A dollar store is like a magical place where all your needs and even your wants are laid right in front of you but for a much lower price. However, there are times when you’d rather buy something that would cost you extra bucks than to risk buying something cheap and not getting the quality of a product you’re expecting to get. It’s not always practical to trade quality just for us to save a couple of bucks. Despite all this being said, there is still a lot of amazing stuff that you can get at a dollar store! Continue reading to find out the things that you should buy and should not buy at a dollar store.
Coffee Filters
We believe that coffee should be at the highest tier on the pyramid, and running out of coffee filters at home or the office is a big no-no! You don’t want your morning coffee to be ruined. Dollar store coffee filters are one of the best bargains that you can get. You can guarantee that you will never run out of coffee filters by buying them at your nearest dollar store.
Coffee Filters
Hair Accessories
Name all the hair accessories that you need, from combs to brushes, to headbands, and even bobby pins. Just name it, they have it! Trends and fads when it comes to hair accessories and they die out quickly, so it’s best that you get these things at a dollar store. So it wouldn’t hurt you that much when you need to replace them.
Hair Accessories
Plastic Buckets
At one point or another, we’ll always need a plastic bucket in our day to day lives. Some may say that buying plastic buckets are impractical, but they are very useful. You can use them to wash your car, clean the house, and carry other things. What more can you ask for when you can get them for a lower price?
Plastic Buckets
Dish Towels And Washcloths
There is no way that you can top off dollar store prices of these things. Dish towels and washcloths are one of the most used items inside your household. They are also the first items to run-down since they are used every day. They get stained or sometimes even get burned. With that being said, don’t you think it’s not practical to splurge on them?
Dish Towels And Washcloths
Greeting Cards
If you are someone who likes getting greeting cards for your loved ones, you must already know that it’s not worth it to spend a lot of money on them. Why would you spend $5 on a card that you know will be just thrown away at the end of the day when you can just get it at five pieces for the same price at a dollar store?
Greeting Cards
Picture Frames
Want to display your family photos? Or maybe frame those certificates of your achievements? Get those basic picture frames from the dollar store. They may look plain and basic, but you can decorate them on your own with some paint and maybe some decorations. This is a good opportunity to express your creativity and improve your decorating skills.
Picture Frames
Socks
Trust us when we say that dollar store socks are just as good as the ones that you can buy at a department store. Why even bother spending a lot on them when there’s a big chance that you’ll just misplace one of its pairs in the future?
Socks
Party Supplies
When you are expecting a party coming, it’s best that you get all your needs from a dollar store. From cups to straws, to paper plates, to streamers, and even balloons, they have it! In this way, you can save as much as 70% of the costs than buying it somewhere else.
Party Supplies
Pregnancy Tests
Buying pregnancy test kits in pharmacies would cost you around $10 to $15. While buying them at a drugstore would only cost you a dollar, and they work just as well as the ones from the pharmacy. We assure you that they are not any less dependable than the more expensive ones.
Pregnancy Tests
Vase And Decorative Bowls
Who doesn’t like a well-decorated house? You can use bowls and vases for your flowers or just use it as a decoration for your room, living room, or even in your bathroom. You can get your bowls and vases at your nearest dollar store. They have a wide range of sizes, styles, and prices, so you’ll always be able to find one that will match the needs of your house. Also, why even bother spending tons of money on a flower vase when your guest will just be focused on the flowers anyway?
Vase And Decorative Bowls
Plastic Food Containers
Plastic food containers will always come in handy in our kitchen. We use them to keep our leftovers, to store freshly bought food, or for our packed meals. Most stores retail them for $5 a piece, but it’s a good thing that you can buy them at a dollar store for a much lower price. You can get them in a dollar store at $1 for 4 pieces, which is a great deal if you’ll come to think of it.
Plastic Food Containers
Chocolate And Candy
Looking for something sweet to satisfy your cravings? Skip the supermarket and go straight to the dollar store instead. They have a lot of kinds of chocolates and candies to choose from! The dollar store is also the perfect place to get your Halloween candies since they’re cheaper than the ones that you can buy from the supermarket, and since you’ll just be giving them away. The only thing that you have to look out for when buying sweets in a dollar store is their expiration date.
Chocolate And Candy
Notebooks
Notebooks are not supposed to be expensive, but buying them at a superstore may cost you more. Instead of getting them for $5 to $10 apiece, just buy them at a dollar store. Dollar stores also sell notebooks but for a much lower price compared to the ones that you can buy at a superstore. So if you are looking for something to write on, just buy them at a dollar store.
Notebooks
Storage Containers
If you are someone who loves organizing your things, the dollar store is a perfect place to buy all your organization freaks. You can find storage containers here with a wide range of sizes and prices that will best suit your needs. This will help you to keep your house clean and organized since you’ll be getting all your organizing stuff for a much lower price.
Storage Containers
Mugs And Glasses
Just like bowls and vases, mugs and glasses from the dollar store will always do the trick. Why spend a ton of bucks on things that wear out easily when you can buy them for a much lower price? Also, one advantage of buying them at a dollar store is the fact that you can buy a lot of items without being forced to buy an entire set since most glasses and mugs are being sold by the set when you buy them at a department store.
Mugs And Glasses
Seasonal Décor
You’ll be amazed when you see how big the selection of decorations a dollar store has. They have all your decorating needs. From scarecrows to Santa figures, and even your easter bunny statues. This is the perfect place to get all your decorating needs if you want to make your home look festive without having to spend a lot.
Seasonal Decor
Dishware
Most people want the simplest and most useful when it comes to dishware. It’s only safe to say that you should not splurge on them since they wear out very fast and get broken easily because they are being used all the time. So it’s only practical to get them at a dollar store.
Dishware
Tote Bags
Are you in that stage where you start to think about the environment and ways on how you can help conserve it? You’re probably a huge fan of reusable bags if you do so. Dollar stores also have a variety of tote bags and they are also cheap! So do your planet a favor and start using reusable bags than using plastic bags when you go to the market.
Tote Bags
Reading Glasses
Dollar stores also sell reading glasses that are just as functional as the branded ones. Same function and purpose but for a much lower price! There’s no need for you to spend hundreds of dollars for a pair of glasses when you can get them for a fraction of the price.
Reading Glasses
Wrapping Paper, Gift Bags, Boxes
We all know that at the end of the day your wrapping papers and gift bags will just end up in the dumpster after serving their purpose. So there’s no need for you to splurge on expensive gift wraps. Just buy them at the dollar store. They work just as fine as the expensive ones.
Wrapping Paper, Gift Bags, Boxes
Deodorant
Let us now talk about the things that you should refrain from buying at the dollar store. Dollar stores have antiperspirants and deodorants for sale, but it’s not worth it to buy them. If you’ll compare the size of dollar store deodorants and the ones from the pharmacy, the ones from the pharmacy are bigger and are almost priced the same.
Deodorant
Toys
Dollar stores also offer toys. Their toys are just as fine only if you don’t use them all the time, but don’t expect much from it. Compared to the toys that you can buy at regular toy stores, they are not as sturdy as them. Don’t expect them to last when they are always being used. Just be cautious of these things since some parts of it will most likely fall apart and turn into a choking hazard. You don’t want you, children, to be at risk, right?
Toys
Tools
It’s okay to buy cheap tools just for emergency purposes. But, if you want tools and equipment that would last at least for a few years, we don’t suggest that you buy them at a dollar store. It’s always worth the money to spend on these since they are very useful and will always come in handy someday.
Tools
Batteries
The batteries you find in dollar stores will run out quickly because they are normally poorly made. Many of them do not use modern formulations. It is not improbable for them to leak as well. When talking about batteries, it is much better to go with brand names instead of these reasons.
Batteries
Knives
If you just feel like adding extra knives for emergency purposes in your kitchen, feel free to buy them at a dollar store. They will work well for your odd camping trip, but it’s always best to invest in good and more expensive knives if you want to save yourself a great deal of frustration. Trust us, you’ll be relieved that you listened to our advice instead.
Knives
Earbuds, Headphones
Dollar stores offer cheap earbuds and headphones, but you should be aware that the quality of these is not as great as the expensive ones. We suggest that you should just get those headphones that retail for $10 to $20 a pair. They may cost you more, but these things will last much longer and work so much better compared to the ones that you can get at a dollar store.
Earbuds, Headphones
USB Chargers
If you’re looking for a cheap USB charger, go to the nearest dollar store and they have it. However, don’t expect them to give and provide the TLC that your devices need. It is not worth it to buy your USB charger at a dollar store, you will just be disappointed. Those chargers do not have enough power for your devices or will charge your devices at a slower pace.
USB Chargers
HDMI Cables
Many stores charge indecent prices for HDMI cables. We wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of people are tempted to buy HDMI cable from a dollar store just to save bucks. Dollar store HDMI cables may be cheap, but they are more likely to break easily. It would be much better if you’ll just buy them online. There are a lot of good deals online if you’re just willing and patient to look for them.
HDMI Cables
Plastic Cooking Utensils
If you’re a fan of plastic cooking utensils, we suggest that you stop buying them. An article by Las Vegas Review-Journal exposed that some plastic utensils contain chemicals that may lead to health issues. With that being said, it is best that you should just buy stainless steel utensils. They may be more expensive, but it’s better than to risk your health.
Plastic Cooking Utensils
School Supplies
Dollar stores also have a variety of school supplies. They have sticky notes, leaky pens, and even a section for your stationery needs! To be fair, some of their school supplies are of good quality. The Las Vegas Review-Journal said in an article that they released, that if you want to save money on school supplies, it’s better to avail bulk quantity offers that big stores have when they go on sale.
School Supplies
Double-Sided Tape
Dollar stores also sell Double-sided tapes. They sell 130 inches of double-sided tape for a much cheaper price than the 450-inch role sold at Staples for $4.70. Dollar store double-sided tapes may be shorter than the ones at staples, but at least they’re still a cent cheaper per inch.
Double Sides Tape
Cotton Swabs
Why pay a much higher price on cotton swabs from CVS when you can get the same product at a dollar store for a cheaper price. Imagine, a box of 170 swabs is priced at $2.79 at CVS. don’t you think that’s just a little too much? Maybe it’s not just the brand, but there are a few little differences.
Cotton Swabs
Paper Clips
Just like Office Depot, the Dollar store also has some of your office needs. You can get a pack of 100 vinyl-coated colored paper clips for just a dollar in a dollar store, while it’s being priced at $2.49 for a pack of 60 at Office Depot. Get more while paying for less? How can you say no to that!
Paper Clips
Clay Flower Pots
Planting and Flowerpots are a fun and creative way to make use of your time. Buy some, decorate them, and have your flowers potted. Dollar stores also bargain flower pots. This can also be a perfect gift for your friends and loved ones. Here they only sell it for a dollar, while the ones being sold at Lowes are priced for $3.97, and they work just as fine.
Clay Flower Pots
Holiday Decorations
New holidays mean new decorations. You can always find fun and exciting, yet cheap gifts for young children or even some seasonal decors that you can use to decorate your home and your office. At the dollar store, you can buy a lot of stuff without having to break the banks.
Holiday Decorations
Mailing Labels
At the dollar store, you can purchase a package of 10 mailing labels for only a cheap amount, while some Mailing labels are being sold for a much higher price just because of their brand. Why would you pay for a much higher price and something that is overpriced when you know that at the end of the day, they’ll just throw it away. Be practical!
Mailing Labels
Shaving Cream
Why would you spend $2.99 at CVS for a shaving cream when you can get and buy the same product at a dollar store for a much lower price? There are even expensive holistic expectorants available at a dollar store. Be sure to stack up a lot at your storage.
Shaving Cream
Advil
Small packs of Advil are always so expensive when you buy them at your local drug store. Sometimes when your head hurts so bad that you don’t even bother checking the price of a product just to ease the pain. But next time your head hurts, instead of rushing to the drug store, rush over to the nearest dollar tree. They offer a three 2-count pack for only a dollar!
Advil
Balloons
It’s not practical to buy expensive balloons since they don’t last that long and you’ll just throw them away at the end of the day. So there’s no need to spend a lot on them since you’ll just dispose of them after your party ends. Just buy them at a dollar tree where you can get them twice the amount for half the price.
Balloons
Band-aids
Sometimes the only thing that makes a product expensive is its brand name. So sacrifice the brand and save yourself 50% off by purchasing your first aid needs at a dollar store instead of buying them at a pharmacy. They work just as fine and won’t cost you an arm and leg.
Band-Aids
Pint Glasses
Imagine, you can stock up yourself with pint glasses like the ones being sold in bars for only a dollar! Getting a pint glass that works just as fine and not having to worry about it when they get broken during a wild night since you got them at a cheap price.
Pint Glasses
Board Games
Board games are also available and being sold at dollar stores. This is the perfect place to get your kids the puzzle and board games that they like. They have a lot of puzzle games and board games to choose from and they are priced for only a dollar! Could you believe that? They even have licensed products like Disney.
Board Games
Bobby Pins
Why would you spend a lot of money on a hair accessory that you always lose? With dollar trees, you can get a 72-pack of Bobby pins for only a dollar. It’s not practical to waste money on them when you’re just going to lose and buy them again. So be smart and next time you run out of them, just buy them at a dollar store
Bobby Pins
Bread
Oroweat bread can be purchased at the dollar store and we should thank the creators of the blog Krazy Coupon Lady for this amazing discovery. It is in store for more than a third of what it costs at the regular groceries! Isn’t it great that something you probably always buy is now available for purchase for just a dollar?
Bread
Cleaning Supplies
A lot of things at supermarkets tend to be overpriced and Cleaning Supplies are part of it. Lucky for you, expensive and popular brands like Tide and Clorox are available at the dollar store for more than half the price.
Cleaning Supplies
Cookie Sheets
It is beneficial to have cookie sheets because they can be used for kitchen items like a magnetic board and also for other DIY projects. We trust the crazy craft lady blogger for saying that she gets her cookie sheets at her local dollar store!
Cookie Sheets
Index Cards
A parent surely knows how often their kids go through a pack of index cards during the exam season. Well, a hundred of those go for only 50 cents at the dollar store! It is also easy for you to stock up a large number of it because of how cheap you can get them.
Index Cards
Flashlight
Mini flashlights on dollar store may not be on the best quality, but they sure come in handy if power happens to go out. They are super cheap and they also come with a keychain hook which makes them look fashionable!.
Flashlight
Flip Flops
Dollar stores are famous for their super cheap shoes. It’s not only cheap but very useful! They can be used college dorm rooms, camp showers, around the house, or even to the beach. The dollar store sears by their super cheap shoes. The affordability is also accompanied by its great quality.
Flip Flops
Permanent Markers
Get yourself a pack of four markers for the price of just one at the dollar store. Dump the name of the brand because the quality is the same. The only difference is that it won’t make even a scratch in your wallet.
Permanent Markers
Baby Utensils
Some products found at the dollar store like plastics may contain harsh chemicals that should be distant to babies. We surely know that it is better to spend more money somewhere else than putting the life of our babies in jeopardy
Baby Utensils
Hair Dye
We do not recommend buying hair dye from the dollar store even though it is cheap because of the harmful chemicals present in it. It is better to know first the contents of the product before bringing it near your scalp.
Hair Dye
Phone Chargers
We tend to depend on dollar stores when we need a quick and cheap charge. However, we recommend investing in apple chargers because the cheap chargers found at the dollar stores may damage your phone’s battery. They also won’t charge that fast compared to the original chargers and they also are worn out faster.
Phone Chargers
Trash Bags
You may be lured with the brand name trash bags, but you’ll eventually learn that you are paying a dollar for just 2-3 trash bags! These trash bags wouldn’t even last for three days. What’s even worse is that these cheap bags can be easily ripped.
Trash Bags
Dishwasher Pods
We do not recommend the dollar store when it comes to dishwasher pods. Even though you can get a 2-pack for only a dollar, you can get a 14-pack at stores like Wallmart or Targets for only $4.50.
Dishwasher Pods
Sandwich Bags
Almost all of us get frustrated when we can’t close sandwich bags. Those sandwich bags at the dollar store are even worse because they are made with cheap plastic that is easy to tear but hard to seal! It worth buying at the supermarkets even though it may cost you more.
Sandwich Bags
Crayons
Don’t make the same mistake that a lot of people did when they bought unbranded crayons and watercolor paints. Barely any color comes out and you’ll find yourself buying the same products. It is better to buy the same things at Wallmart or Target because they last longer and produce better.
Crayons
Jewelry
You should think twice when buying jewelry at the dollar store. Think about the quality that you will get for a dollar. The material would probably change colors and will eventually break early. It is better to spend more if you want a piece of nice jewelry.
Jewelry
Fabric Softener
We often get distracted when we see low prices, mostly when it comes to products we usually use. You may be persuaded when you see fabric softener sheets for a dollar, but what you don’t know is that you can get the same thing for 4x the amount, at the same price at the supermarkets as long as you present a coupon!
Fabric Softener
Sunscreen
Buying sunscreen at the dollar store is not effective. Even though you apply a lot to your body, the outcome is just like you never applied it in the first place! Most of their products don’t work anymore because they are close to expiring.
Sunscreen
Baking Soda
You can go buy a bundle of baking soda at warehouse stores like Costco for only 85 cents per box. You can stock up on this because of how cheap it is and it also won’t spoil. In this way, you’ll never get short of baking soda.
Baking Soda
Shampoo
Even though it is not branded, off-brand shampoos do the same job like any other expensive product. You can save a lot when you buy it at the dollar store. You may feel like your hair is getting healthy and better because of the expensive shampoos but the off-brand shampoos can also do the same.
Shampoo
Medication
It is not recommended to buy medications at the dollar store because they may be labeled wrong and they haven’t gone the same testing as the products at other stores. Some products don’t contain the right amount needed and also written on the label and that could cause harm to people using the medications.
Medication
Spices
You can get your basic products like parsley, pepper, and also cinnamon for just a dollar in a large container compared to the supermarkets. Even though you won’t find an exotic collection of spices at the dollar store, it is still worthwhile to visit it if you are looking for the basic products. Just make sure to not skip looking at the expiration date before purchasing.
Spices
Paper Towels
It is not recommended to buy paper towels at the dollar store because they don’t do the job when it comes to cleaning. Also, you can find paper towels at supermarkets that have a higher quality for low a low price.
Paper Towels
Packaged Food
You can score great deals on packaged food at the dollar store. This includes pickles, olives, and the likes. You can also score perishable items like produce or dairy products. Just take a close look at their expiration dates because some products need to be eaten the same day.
Packaged Foods
Drinks
You may think that you are getting a steal when you buy a liter of soda for a dollar. The truth is, you can buy two liters of soda for a dollar at the grocery store. It is better to buy in bulk at the groceries rather than buying individually at the dollar store.
Drinks
Pet Food
We recommend buying pet food at warehouse stores to ensure the safety of your pet. It is better to be sure rather than to risk the life of your furry friend. You can even find discounted prices at national chains. So better not play around when buying pet food.
Pet Food
Makeup
Like the other things mentioned above, we can’t always know the things used in making beauty products. They may have the same ingredients but for sure it is a cheaper version. So if you are someone with sensitive skin, keep in mind the risk you are putting yourself into when buying knockoff brands.
Makeup
Oven Mitt
We recommend buying an oven mitt at the grocery store. The only job of this thing is to keep your hands safe from the intense heat. However, most mitts from the dollar store are made from cheap material and they often fail to do their only job. So don’t waste your money on something that wouldn’t get the job done!
Oven Mitt