(photo credit: wikipedia)
I grew up in Fairbanks, Alaska and we didn’t have a dollar store. It was a $1.50 store or something like that – to cover the high cost of shipping to the middle of nowhere. So I never really grew up with the novelty of an entire store filled with items costing $1.
In the last couple years I’d like to think I’ve refined my shopping strategies at the dollar store. I use the term dollar store loosely, not in the brand name sense but using dollar store to refer to any store that sells items for a dollar. There are many different dollar store chains, including Dollar Tree, Dollar Store, Dollar General, Family Dollar, etc.
I wanted to share a list of my favorite items to buy at my local Dollar Tree.
Sunday newspapers – Although I have five News Tribune papers delivered to my house for $1 a copy, when I want additional papers, I will stop by the dollar store to pick up additional copies. New stand price would be $2, but they are $1 at the dollar store. I also like to pick up Advanced Editions of the Seattle Times, available on Saturday, to get a sneak peak at the ads and coupons (although the Seattle Times doesn’t carry the Red Plum insert).
Party supplies, balloons – Whether it’s plates, utensils, decorations, favors, etc – they have great deals on party supplies. At least 30%-70% less than Target or Party City you will save a bundle. For my son’s 1-year birthday we did a luau theme and we got all our decorations at the dollar store – leis, blow-up flamingos and monkeys, pineapple center pieces, etc. I recommend checking here first when you are starting your party planning. Helium balloons are also a great deal at the dollar store.
Gift bags – Hands down, the best place to buy gift bags. Instead of paying $3-5 at Target or some other store, check the Dollar store first.
Coloring books, flash cards, books – I bought a couple sets Sesame Street flash cards (letters and numbers) at the dollar store that were nearly identical to some I saw at Target for $3.99 each! They work just the same. Coloring books are also a great deal. Some dollar stores even have hardcover books.
Greeting cards – You can usually find greeting cards for 2 for $1 or 3 for $1. With cards costing $2-5 at the grocery store or at Hallmark, this is a big savings.
Some household items – Things like sink strainers, cleaning brushes, clothespins (which I use for chip clips), and organization bins (smaller ones) are great to pick up at your local dollar store.
Pregnancy tests – Okay, I know, it sounds sketchy. But these seem to work, just like the ones you’d pay $8-12 for at other stores. I’ve heard rave reviews and you can even pick up a couple (to double check), and still save a bundle.
Garage sale supplies – As spring rolls around you’ll be able to pick up pricing stickers and garage sale signs at the dollar store.
Emergency kit supplies – As I mentioned in my post about emergency kits, there are plenty of items you can pick up at your local dollar store. I found matches, scissors, twine/rope, etc.
A few tips about dollar stores:
- Some take manufacturer coupons. Here in Washington, the Dollar Tree does NOT take manufacturer coupons. Call ahead to see if your local store does.
- Watch for recalls, especially on toys. I don’t know why, but I feel like the dollar toys seems to end up on recall lists a lot (this might just be my perception), so watch for recalled items. Also, I am personally careful not to buy items that me or my family would wear, have on our skin (like bubble bath, lotions, etc) or be around our food (like dishes, plastic storage ware, etc). This is a personal choice only because I feel like there isn’t a lot of regulation in the chemicals that end up in these kinds of super cheap items. I have not researched this at all, it’s just my perception. What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this.
- Check often, inventory changes – Inventory changes regularly and seasonally, so stop in every once in awhile to see what’s new.
What are your favorite things to buy at the dollar store?
Ginny Abdallah says
Dollar Tree takes coupons in Spokane. I use then all the time.
Ginny Abdallah says
Dollar Trees take coupons in Spokane.
jolene says
I buy my kids toys for road trips then wrap them (w/dollar store wrapping paper) and we hand them out as they get fussy. It keeps them busy and if they get left behind at a rest stop or hotel it doesn’t bother me. I also buy cleaning supplies there if I run out between sales. I buy my Sunday papers there on Saturday night.
Traci says
I love shopping the dollar stores! One thing I want to add is that it’s a great place for craft supplies. I’ve bought vine wreaths, foam shapes, glue sticks, vases, the list goes on. I’ve glued a plate to a cup to make a plate stand, I’ve bought those cheesy bird figurines and painted them entirely a deep brown and it turned out ka-ute. What a transformation! There’s a website devoted to dollar store crafts. I love to see what people come up with!
Cerissa says
Pregnancy Tests all the way! And I have 4 boys to prove it š
Karrie@HappyMoneySaver says
I too have used pregnancy kits from the dollar store. My mom is a nurse for a ob/gyn office and she told me that the kits are made just the same as the ones that cost $8-$10.
Thanks so much for this great post – I agree 100% with everything you said – there are so many great things to buy at the dollar store.
Angela says
I’m cracking up about the pregnancy tests…I suspected I was pregnant, didn’t want to pay a kazillion $$ for a test, got one at Dollar Tree and it was positive…now here I am 7 months pregnant!! My husband was pretty skeptical too but they definitely work! š To me it’s a no-brainer. I love the dollar store when I’m putting together gift baskets…I can find lots of little filler stuff and even the baskets sometimes.
Sheila M. says
Packaging tape…I leave one in my car so that I don’t get stuck at the post office needing to mail a package and having to buy tape there.
Red Vines…great for movie nights.
Poster board…for school projects.
lee says
Oh, another cool idea for Dollar Store finds- they have really cute gift bags and you can often find a decent photo frame. Cut out the cute picture from the gift bag and frame it…. instant art for your walls.
lee says
Yep, doctors suggest Dollar Store pregnancy tests.
Brenda says
What’s “sketchy” about a dollar store pregnancy test??? You dip a stick in pee and it says yay or nay! Like Amber said, some may not give you a positive result as early in your cycle. Other than that I think the biggest complaint people have is you have to pee in a cup first. Ummmm… for a $10 saving I’d pee in a cup any day! I was SOOOOO ticked when my local store stopped selling them when I was trying to get pregnant with my youngest š
Abbi says
Dollar tree pregnancy tests worked for me too! I was sick of paying $8 a pop for the tests. But even after 2 positives in a row with the $1 tests, my husband insisted on getting a “real” pregancy test and guess what? I was still pregnant!
I agree with you on all the items you mentioned. Another thing to check is the food aisle. A few months ago I found muir glen organic fire roasted tomatoes at 2 cans/ $1. These are my absolute favorite tomatoes and I bought many cans of them, they did expire this past moth but I finished them off anyway. They usually sell for about $3-$4 a can so it was a great bargain and something that i don’t usually buy because of the price.
ShannonP says
As for the pregnancy tests, the little line (pink/blue/double/or otherwise) is just a chemical reaction detecting pregnancy hormones in your body. As I told my mom when she thought I was nuts for getting a dollar store pregnancy test, a chemical reaction is a chemical reaction. The ones that detect earlier I believe have a stronger proportion of chemicals, but I haven’t researched it in a while, so I don’t remember if that is a correct explanation.
I love dollar stores for cards and party decorations, too! Also, school supplies in the “off season” can be had for much cheaper than Target or Walmart.
Amber H says
I commented on FB, but will add my two cents here about the pregnancy tests as well. They absolutely work as well as the pricier ones. They might not work as well as early detection ones, but they aren’t meant for that. I found out I was pregnant with my daughter with a dollar tree pregnancy test, so they are accurate & the only ones I buy now!
Angela says
I agree with you on the party supplies! I never go anywhere else for helium balloons. I will buy dishes there, but I always sanitze them with a bleach water mixture before I use them, and I don’t use them for everyday. I will also get holiday items there. I can find cheap items for Easter baskets, Thanksgiving, or other holidays that I don’t care if things are cheap. š
Cheri F. says
I can vouch for the pregnancy tests at the Dollar Tree. A girlfriend told me about it when I was trying to get pregnant with my first. It was her doctor who actually recommended them to her. 2 kids later, I’ve never had a incorrect reading and the postive results showed up very early in the pregnancy! I have recommended Dollar Tree pregnancy tests to many friends. š
Jaylene says
I was with you straight through to the pregnancy test. Really???? That seems so sketchy! You are trustworthy though so I will trust you. Since we are done having kids I will never get to try it out but it would have been a fun experiment to compare…
Heather says
I know – crazy right? I’m telling you they work.
Audrie says
I swear by these. I’ve used them. Go to the pregnancy forum on Craigslist and those ladies will swear by them, too.
@Heather. Love those cheap balloons!!! Such a good deal.
Riann says
They really do work!! I had the inkling that I was preggo while at work and they only place I could get to on my lunch was Dollar Tree. I bought two, just in case, and both were positive! I took two more when I got home, more expensive ones from Costco, and they were positive too. I once saw a woman buying like 15 at once!