If you’re like us, you probably think a dollar store is a place where you can get pretty much anything. However, there are times when you’re better off spending a few extra dollars to make sure you have a quality item that will last. It’s not always good to buy something worse just to save a few bucks. Still, you can find some amazing bargains at the dollar store. If you want to see what and what not to get from the dollar store, read on.
Coffee Filters
This is one bargain you’ll always appreciate. It’s a good idea to keep some extra coffee filters at home or at the office to make sure you never run out. Get them at the dollar store – you’ll be able to buy more and ensure you don’t run out anytime soon.
Coffee Filters
Hair Accessories
Anything to do with hair accessories, you can find at the dollar store for a bargain. Combs, brushes, headbands, bobby pins… you name it! While trends come and go, it’s good to buy these sorts of things for cheap.
Hair Accessories
Plastic Buckets
At some point, plastic buckets will come in handy. After all, they can be used to wash your car, clean the house, and carry other things as well. What more can you ask for when you can buy these for so cheap?
Plastic Buckets
Dish Towels And Washcloths
You cannot beat the dollar store prices for dishtowels and washcloths. We all know these eventually get stained for good, so it’s a better plan to buy them for cheap rather than spend more money than you need to.
Dish Towels And Washcloths
Greeting Cards
If you get others greeting cards regularly, you probably already know they’re not worth paying much for. Why spend $5 on a card when you can buy five of them for the same price at the dollar store?
Greeting Cards
Picture Frames
Want to show off some of your family pictures in your house or at the office? Buy some basic picture frames at the dollar store and then decorate them yourself! You can make it into a mini DIY project and let your creativity show.
Picture Frames
Socks
Trust us when we say that the socks you find at the dollar store are just as good as those you’ll see at the department store. Not to mention, there’s a high chance you’ll lose one of those socks in the future, so why spend more?
Socks
Party Supplies
When you’re planning on throwing a party, the best thing you can do is buy all the cups, straws, paper plates, streamers, and balloons from the dollar store. You can save up to 70% of the costs on these items this way.
Party Supplies
Pregnancy Tests
Buying drugstore tests at the pharmacy can cost around $10-$15. Well, you can get others that work just as well for only a dollar. We guarantee you that they’re just as reliable as the expensive ones.
Pregnancy Tests
Vase And Decorative Bowls
Buy all those bowl and vases at the dollar store. You’ll find a variety of styles and prices, so there’s no doubt you’ll find something to match the design of your house. In any case, people will be focused on the flowers themselves.
Vase And Decorative Bowls
Plastic Food Containers
For the most part, stores sell plastic food containers for about $5 apiece. Good thing you can get a great deal on them when you go to the dollar store instead. You might even find 4 containers for $1.
Plastic Food Containers
Chocolate And Candy
When you’re looking for a sweet tooth fix, skip the supermarket and go to the dollar store instead. This is also a great idea for Halloween. The one thing you should keep an eye out for is the expiration date on the food.
Chocolate And Candy
Notebooks
While notebooks aren’t all that expensive, when buying them in bulk, they can quickly add up. Instead of paying $5-$10 for each one, just pop by the dollar store when you need some new notebooks.
Notebooks
Storage Containers
The dollar store can be somewhat of a wonderland for people who adore organizing. You can get storage containers in so many colors, sizes, and prices. Since you don’t have to pay much money, this will help you keep your house nice and neat.
Storage Containers
Mugs And Glasses
Just like bowls and vases, glasses and mugs from the dollar store will do great. Another upside is the fact that you can buy just the amount that you need without having to buy an entire set you don’t want.
Mugs And Glasses
Seasonal Décor
You’d be surprised at how large the selection of seasonal decorations the dollar store has. You can buy anything from scarecrows to Santa figures and Easter bunny statues. This is a great idea if you want to make your house look festive without breaking the bank.
Seasonal Decor
Dishware
With dishes, people typically want them to be simple and serviceable. The most practical thing to do is buy them from the dollar store. After all, clumsy people – especially kids – tend to break them more often than not.
Dishware
Tote Bags
Caring for the environment is important, and one way of doing so is by buying reusable bags. Then you can use them for your groceries instead of plastic bags. Of course, you can find good and cheap totes at the dollar store.
Tote Bags
Reading Glasses
Reading glasses that you buy at the dollar store will be just as good for your vision than the expensive branded ones. There’s no need to spend hundreds of dollars on a pair when you can get them for a fraction of the price.
Reading Glasses
Wrapping Paper, Gift Bags, Boxes
Let’s be honest, the wrapping paper and gift bag you use will only end up in the garbage after they’ve been used. There’s no need to spend a lot of money on expensive gift wraps. Use that money to get a nice gift instead.
Wrapping Paper, Gift Bags, Boxes
Deodorant
Now it’s time for us to talk about the things that you should never, under any circumstances, buy at the dollar store. For one, they have antiperspirant and deodorant for sale, but make sure to always check the size before buying them. There’s a good chance you’ll find a bigger version at the pharmacy for a similar price.
Deodorant
Toys
If they aren’t used too often, dollar store toys would be pretty awesome. However, don’t expect them to last all that long if they’re being used regularly. Be careful with these things since parts can come loose or break off and become a choking hazard.
Toys
Tools
When you have an emergency, cheap tools will do the trick. However, it’s always worth spending more money on these things. You’ll want tools that will last you for the long run and not break so easily.
Tools
Batteries
The batteries you’ll find at the dollar store will run out fast since they’re typically badly made. A lot of them don’t use modern formulations. It’s not uncommon that they’ll leak as well. When it comes to batteries, it’s better to go with reliable brand names.
Batteries
Knives
If you need knives that won’t do much, then feel free to buy some from the dollar store. They’ll be fine for the occasional camping trip, but save yourself some frustration and buy a few good knives to have.
Knives
Earbuds, Headphones
While we understand the appeal of those cheap headphones that only cost a dollar or two. But, you should know that they usually have terrible sound. Just buy a good pair that cost $10 to $20 at a major retailer. These will last you so much longer than the cheap ones.
Earbuds, Headphones
USB Chargers
If you’re on the market for cheap chargers that won’t give your devices the TLC they need, then head to the dollar store. However, you’ll be very disappointed if you wanted to charge your electronics to the fullest. Those chargers usually don’t have enough juice for your devices. That, or they’ll charge much more slowly.
USB Chargers
HDMI Cables
It’s fair to say that a lot of places overcharge for HDMI cables. We aren’t surprised that a lot of people are tempted to save money by going to the dollar store instead. While they’re much cheaper, the truth is that these cables are much more likely to break. You’re better off looking online for a good deal.
HDMI Cables
Plastic Cooking Utensils
The Las Vegas Review-Journal has exposed in the past that there are plastic utensils with toxic chemicals. For this reason, you should stick to buying stainless steel utensils even if they’re more expensive.
Plastic Cooking Utensils
School Supplies
Are you looking for Post-it notes that don’t stick? Some leaky pens? Then head to the stationary section at the dollar store. To be fair, there are some good-quality school supplies over there. However, it’s been said that you’re better off buying things in bulk when they have good offers at big stores to save money.
School Supplies
Double-Sided Tape
Back to the things you should buy at the dollar store, double-sided tape is great. You can get 130 inches of tape at the dollar store for a great price. It’s shorter than the 450-inch role sold at Staples for $4.70, but it’s still 1/5 cent cheaper per inch.
Double Sides Tape
Cotton Swabs
Why waste your money on cotton swabs in CVS when you can get the same product at the dollar store? In CVS, a box of 170 swabs is sold for $2.79. It might not be the actual Q-tips brand at the dollar store, but it makes no difference in the quality of the product.
Cotton Swabs
Paper Clips
At the dollar store, you can find a pack of 100 vinyl-coated colored paper clips for just a dollar. Other places, you’d find a pack of 60 for as much as $2.49. This way you get more while spending less.
Paper Clips
Clay Flower Pots
One fun and creative thing to do is decorate flower pots for all kinds of things at home. You can find them at the dollar store and buy a few for your project. Not to mention, these make the perfect gift!
Clay Flower Pots
Holiday Decorations
With every holiday season, there are new decorations to fill the aisles in the stores. Don’t fret, however – at the dollar store, you can find all the seasonal decorations for cheap. These are always a fun addition to any home or office
Holiday Decorations
Mailing Labels
If you find yourself sending mail often, or even if you want to write someone a letter and make it look authentic, you can find packs of 10 mailing labels at the dollar store. The only other place you’d find these is at the post office, and it’ll cost much more.
Mailing Labels
Shaving Cream
Why would you want to spend $2.99 at CVS if you can find the same product at the dollar store? If you look well enough, you can even find expensive holistic items there. Make sure to check different stores and compare them before buying things!
Shaving Cream
Advil
Small packs of Advil at the pharmacy tend to always be incredibly expensive. At times, your headache is so bad that you don’t care about that money you spent. But you should head to the dollar store instead – you’ll find a three 2-count pack for just $1.
Advil
Balloons
For the most part, balloons don’t last all that long, so why spend so much money on it? They typically get thrown out after a day or two, so just head to the dollar store and you’ll find even twice the amount for the same price in other places.
Balloons
Band-aids
When it comes to band-aids, the brands don’t matter. By buying some at the dollar store, you’ll find that you can save up to 50% on the prices. These band-aids will be just as good, don’t worry.
Band-Aids
Pint Glasses
For just a dollar, you can buy a bunch of pint glasses like those that are sold in bars for so much more. This way, you won’t stress too much if one happens to break during your wilder nights with friends.
Pint Glasses
Board Games
If you’re looking for board games for the kids, go to the dollar store. Not only will you find them cheaper, but they also have a wide variety. You might even come across some licensed products like Disney.
Board Games
Bobby Pins
The tiny hair accessories always seem to get lost no matter how careful you are with them. So why spend your money on them when you know you’ll lose them? At the dollar store, you can stock up with a pack of 72 for just $1.
Bobby Pins
Bread
The Krazy Coupon Lady blog creators have recently discovered that Oroweat bread can be found at the dollar store for over a third less than its regular price. This is something you probably buy regularly, so it’s a huge money saver!
Bread
Cleaning Supplies
At supermarkets, cleaning supplies can be so overpriced that it gets frustrating. At the dollar store, you can find all kinds of expensive and popular brands like Tide and Clorox for more than half the normal price.
Cleaning Supplies
Cookie Sheets
Another blogger, the Crazy Craft Lady, has said that she buys her cookie sheets at her local dollar store, so we can trust her. They can be used for all kinds of things like DIY and other things in the kitchen as well.
Cookie Sheets
Index Cards
If you have kids, then you know just how often they go through a pack of index cards while studying. Well, the good news is that a pack of 100 cards is only $0.50 at the dollar store! You can also stock up with 12 packs for only $6.
Index Cards
Flashlight
While this item might not be the best quality, this mini flashlight can be really handy to have when the power happens to go out. This one also comes with a keychain, so it’s easy to hook onto your keys and carry around for emergencies. Of course, it’s also very cheap, so why not?
Flashlight
Flip Flops
There are plenty of people who swear by the super cheap flip-flops the dollar store sells. They’re great to have to use in college dorm room showers, around the house, or on the beach. Customers have said they’re great quality and last for years.
Flip Flops
Permanent Markers
Say goodbye to the name brand and go for a pack of four markers for the price of one. The quality will be the same. The only difference? You won’t make a huge dent in your wallet.
Permanent Markers
Baby Utensils
You can never be too sure about what’s used in the plastics sold at the dollar store. There’s a reason why these products are so cheap, so what chemicals do they contain? While you may be willing to take the chance with yourself, you should be careful when it comes to your baby and you may as well spend a bit extra to make sure your child is safe.
Baby Utensils
Hair Dye
Hair dye already has so many chemicals included in the product, but at the dollar store, they may be even worse. Nobody can know for sure what is contained in this product but it seems that the safest bet would to avoid it altogether.
Hair Dye
Phone Chargers
We all know what it’s like when to get so frustrated when your phone charger breaks down. This can be stressful, especially when you have no other chargers lying around, but whatever you do do not head for the dollar store! These chargers break easily and also don’t charge your phone properly. They may even ruin your phone battery.
Phone Chargers
Trash Bags
The dollar store doesn’t even offer the best deal on trash bags and you will probably find that they will end up breaking. They are made from cheap plastic that does not last a long time. The worst scenario is to get yourself into a situation where the trashbag rips in the middle of the road!
Trash Bags
Dishwasher Pods
You may spend more when you purchase this at the dollar store. While you can buy a pack for $1 at the Dollar Store, you can get 14 for $5 at Walmart or Target, which is a better deal in reality.
Dishwasher Pods
Sandwich Bags
Sandwich bags are an item that may annoy you more than you think. Those that are susceptible to wear and tear will rip to easily and end up being a waste of your money. Don’t waste your money on bags that will break easily and instead just buy them at the supermarket.
Sandwich Bags
Crayons
This one may be a bit random, but you should avoid buying off-brand crayons because you will find that they rarely work well. Their price is cheap but that’s because their quality is too. You may as well buy them at big-name stores where they will work better in the long term.
Crayons
Jewelry
While cheap jewelry can be awesome, blue arms from a rusty bracelet are something we all like to avoid. Dollar store jewelry is simply not worth buying, even if it is extremely cheap. Take your money and buy yourself something nice instead of something that will break or damage your skin.
Jewelry
Fabric Softener
You may be intrigued when you see cheap fabric softener, but this is something you should stay away from. With a coupon to stores like Walmart or Target you can buy the same price, but 2 times the amount!
Fabric Softener
Sunscreen
Now, this is something at the top of our list for products you should never buy at the dollar store. You never want to play around with your skin and risk getting a nasty burn. Sometimes the sunscreen at the dollar store ends up being expired so watch out for this!
Sunscreen
Baking Soda
Baking soda is sold at Costco and other big-name stores for only 85 cents per box. This is a bargain and doesn’t expire so you can go ahead and buy a big batch without worrying that you’re spending a fortune.
Baking Soda
Shampoo
Brand name shampoo and off-brand name shampoo have the same results, they just differ in the price. Why waste an extra 2$ on brand names when you get the same results! There no reason to go down this route.
Shampoo
Medication
You don’t always know what you’re putting in your body when you purchase medicine at the dollar store. They can sometimes be mislabeled or have ingredients that have not gone through the same protocol that big stores go through. Don’t take the chance with this one.
Medication
Spices
The dollar store has all kinds of spices in big amounts, for only $1 per spice. This is a bargain and if you cook a lot then you know what it’s like to go through your spices so fast! Just be careful that he expiration date is up to date.
Spices
Paper Towels
Paper towels and toilet paper do not always have the best material when you buy them at the Dollar store. They are usually flimsy and don’t clean the mess efficiently. You can also find this item at big grocery stores for better quality but cheaper prices.
Paper Towels
Packaged Food
You can find so many deals on canned food at the dollar store, and the best part is they don’t expire! Do you know what that means? Buying in bulk! They also have a selection of perishable items for very inexpensive but sometimes they may be expired.
Packaged Foods
Drinks
You may think you are getting an excellent deal on a liter of soda at the dollar store but, you can get two at the local grocery store. If you’re spending the same amount but getting less then you are getting ripped off!
Drinks
Pet Food
Animal owners know how it goes when it comes to their pets and why it’s important to feed your pet’s food that you know what is inside. Target and other chains also have great deals and discounts all the time.
Pet Food
Makeup
We can never be too sure about what is in the products we are using and this is the same for beauty products. We can not always trust the ingredients on the back, especially when they are cheaper versions. Be careful about choosing what to put on your face.
Makeup
Oven Mitt
The purpose of oven mitts is to ensure that your hands don’t get injured from the heat. However, the ones from the dollar store are typically made out of a thin material that will surely not protect your fingers.
Oven Mitt