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Are you a budget-conscious shopper who hates spending a fortune on everyday items?
Whether you’re watching your wallet, just looking for bargains, or you love getting quality stuff for less, dollar stores are the place to shop.
If you have never shopped at a dollar store, you should definitely check it out.
From school supplies to snacks, household cleaners, and beauty products, these stores have options that won’t break your budget.
So whether you are on a tight budget or just trying to save money to stretch your budget as far as possible, this article is for you.
1. Candy Bars
If you stop at a convenience store to buy candy, you have paid outrageous prices for your favorite candy bar.
But at a dollar store, you can find a wide variety of name-brand candy bars for just one dollar and get some in multiple packs for the same price.
2. Party Decorations
Whether you go to a party supply store or your local grocery store, party supplies can add up quickly.
But at a dollar store, you can find party decorations and supplies for a dollar each or less, so you can have the complete party for less than $20.
3. Picnic Supplies
Picnic items, from ketchup to paper plates, can add up fast and cost a bundle.
With picnic supplies, from tablecloths and paper plates to chips and bread, costing $1 or $1.25 each, you can have a fun picnic with your family without worrying about the cost.
4. Dinnerware
You can mix and match or buy a complete dinnerware set at dollar stores, with each piece costing only $1.25.
Whether you like the look of stoneware or ceramic, you can choose from a variety of colors and styles. Alternatively, you can opt for plastic dinnerware, which is easy to clean and perfect for picnics and everyday use with kids.
And here is a bonus tip. If the store you typically shop at doesn’t have a design you like, consider other dollar stores to see what their inventory is. I’ve found that not all dollar stores are the same quality, so find the best one in your neighborhood and frequent that one.
5. Office Supplies
Poster Tack removable adhesive that you use to hang things on your walls is available for only $1.25 a pack, but it can cost $5.99 for the same amount at Staples.
Most office supplies, like poster board, are $1.25, but some are only a dollar.
6. Beauty Products
One beauty product that we found a big difference in the price at dollar stores was deodorant.
A 1.4-oz Lady Speed Stick costs $1.25, whereas the same brand and size at Walmart costs a whopping $6.95 if you buy a single instead of a multipack.
7. Canned Food
Buying canned food at the dollar store is a great way to save money.
For example, Del Monte green beans are $1.25 at Dollar Tree and over $2 at Walmart and other stores.
8. Birthday Cards
Birthday and other greeting cards can give you sticker shock with prices of around $5 at many stores.
However, Dollar General offers a nice selection of birthday and other greeting cards for only $1.00 to $1.25 each. Some even offer two cards for one dollar!
9. Craft Items
Whether you are teaching a class, doing projects with your kids, or just enjoying crafting as a hobby, the cost of craft supplies can add up quickly.
You will be surprised at the variety of craft items, such as poster paper, paints, brushes, glitter, and much more, that you can find at Dollar Tree for only $1.25 each.
We make it a point to shop for craft items for our small children. They have great options that allow us to complete a fun project on a rainy day for a reasonable price.
10. School Supplies
Like craft supplies, school supplies can also be expensive, especially if you have more than one child to shop for.
If your school supply list is long, the dollar store is a great place to shop for items such as pencils, pens, notebooks, folders, and more for only $1.25, with many being less in multipacks.
11. Plush Toys
You might not think there would be a big difference in the price of a 6-inch plush toy you pick out at Target or Walmart compared to a dollar store, but there is.
For example, a 6-inch plush dragon at Dollar General costs $5, and it will cost you at least twice as much on Amazon or at Walmart.
12. Balloons
No birthday party is complete without balloons, but buying them from traditional party supply stores can add up quickly.
If you check out the balloons at Dollar Tree, you can choose from the fancy foil balloons or 12 packs of latex balloons with stars, which are usually so expensive, for only $1.25.
13. Pregnancy Tests
Pregnancy tests can be expensive when you buy them from Walgreens, Walmart, or Target, especially if you need multiple tests to confirm.
At Dollar Tree, pregnancy tests are only $1.25 each, while the price at other stores ranges from $10 to $15.
14. Games
Games are a great way to enjoy time with friends and family but often come with a hefty price tag.
You will find a sweet deal on games at the dollar store. A large selection of games, like Uno, costs $1.25, compared to $9.99 at Walgreens and $4.97 at Walmart.
15. Pet Toys
If you have a furry friend, you know how much they enjoy toys and how expensive they can be.
At Dollar Tree, you can find many pet toy options, like rope toys and plush toys, for only $1.25 each, compared to the average price of $5 or more at other stores.
16. First Aid Supplies
You can fill your medicine cabinet at a dollar store with bandages, cotton swabs, pain relief tablets, and other health needs for a fraction of the cost of drug stores.
Various first aid supplies are available for only $1.25 each, while the same items can cost up to $5 at other stores.
17. Baskets
Organizing your home or office can be a time-saver, and it doesn’t have to break the bank. Baskets, bins, and containers cost $1.25 each.
Depending on the size and style, these organization and storage items can cost at least $10 at other stores.
18. Batteries
Sometimes, it seems everything in your home needs a battery, and you always need various sizes, not to mention how expensive batteries can be.
A four-pack of AA or AAA batteries can cost more than twice or three times as much at other stores compared to Dollar Tree’s price of $1.25. And we’ve found they last just as long.
19. Hardware
You might not think about finding hardware at a dollar store, such as nails, tape, and screwdrivers.
But whether you are fixing something in your home or doing a fun DIY project, you will be surprised at all the hardware items you can find cheaper at Dollar Tree.
I always buy caulk at the dollar store, as a tube at Lowe’s or Home Depot costs $5 or more. While the dollar store version is a little smaller, I prefer this as I usually am completing a small project and only use some of the caulk. While I could save it by inserting a nail in the tip, most times, it dries out, and it’s a project to free the good caulk still inside.
20. Lightbulbs
The price of lightbulbs has gone up in recent years, making it expensive to replace them when they burn out.
But at Dollar General, you can find a variety of sizes and types of lightbulbs, from regular 60-watt LED bulbs to nightlights and flood lights, for only $1.25 each.
21. Reading Glasses
You need more than one pair of reading glasses if you tend to misplace or lose them often, and they are one of the best buys you will find at Dollar Tree.
They have a wide range of strengths and styles to choose from, all for just $1.25 each, while they can cost anywhere from $5 to $25 at other stores such as Walmart, Target, and Walgreens.
22. Baking Needs
If you love to bake, you know that ingredients like cake or muffin pans and sugar or baking mixes can add up quickly when you buy them at grocery stores or specialty baking shops.
However, Dollar Tree has cake pans from $1.25 to $5 and baking mixes and supplies for only $1.25.
23. Extension Cords
How many times have you needed an extension cord but didn’t have one on hand? Or you had to pay a high price for one at a hardware store?
You can find a 6 ft extension cord at Family Dollar for $1.25; at that price, you can buy extras to have on hand if you need them.
24. Toothbrushes
Whether you are packing your bags for a fun family vacation or just stocking up on essentials, you won’t want to pass up a four-pack of toothbrushes for $1.25.
You can also pick up toothpaste and other dental needs while you are at it.
25. Cleaning Supplies
The cost of the various cleaning supplies like toilet cleaner, bathroom cleaner, and window cleaner can easily exceed $20 depending on where you shop.
To save money, shop for these items at the dollar store, where you will save a significant amount of money.
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