50 Things You Never Thought You Could Buy at the Dollar Store
50 Things You Never Thought You Could Buy at the Dollar Store
Everyone knows stores like the Dollar Tree and Dollar General offer deep discounts, but if you're not careful you could actually end up spending more per unit on certain items. These cleaning supplies, decorating picks, food items, and more are the ones you're really going to want to buy to save some serious dough.
Balloons
You get rid of the party favors after a day or two anyway, so they're not worth spending more than a dollar on. Plus, at some dollar stores you can get twice as many balloons for half the price of other popular retailers.
Advil
If you've ever had to pop in a drugstore when a headache strikes, you know those portable packs of ibuprofen are super expensive. Stock up on them at the Dollar Tree ahead of time, then store them in your purse for when emergencies hit.
Bandages
If you're willing to sacrifice the name brands, you can save up to 50% on these first-aid essentials.
Pint Glasses
For just a buck each, you can stock up on pint glasses like they have in pubs — and at a price like that, you won't have to worry if one gets broken during rowdier nights.
Puzzles and Board Games
Blogger Bargain Babe swears by getting puzzles and board games for her kids at the dollar store. They're cheap and she can often times find licensed products like Disney.
Bobby Pins
If you find yourself always losing these tiny hair accessories, stock up so you'll never run out. Dollar Tree has a 72-pack for you guessed it: $1.
Best-Selling Books
One of bargain website Hip2Save's insiders says she's found books from popular authors like Nicholas Sparks and Janet Evanovich at her local Dollar Tree.
Bread
The masterminds behind the popular blog Krazy Coupon Lady say they've found Oroweat brand bread at Dollar Tree for more than a third of what it costs at the grocery store.
Cleaning Supplies
Another find from Krazy Coupon Lady: popular cleaning product brands like Tide and Clorox for just $1.
Coffee Filters
Frequent coffee drinkers, you're going to like this one: Dollar Tree offers nearly twice as many coffee filters for the same price you'd pay at other popular retailers.
Cookie Sheets
The Crazy Craft Lady says she gets her cookie sheets for her favorite DIY projects from her local dollar store so she can transform them into other useful kitchen items — like this magnetic board.
Cotton Swabs
Bargain Babe swears by buying the off-brand cotton swabs from her local dollar store. She claims a 170-count box is over half the price and she barely notices a difference in quality.
Art Supplies
Beads, feathers, stickers, foam shapes, and more are just $1 at dollar stores across the country. Just be sure to keep an eye out for small items if you have little ones — they could be a choking hazard.
Dish Towels
These kitchen staples get dirty fast, so stock up on a few back ups you can use for drying when the nicer towels are in the washer.
Mugs
Dollar Tree has a selection of solid color mugs in every color under the sun — perfect for these adorable DIYs that might take a few tries to get right.
Double-Sided Tape
According to Bargain Babe, you can get 130 inches of this tape for a fifth of the cost at popular supply stores. Hey, every penny counts!
Index Cards
If you have kids in school, you know how easy it is for them to blow through a pack when prepping for a big test. One hundred cards are just 50 cents at Dollar General. You can also stock up on 12 packs for just $6.
Flashlights
These aren't the best quality, but will offer a glow if the power goes out. Dollar Tree offers this mini variety that comes with a keychain hook for a buck.
Flip Flops
The Simple Dollar swears by these super-cheap shoes. They can be used for college dorm showers, beach dwelling, and more. Plus, she says her pair from Dollar Tree have lasted for years.
Flower Pots
File under things that are surprisingly expensive: Similar cotta pots that go for $10 or more at home improvement stores can be found at dollar stores across the country.
Disposable Baking Pans
For you next picnic or barbecue, pack your side dish in one of these disposable tins. You may have to double up on the dollar store variety, but even if you do, their pans still cost half as much as the name brand.
Greeting Cards
Dollar Tree is known for its 2-for-$1 cards, which is nearly a 10th of what you'll pay when grabbing a card from the drugstore in a pinch.
Hula Hoops
Introduce your kids to this iconic toy from your childhood. It'll get them away from their screens and may just become their new favorite toy.
Mailing Supplies
The post office is notorious for jacking up the prices of their envelopes, stamps, and more. Ditch their high prices for a 40-count pack from Dollar General for just one George Washington.
Party Supplies
According to Hip2Save's bargain buyers, the Dollar Tree has a huge party selection with plates, streamers, napkins, and more — all for a buck per pack.
Permanent Markers
If you're willing to ditch the name brand, you can get a pack of four of these markers for the price of one at the Dollar Tree.
Picture Frames
They may not be the most elegant options, but for basic colored frames (like for your wall collage), dollar stores let you stock up for much less.
Storage Containers
The Penny Hoarder says to skip the plastic food containers, but for bins that don't need to be air-sealed, the dollar store is the way to go.
Pool Toys
You'll find pool floats and games for much less than the seasonal aisle at other drugstores — and they're available all year round. Note: Because they are likely lesser quality, it's best to skip using these without a backup floatation device.
Poster Board
Foam boards — you know, the ones your child always needs last-minute for a big project — go for just $1 at Dollar Tree, meaning you can get a whole year's worth (or more!) for less than $20.
Pregnancy Test
When family planning, at-home tests can get pricey. Dollar stores across the country offer more affordable options for those who are testing more often. One tip from the Good Housekeeping Institute: Make sure you follow the instructions closely and always confirm your pregnancy with a blood test from a doctor.
Readers
If you're constantly misplacing your glasses, get a back up or two. Fashion frames from the Dollar Tree go for just a buck.
Rubber Cleaning Gloves
Protecting your hands from harsh cleaning chemicals can cost up to 15 times more at popular retailers. Opt for the cheaper version, available at dollar stores across the country, instead.
Sandwich Bags
These lunch essentials cost nearly a third less at dollar stores compared to other retailers. Plus, Dollar Tree is known to carry popular brands like Glad and Hefty.
Seasonal Decor
For decorative items that will only be on display for a few months out of the year, it's not worth shelling out the big bucks. Instead, shop the Dollar Tree's discounted selection of wreaths, florals, garland, and more.
Socks
So you'll always have a matching pair, no matter how close to laundry day it gets.
Spices
For what you're currently paying at the grocery store, you could be getting two to three times as many spices at Dollar Tree.
Sponges
If you follow our recommendation for ditching your sponge every two to three weeks, you likely won't want to overspend on them. Dollar General offers a six-pack for just a buck, meaning you'll pay less than 13 cents a piece.
Stationary
For notebooks and other paper products, you could be paying up to nine times the price at supply stores. Instead, opt for pads from the Dollar Tree. You'll save some cash and will barely notice a difference in quality.
Teaching Supplies
Teachers know that prepping for the school year can get expensive. Dollar General offers popular supplies like pencils, calculators, and sticky notes in bulk so she can stock up for the whole class.
Aluminium Foil
Even though you're getting less than when you buy at the grocery store, Bargain Babe says the price per inch is still cheaper at her local dollar store.
Toothbrushes
For guests and after sicknesses, Dollar Tree offers name-brand brushes like Colgate for nearly a third of the price of others.
Wrapping Paper
Dollar Tree offers bulk packaging of 48 rolls of assorted wrapping paper for $48, so you'll be set for the whole year.
Vases
Instead of paying top dollar for a new vases every time you get a bouquet, opt for these cheaper options from Dollar Tree instead. They're simplistic in design, but the flowers are what people are looking at anyway.
White T-Shirts
For tie-dying and other DIY projects, Dollar General offers a three-pack of Hanes crew neck t-shirts for a third less than competitors.
Brooms and Dust Pans
Stock up on these cleaning essentials for just $1 each at stores like Dollar Tree compared to paying up to $15 elsewhere.
DIY Party Favors
For weddings, baby showers, and more, Dollar Tree offers DIY supplies — plus ideas— for just a buck each.
Beach Toys
If you're planning a vacation, hit up the dollar store beforehand. Their cheap prices will save you more on buckets, shovels, and more than the shops in beach towns.
Candy
Everyone knows to stock up before hitting up the movie theater. But did you know dollar store prices are up to a third less that drugstores? So, you'll save even more before the show.
Hair Elastics
When you pay $2 less than what you'd typically at the drugstore, you won't feel as bad when you miraculously lose all of your hair ties.
Get your George Washingtons ready.