Things To Always Buy At The Dollar Store VS. Things You Should Never Buy There

If you’re anything like us, you most likely think that the dollar store is nothing short of a magical place where you can buy pretty much anything. However, there are times when you’re better off spending a few extra dollars to make sure the item you want lasts. It isn’t always a good idea to trade good quality just to save a couple of bucks. Still, you can get some amazing bargains at the dollar store! If you want to know what you should buy there and what you should never get, read on.

Coffee Filters

This bargain is one you’re always going to appreciate. We could even go so far as saying that coffee should be on the highest tier of the food pyramid. There’s no doubt that running out of coffee filters at home or at the office is never a good idea. Make sure you have enough by buying them at the dollar store!

Hair Accessories

No matter which hair accessory you’re looking for, you can be sure that the dollar store will have it, and for much cheaper. Trends come and go, so it’s a good idea not to spend too much on these items since you might not use them for too long.

Plastic Buckets

At one point or another, you know that plastic buckets will come in handy. You can use them to wash your car, clean the house, and also carry other things. What more can you ask for? And, of course, these will cheaper than anywhere else.

Dish Towels And Washcloths

There’s no way you can find these dish towels and washcloths for a cheaper price anywhere. They will no doubt get stained or burned in no time, so it’s not the best idea to shell out a lot of money on them.

Greeting Cards

If you like buying people greeting cards, you probably already know that they’re not worth paying all that much for. Why spend $5 on one when you can get five cards for the same exact price? It’s just not worth it.

Picture Frames

Are you looking for a way to show off your family photos at your house? Buy plain picture frames at the dollar store and then you can decorate them with your own paint and decorations! It’s a good chance to express your creativity.

Socks

The socks you can find at the dollar store are just as good as those you find at the department store. There’s a good chance you’ll lose one of them anyway, so why bother spending more than you need to?

Party Supplies

When you’re planning a party, the best thing to do is get cups, paper plates, straws, and balloons from the dollar store. You can save a lot of money by doing so – as much as 70%, in fact. You can find anything you’ll need there.

Pregnancy Tests

Drugstore tests can range from $10 to $15 when you buy them at the pharmacy. However, you can buy ones that work just as well at the dollar store. We guarantee you that they are just as reliable as the more expensive ones.

Vase And Decorative Bowls

Buy your bowls and vases at the dollar. Aside from being so much cheaper, you’ll have so much more variety, sizes, and prices. You’ll always be able to find one to match the decor in your house. In any case, most people will be too focused on the flowers.

Plastic Food Containers

While most stores sell plastic containers for $5 each, the dollar store is not the same. It’s lucky you can get a great deal on them when you hit up the dollar store. You might even find a deal to buy 4 for  $1.

Chocolate And Candy

If you’re looking for candy or chocolate to satisfy your sweet tooth, head to the dollar store. Not to mention, this is a great idea for Halloween! The one thing you should keep an eye out for is the expiration date on them.

Notebooks

While notebooks are normally not so expensive, they can easily add up when you’re buying a bunch. So, instead of paying between $5 and $10 for each, just go to the dollar store at the beginning of the school year.

Storage Containers

There’s no doubt that the dollar store is heaven for neat freaks and the like. You’ll find storage containers in different colors, sizes, and the prices will also suit your needs. Seeing as they’re nice and cheap, you’ll have no problem keeping your house nice and clean.

Mugs And Glasses

Just like bowls and vases, glasses and mugs from the dollar store are a great buy. Another good reason to do this is that you can buy however many you really need without having to buy an entire set.

Seasonal Décor

You’d be surprised just how big of a decor selection the dollar store typically has. From scarecrows on Halloween to Santa figures on Christmas and even Easter bunny statues, they have it all. This is a great idea if you want to decorate your house without breaking the bank.

Dishware

With dishes, most people want them simple and good for eating on, of course. The most practical buys are those from the dollar store. As you most likely know, clumsy kids and college students often break them without meaning to.

Tote Bags

Have you reached the age you start thinking about the environment and the impact you have on it? If so, you’re probably a fan of reusable bags. Do the planet a favor and buy cheap polyester bags to use instead of plastic bags while shopping.

Reading Glasses

The reading glasses you can buy at the dollar store can help your vision just as much as the expensive branded ones. There’s no need for you to spend hundreds of dollars on glasses when you can buy a pair for a fraction of the price.

Wrapping Paper, Gift Bags, Boxes

Let’s be honest, your wrapping paper and gift bag will only end up in the garbage once you’ve used them. There’s no need to spend a lot of money on expensive gift wraps. Instead, use that money to make the present itself extra special!

Deodorant

We’ve now gotten to the part where we tell you about the things you should NEVER buy at the dollar store. While they sell antiperspirant and deodorant, be sure to check the size before buying any. There’s a good chance you’ll find a bigger version of the same one at the pharmacy for not much more.

Toys

If they wouldn’t be used too often, dollar store toys can be awesome. However, don’t expect them to last all that long if they’re regularly used. Be careful with these things since parts will probably come off and could be a choking hazard.

Tools

When you have something urgent and need a tool you can’t find, the dollar store is okay. However, as a rule, it’s always worth spending more on these kinds of things. You want to purchase equipment that will last a long time – for years.

Batteries

Seeing as they’re most likely poorly made, the batteries you’ll find at the dollar store will run out fast. A lot of them don’t use modern formulation. It’s also possible that they will leak. When it comes to batteries, you’re better off going with brand names, mainly for safety reasons.

Knives

If you’re looking for knives that won’t be at all useful, head to the dollar store! The knives they sell there will be fine for the odd camping trip, but otherwise, they won’t be very useful. However, you can save yourself a whole lot of frustration by just investing in good knives instead.

Earbuds, Headphones

We see the appeal of those cheap earphones that sell for a couple of dollars. But, you should know they will most likely have terrible sound. You’re better off just getting a good pair for $10 to $20 at a major retailer. They’ll last you much, much longer than the cheap ones.

USB Chargers

If you want a USB charger that’s cheap and won’t give your devices the TLC they need, then go on to the dollar store! We should warn you, however, that you’ll be very disappointed if you actually wanted to charge your phones and tablets to the fullest. Those kinds of chargers normally don’t have enough juice for your devices. That, or they’ll charge much slower.

HDMI Cables

It’s fair to say that lots of places charge ridiculous amounts for HDMI cables. This is why we’re not surprised that people are tempted to save a lot of money by going to the dollar store instead. They might be much cheaper, but truth be told, these are much more likely to break. Your best bet for finding a good deal is looking at online stores.

Plastic Cooking Utensils

A review journal in Las Vegas has discovered that there are plastic utensils that contain chemicals that have been proven to lead to health issues. For this reason, try buying stainless steel utensils, even they cost more.

School Supplies

Are you looking for post-its that won’t stick? Maybe some leaky pens that don’t actually work? Look no further than the dollar store! To be fair, some of their school supplies really are of good quality. However, you’re better off buying the bulk quantity offers in big stores when they go on sale. It’s a better money saver on school supplies.

Double-Sided Tape

If you’re looking for a cheaper option for double-sided tape, go to the dollar store. You can buy 130 inches of this tape there at a much cheaper price. While it’s shorter than the 450-inch roll sold at Staples for $4.70, it’s still 1/5 cent cheaper per inch.

Cotton Swabs

Why should you waste your hard-earned money on cotton swabs from CVS when you can find the exact same ones at the dollar store? At CVS, a box of 170 swabs is usually sold for around $2.79. Even though the dollar-store version won’t be the exact Q-tips brand, it’s still a bargain.

Paper Clips

For just a dollar, you can find a pack of 100 vinyl-coated colored paper clips at the dollar store. This is instead of buying a pack of only 60 for $2.49 at Office Depot. How can you say no to this?

Clay Flower Pots

If you want something fun and creative to do, flower pots make for an enjoyable project. Buy a few and decorate them before planting your flowers inside. Not to mention, this could also make the perfect gift for someone.

Holiday Decorations

The holiday season approaching means that aisles are full with new decorations. The dollar store always has fun and cheap gifts for little kids or even seasonal decor to brighten up the office. You can splurge at the dollar store.

 

Mailing Labels

You can find a package for 10 mailing labels at the dollar store. The only other place we’ve ever seen this kind of ‘to’ and ‘from’ is at the post office. And, of course, those are grossly overpriced.

Shaving Cream

Why should you spend $2.99 in CVS if you can buy the exact same product at the dollar store for less? You can even find expensive holistic expectorant at the dollar store. Make sure to stack up against your boxes.

Advil

Small packs of Advil from the drug store always seem to be ridiculously expensive. At times, your headache is so bad that you don’t care about spending the money. Instead, you should rush to the dollar tree and get a three 2-count pack for only $1.

Balloons

When you think about it, these types of party decorations don’t really last long anyway, so why spend too much on them? Typically, you get rid of the balloons a day or two later after you buy them and use them. You can even get twice the amount for half the price at the dollar store.

Band-aids

To save yourself 50% off pharmacy prices, all you need to do is sacrifice the name brands. Buy these first aid essentials at the dollar store. They work just as well and they won’t cost a ridiculous amount.

Pint Glasses

For just a dollar, you can stock up on pint glasses. Even those which are sold in bars. Not to mention, you won’t be able to beat these prices, so you won’t be stressed if they break during your wilder nights.

Board Games

One of the best things to buy at the dollar store is puzzles and board games for kids. They have a wide variety, and only for a $1! You might even come across some licensed products like Disney.

Bobby Pins

The tiny hair accessories are always getting lost no matter what you do. So why would you waste money when you know you’re going to need to buy them again? At the dollar tree, you can stock up on a 72-pack for just a dollar.

Bread

A blogger discovered that Oroweat bread can be found at the dollar store for over a third less than what it costs at regular grocery stores! This is something you probably always need to buy, so how great is it that you can find it for just a dollar?

Cleaning Supplies

At the supermarket, cleaning supplies can be very, very overpriced. So much so that it can make you want to pull your hair out. Well, as you probably guessed by now, you can find expensive and popular brands like Tide and Clorox at the dollar store for over half the price.

Cookie Sheets

Another blogger says that she only buys her cookie sheets at her local dollar store, so naturally, we trust her. They can be used for the kitchen as usual, but they can also be used for all kinds of DIY projects!

Index Cards

If you happen to be a parent, you’ll know how fast your kids go through a pack of index cards during exam season.  100 cards are only 50 cents at the dollar store. You can stock up on 12 packs for $6 if you like buying in bulk.

Flashlight

While this item isn’t the best quality, these mini flashlights can be very handy if the power happens to go out. They also normally have a keychain hook which makes them easier to carry around. And, of course, they’re super cheap.

Flip Flops

One thing the dollar store swears by is their extremely cheap shoes. They can be used in camp showers, college dorm showers, around the house, or on the beach. Customers have said they’re great quality and can last for years.

 

Permanent Markers

Forget the name brand and go buy yourself a pack of four markers for the price of one. The quality is the same. The only difference you’ll find is that you won’t make a dent in your wallet.