on them?
Hair Accessories
Plastic Buckets
Did you know that plastic buckets are handy? Among others, they are good when you need to wash your vehicle, clean your place, and carry things. There is no better place to buy them than the dollar store.
Plastic Buckets
Dish Towels And Washcloths
If you are wise, you would get these things at the dollar store. After all, they tend to burn or get stained quickly. This is why you are better off buying them for cheap instead of spending good money on them.
Dish Towels And Washcloths
Greeting Cards
A traditional greeting card is a good way to let a friend know that you are thinking of them. Still, there is no need to spend more money than you need. At the dollar store, $5 will fetch you 5 instead of 1.
Greeting Cards
Picture Frames
You should put your family photos on display! You do not have to buy expensive frames, however. Just get the basic ones from the dollar store and go wild by painting and decorating them on your own.
Picture Frames
Socks
There is not much of a difference between the socks from the department store and the dollar store. You will just lose half of it in the future anyway, so it is a good idea to get them as cheap as possible.
Socks
Party Supplies
How can you throw a party if you do not have cups, straws, balloons, streamers, and paper plates? Off to the dollar store you go. By doing this, you will be able to cut down on costs by 70%. Sweet!
Party Supplies
Pregnancy Tests
If you need a pregnancy test, you should go to the dollar store and not the pharmacy. At the latter, you need to pay $10 to $15 per test. The dollar store ones will deliver the result for a fraction of the cost!
Pregnancy Tests
Vase And Decorative Bowls
We highly recommend going to the dollar store if you are thinking of buying vases and bowls. They offer a lot of styles and sizes at different price points. You can be sure to find something that you like!
Vase And Decorative Bowls
Plastic Food Containers
It is not hard to find a store that sells plastic food containers for $5 per piece. This might not sound bad, but the truth is that you can get a better deal at the dollar store. You might even score 4 for a dollar!
Plastic Food Containers
Chocolate And Candy
We bet that you get your candy and chocolate from the supermarket. Did you know that you can score more when you visit the dollar store instead? Now you know where to buy candies for next Halloween!
Chocolate And Candy
Notebooks
Notebooks are, in general, pretty cheap. Despite this, the superstore is not the best place to get them since they go for $5 to $10 each over there. At the dollar store, they will cost you a fraction of that!
Notebooks
Storage Containers
Do you consider yourself an organization freak? Well, we have good news for you. If you need to buy storage containers, you should head over to the dollar store. You will find a variety of sizes, colors, and styles there. They are all cheap as well! What a great way to organize and clean your things on a budget.
Storage Containers
Mugs And Glasses
Mugs and glasses from the dollar store will serve you just as well as ones from the home store. Not only that, but you do not have to buy one set! Yes, you can just get the amount you think you need.
Mugs And Glasses
Seasonal Décor
If you check out the home decoration aisle at the dollar store, you will be impressed. Truly, there is no better place to get Easter bunny statues and Santa Claus figures from! If you want to make the house look festive, this is a good way to do it on a budget.
Seasonal Decor
Dishware
If you are shopping for dishes, you only need them to be serviceable. If you want to be practical, you should shop at the dollar store instead. This is highly recommended if you tend to break them often.
Dishware
Tote Bags
Nowadays, people are very concerned about the environment. This includes the way they impact the environment! As a matter of fact, people have started using reusable bags for this very reason. You must help save mother earth by skipping the plastic bags and using a polyester tote on your shopping trips.
Tote Bags
Reading Glasses
There really is no need to spend hundreds of bucks to get a pair of glasses. After all, you can remedy your vision by putting on reading glasses from the dollar store! All this for a fraction of the price.
Reading Glasses
Wrapping Paper, Gift Bags, Boxes
We are sorry to tell you, but the receiver of the gift will simply dump the wrapping paper or gift bag after they get the content. This is the reason you should simply grab the cheapest gift wraps out there
Wrapping Paper, Gift Bags, Boxes
Deodorant
But what about the items that you should avoid buying at the dollar store? You do not need to buy your deodorant or antiperspirant there just because they have it in stock. If you want to get more bang for your buck, you are better off spending a little more for a bigger one at your local pharmacy.
Deodorant
Toys
If you buy toys at the dollar store, you should not use it very often. Feel free to buy them, but you should not expect them to last for a long time. On top of that, you might put your toddlers in danger since parts of the toys will probably come loose and become choking hazards.
Toys
Tools
Do you need to use tools but are away from home? If this is the case, you can go to the dollar store and pick up cheap ones. However, you should have a good set at home. They are worth the extra money!
Tools
Batteries
The batteries available at the dollar store normally run out of juice quickly since they are not top quality. One explanation for this is that they do not have modern formulations. They might even leak! When it comes to picking out batteries, it is safer to simply stick to your favorite brand names.
Batteries
Knives
If you want knives that won’t cut it, you should go to the dollar store! Hehe… get it? But for real, a dollar store knife is okay for a camping trip and not much else. You are going to fare so much better if you get a good knife instead. We promise you that you are going to be much happier this way.
Knives
Earbuds, Headphones
If you listen to a lot of music, then you need to carry headphones or earphones with you at all times. We can see why you would be interested in getting cheap ones. However, you can get a pair with better sound from a major retailer. They only cost $10 to $20, so you should go there instead.
Earbuds, Headphones
USB Chargers
It is a universal experience to lose or break your phone charger. When it is time to replace them, you need to decide if you want something cheap or something reliable. The chargers you get at the dollar store is in the first category. You will save a lot of money, but they will not charge your devices to the fullest. If this is not the case, they will charge the phones at a slower pace.
USB Chargers
HDMI Cables
Now, we will admit that HDMI cables can get pretty pricey. We can see why a lot of people would like to buy them at the dollar store instead. Even though the price is significantly lower, this also applies to the quality of the product. It would not take long before it breaks! Our tip for you is to get them from online stores since they typically offer much better deals on these items without sacrificing their quality.
HDMI Cables
Plastic Cooking Utensils
The Las Vegas Review-Journal exposed that plastic utensils tend to come with chemicals that are bad for our health. Stainless steel items are much better. It is worth spending more for the sake of your health!
Plastic Cooking Utensils
School Supplies
When you are looking for school supplies, we are sure that you do not like leaky pens and Post-its that don’t stick. We are sad to report that the dollar store does not offer the best stationery. Not all items are bad, but you can get better prices elsewhere. You should heed the advice of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, which said that you will get better discounts by buying from big stores in bulk during sales.
School Supplies
Double-Sided Tape
You can buy 130 inches of double-sided tape at a much lower price if you get it from the dollar store. Its Staples counterpart is 450 inches for $4.70. You can, therefore, save 1/5 cent for every inch.
Double Sides Tape
Cotton Swabs
Honestly, so many people waste their money by paying a premium for brand names. This is also true when it comes to cotton swabs. You can get a box with 170 swabs for $2.79 at CVS. We guarantee that it is going to be the same as the cheaper ones at the dollar store.
Cotton Swabs
Paper Clips
If you need paper clips, you should go to the dollar store and get a pack of 100 colored ones. They will only cost a buck, which is way cheaper than the pack of 60 that you can buy at Office Depot for $2.49.
Paper Clips
Clay Flower Pots
Flower pots can make for cool little art projects. You can buy a few from the dollar store and decorate them to your liking! It can make for a great gift as well. At Lowes, the same pot goes for $3.97.
Clay Flower Pots
Holiday Decorations
You will find aisles full of new decorations during the holiday season. This is a great way to decorate your home or office on a budget! There is no need to splurge if you want to brighten up a room.
Holiday Decorations
Mailing Labels
You can get a pack of 10 mailing labels for only a dollar by going to a discount store. If you buy them at post offices, you are going to pay more for these items. They are not worth it!
Mailing Labels
Shaving Cream
We do not think you should buy shaving cream from CVS since it will cost you $2.99. This is thrice the price of the one at the dollar store! Did you know that you can get a holistic expectorant there too?
Shaving Cream
Advil
The drug store offers small packs of Advil at a crazy price. We can see someone paying that much if their headaches are just too much to bear. If you want to save your money, you should pick them up from the dollar store instead!
Advil
Balloons
You do not need balloons for a long period of time. We bet that you already want to get rid of them the day after your party! There is no need to pay a lot of money for them, so go to the dollar store instead.
Balloons
Band-aids
Why on earth would you want to get a brand-name band-aid? We are sure that you can’t think of a reason. Save yourself the extra cost and simply get them from the dollar store instead.
Band-Aids
Pint Glasses
There is something different about drinking your beer in pint glasses. You do not have to go to the bar for a pint if you get some of your own! Luckily, you can buy them at the dollar store for not much.
Pint Glasses
Board Games
If you want to keep the kids happy and preoccupied, you should get them puzzles and board games. The dollar store has a variety of these things for only one dollar. There might even be Disney products there.
Board Games
Bobby Pins
It is impossible to keep track of bobby pins all the time. If you also lose them on the regular, you will need to get more after some time. Keep your expenses down by buying a pack of 72 pins for a dollar.
Bobby Pins
Bread
The Krazy Coupon Lady blog creator revealed that you can buy Oroweat bread at the dollar store for over a third of its price at the grocery store. How crazy is that? If you eat a lot of these things, it must be exciting to hear that you can buy it for no more than a dollar.
Bread
Cleaning Supplies
We do not know why, but supermarkets have overpriced cleaning supplies. When you go to the dollar store, it is still possible to buy popular brands such as Clorox and Tide… but at half the price! Sweet!
Cleaning Supplies
Cookie Sheets
According to the crazy craft lady blogger let us know that she buys cookie sheets at the dollar store. They are great for DIY projects. Oh, you can use them for magnetic boards and kitchen items as well.
Cookie Sheets
Index Cards
When the exams are going on, it does not take a long time for students to finish one pack of index cards. At the dollar store, a pack of a hundred cards will only set you back by 50 cents. If you prefer buying in bulk, you can also get 12 packs for $6.
Index Cards
Flashlight
Okay, they do not have the best quality. Even so, mini flashlights can be very handy if there is no power. They have keychain hooks as well, which makes them easy to bring with you. The price is also good!
Flashlight
Flip Flops
Do you need something to wear in camp showers, at the beach, in college dorm showers, or around the house? Dollar store flip flops are the way to go! They are cheap, but you will be surprised by the quality.
Flip Flops
Permanent Markers
You do not really need brand-name markers since the ones from the dollar store will work just as well. The quality is going to be the same, we promise you that. Your wallet will be able to feel the difference!
Permanent Markers
Baby Utensils
Plastics used in dollar store items often contain harsh chemicals. This is the reason you should not buy baby equipment from those places. After all, we are sure that you do not want to endanger your child’s health. It is definitely worth spending more money if it means your baby will be safe.
Baby Utensils
Hair Dye
Normal hair dye already contains a lot of harsh chemicals. This is the reason you should not risk getting it at the dollar store. It might be very cheap, but are you really willing to risk your skin and hair by using something with unclear ingredients? We don’t think so!
Hair Dye
Phone Chargers
We know that it feels very dire when you lose or break your phone charger. Even if you feel like it is better to go to the dollar store to buy a cheap replacement, you should spend more money and get an original one. The cheap versions are not going to charge as well or as fast. They will break sooner too, so you might as well shell out more money on a better one.
Phone Chargers
Trash Bags
The dollar store offers trash bags, but you are better off ignoring those items. The sad truth is that you will only get two to three trash bags for each dollar. We will go through those in the blink of an eye! Aside from that, those trash bags are made poorly and will rip very quickly.
Trash Bags
Dishwasher Pods
If you are shopping for dishwasher pods, you should not go to the dollar store. You might see a 2-pack for a dollar, but Walmart and Target offer 14-packs for only $4.50 to $5.50. Are you surprised to hear that the best deals are not always found at the dollar store?
Dishwasher Pods
Sandwich Bags
Sandwich bags are more than just a little frustrating when they refuse to close properly. The ones you can get at the dollar store are made using cheap plastic, which makes them even harder to seal and to tear open. The supermarket version is probably going to cost you one or two dollars more, but they will make your life a lot easier.
Sandwich Bags
Crayons
You should not get your offbrand crayons or watercolor paints from the dollar store. You will not get enough color from them! On top of that, you will need to buy these products again very soon. We recommend getting higher-quality stuff from Walmart or Target instead.
Crayons
Jewelry
We can see why you think you are getting a bargain when you only pay a dollar for rings and necklaces. But let us be real, how can you get such good jewelry pieces for only a buck? The material is not sturdy and will change colors soon. If you are looking for nice jewelry, you should be willing to spend more!
Jewelry
Fabric Softener
Now, we see the allure of buying fabric softeners for only a dollar. However, they are not as good of a deal as it might seem. The truth is that you will be able to get nearly four times that amount at the same price if you use a coupon at Target or Walmart.
Fabric Softener
Sunscreen
Sunscreen is used to keep your skin safe from the sun. Even if you put dollar store ones on your skin, it might not work at all. A lot of them are already close to their expiration dates and do not work very well.
Sunscreen
Baking Soda
If you go to a warehouse store like Costco, you can get a box of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda for only 85 cents. How cheap is that?! On that of that, they will not spoil. Feel free to go ahead and stock up on it.
Baking Soda
Shampoo
Shampoo is used to clean your hair. However, an off-brand one will be as good as a more expensive one. You can save nearly $2 on a shampoo bottle if you get it from the dollar store instead. Trust us, it is not worth paying so much more money for the name of the brand or a specific scent.
Shampoo
Medication
We do not recommend getting meds at the dollar store. After all, you would rather be safe than sorry when it comes to your health. At discount stores, they might be unregulated and labeled incorrectly. There have been reports that multi-vitamins available at dollar stores do not really contain the number of nutrients that the label says it does.
Medication
Spices
Even though you will not find a huge selection of exotic spices over there, the dollar store will have basic ones like pepper, cinnamon, and parsley. A huge container will only set you back by a dollar! The only thing you have to look out for would be the expiration date.
Spices
Paper Towels
Paper towels from the dollar store are normally flimsy. They also do a poor job at cleaning messes! Meanwhile, the grocery store equivalents are even cheaper despite having higher quality. You got that right – it is not really a bargain to pay a dollar for a roll of paper towel!
Paper Towels
Packaged Food
You can get awesome deals on olives, pickles, and other packaged or canned food. These items do not go bad, so it is a good idea to get them in bulk. You can buy perishable items like dairy or produce from there as well. However, it is not as good of an idea since the expiration date is probably close. If you do buy fresh products, you should probably eat them on the same day.
Packaged Foods
Drinks
How much are you willing to pay for a liter of soda? You can get it for a buck at the dollar store, but you can actually get two liters for $1 at a local grocery store. If you want even more savings, you should buy them in bulk at a local store!
Drinks
Pet Food
We do not recommend experimenting by buying pet food at the dollar store. After all, you might just put the health of your pet in danger! It is not a good idea to feed them knock off food. On top of that, they tend to be cheaper if you go to national chains since they offer a lot of discounts. Target sells a case of 24 cans for $12, while they cost 50 cents more at the dollar store.
Pet Food
Makeup
Beauty products might be a little expensive, but you tend to get what you pay for. After all, it is hard to determine what dollar store items contain. They might use the same ingredients, but they are probably made with the cheapest version possible. This is the reason prices are so low at the dollar store, after all. Even though the products would probably work just fine, you should avoid them if your skin is sensitive.
Makeup
Oven Mitt
An oven mitt is used to keep your skin safe from burns when you are cooking. You should avoid buying these things at the dollar store since they are normally made using cheap materials. They would not protect you from the heat! Your hands are priceless, so you should spend more money on oven mitts.
Oven Mitt