It’s more important than ever to save money. Shopping at a dollar store is a fantastic way to do that, but not every item is a good value. Here are 13 items my family buys at the dollar store to stretch our budget that you might want to consider too.
Greeting Cards
Who wants to spend $5+ for a greeting card. If it’s for a special occasion, sure, but they can get costly.
Instead of shopping at Hallmark or Target, make your next greeting card purchase at a dollar store. You can often find a thoughtful card for $1 or $2, not $5.
Party Supplies
Throw away table clothes, party hats, and plates add up. Skip Target or Walmart and buy them at a dollar store.
They’re often of similar quality and cost a fraction less than what you’ll find at a major retailer.
Gift Bags and Wrapping Paper
Why overspend for something that is going in the trash anyway? Most aren’t going to look at the quality of a gift bag or wrapping paper. They want the gift inside.
Compare pricing the next time you’re at a dollar store and you’ll be surprised at how much you’ll save.
Reading Glasses
Reading glasses become a necessity for many of us as we age. A pair of readers can easily cost $20, $30, or more at a major retailer.
You can often find them for several dollars, or less, at a dollar store. Why pay more?
Notebooks
Notebooks are great to have around the house to take notes or create to-do lists. They’re also a must-have for students in your home to do their homework.
Skip buying them at the big box store and stock up on them at your local dollar store. They’re the same quality, for less.
Storage Containers
We love to use containers in our home to organize things. However, we avoid buying storage containers at a major retailer as they can add up in cost.
Dollar stores are fantastic alternatives. Containers are often half the cost, if not more, than what we find at other stores. They stand up to our kids too.
Crossword Puzzle Books
Do you love crossword puzzles or sudoku? Look no further than a dollar store. You can have hours of fun for significantly less than what you’ll find at another retailer.
Band-Aids
Everyone knows Band-Aids, but it’s just a brand. If you don’t mind a cheaper alternative, you can easily spend less than half of the name brand alternative at a dollar store.
Cleaning Supplies
Are you brand agnostic when it comes to cleaning supplies? If so, you can find cleaning solutions for half the cost of what you’ll pay at Target or Walmart.
Coffee Filters
Do you have a coffee drinker in your home? You can shop at Dollar Tree and get twice the filters than what you’ll get at other stores, for the same price. Talk about savings!
Dish Towels
Dish towels are a necessity in most homes. Instead of overpaying, many dollar stores sell them at a fraction of the cost than those at Target or Walmart.
Some may not be strong enough, but they can be used as rags to clean around your home.
Hair Accessories
Does your family use a lot of hair accessories, such as headbands or hairpins? They’re typically available for significantly less than what you will find at Target or Walmart.
If you need a new hairbrush, you can often find them for less at the dollar store too.
Sandwich Bags
If you have a large family, you likely fly through Ziploc sandwich bags. You can find similar bags for 20 or 30 percent less at most dollar stores.
You may even luck out and find popular name brand options.
15 Best Coupon Apps to Save Money
Saving money at the store is as simple as using your phone. Better yet, you can redeem savings for free PayPal money or gift cards. That’s a win-win.
15 Best Coupon Apps to Save Money
Best Places to Buy Discount Shoes Online
Shoes can get expensive, especially with a growing family. Instead of buying cheap footwear, shop at the best retailer to get discount prices. Outfit your family without going cheap.
9 Best Places to Buy Discount Shoes Online
How to Save Money on Groceries
It can be a challenge to keep grocery costs under control. With a little planning you can cut costs and not sacrifice what you want.
How to Save Money on Groceries in 2023
Don’t Be Guilty of These Mistakes: 13 Items to Avoid at Walmart
13 Items to Never Buy at Walmart
Costco’s Hidden Pitfalls: 14 Items You Should Never Buy at the Warehouse Club
14 Items to Never Buy at Costco
I’m John Schmoll, a former stockbroker, MBA-grad, published finance writer, and founder of Frugal Rules.
As a veteran of the financial services industry, I’ve worked as a mutual fund administrator, banker, and stockbroker and was Series 7 and 63-licensed, but I left all that behind in 2012 to help people learn how to manage their money.
My goal is to help you gain the knowledge you need to become financially independent with personally-tested financial tools and money-saving solutions.
Leave a Reply