Dollar Store Deals: 20 Best Bargains for a Buck!
With the economy tightening further everyday, most of us are looking for ways to save a buck. But is the dollar store a good savings strategy?
Yes! There are great savings to be found in the dollar store if you know where to look.
Yes! There are great savings to be found in the dollar store if you know where to look.
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Why?
If you have never shopped at a dollar store before, my question is why?
Did you know that the 20 best buy items on my list all range in savings from 60-90% off the full retail price at your local discount store? That's a lot of bang for a buck.
20 Top Dollar Store Deals that Won't Break the Bank
Save a Few Bucks and then Go Shopping at the Dollar Store FREE!
1. Cleaning Supplies
Nearly all the products on the cleaning aisle were deeply discounted from the prices I surveyed at my local discount store. Some were name brands and some were not, and quality varied but was acceptable to exceptional in most cases.Average Savings: 60-80%
Best Bets: Fabric softener, fabric softener sheets, air freshener, glass cleaner, oil soap, liquid scouring powder and bathroom cleaner.
Exception: Liquid dish soap was over priced on a per ounce basis.You can do better on sale, with a coupon at your local Walmart or Target.
2. Personal Care Items
Products on the personal care aisle were a bargain across the board. Quality was varied, but a few name brands were available in this section. The generics I tested were of acceptable quality.Average Savings: 65-75%
Best Bets: Liquid soap (particualarly the name brands), bar soap, shampoo, conditioner, bubble bath, deodorent, lotion and some toothpastes. Also a good deal of value in the personal care sets, makeup (if drugstore brand quality is acceptable to you), hair scruchies and clips, bursh and comb sets, and barettes for girls.
3. Gift Wrap, Gift Bags, Cards, Mylar Balloons and Party Supplies
Another great value was found on gift wrap, gift bags, cards, mylar balloons and party supplies. Most dollar stores have a large selection of party and gift wrap items. When I price checked against the local party supply the savings was spetacular and came in at 85-90%.Although the selection is less that at the party supply, it is possible to outfit an entire kids birthday party complete with decorations and balloons for less than $15!
The selection of holiday and Christmas gift wrap and bags is another big money saver.
Average Savings:85-90%
Best Bets: Gift wrap, gift bags, mylar balloons, party decorations, party supplies, and kids party favors.
4. Food Storage Containers
Well, the quality isn't exactly Tupperware and built to last forever, but I have had dollar store containers that last for years and years. Food storage containers come in every shape and size imaginable and last long enough to justify the cost.Bonus Savings Tip: Give the earth and your pocketbook a break and buy enough reusable container for packing lunches and food storage. You'll be surprised how much money you will save in the long run, and the earth will thank you!
Average Savings: 85-90%
Best Buys: Most items in this section are a good value. Check the quality and pass on any items that do not look like they will last for at least 6 months to 1 year. Also check to be sure that items are dishwasher safe, a few are not.
5. Kitchen Gadgets
OK, so I'll be honest, some of the items in this section are not the greatest quality. The kitchen gadgets you buy here will not likely last you forever, but for the person who cooks minimally or sporadic use, you will save a small fortune. Really, how often do you use a pastry brush? Unless you bake all the time, it just doesn't make a lot of sense to spend a lot of resources on an item that will be used a couple of times a year.Most items in the kitchen gadgets are a good value. Even with fairly regular use you will get your money's worth and sometimes a lot more.
Average Savings: 90%
Best Bets: Items for occassional use, wooden spoons, spatulas, pizza cutters, pastery brushes, and cooking utensils.
Exceptions: Pass on any item that has a strong chemical odor, or that is of dubious quality.
6. Dishes and Glassware
You are never quite sure what may show up in a dollar store. I have seen dishes, serving dishes, glassware, serving dishes, vases and many other items that were of surpisingly high quality.If you are a single person or just starting out on your own buying just what you need is a good option.
Average Savings: 85%
Best Bets: Keep your eyes open for the good stuff and don't wait to buy when you see it. Merchandise moves through quickly and won't be there in a day or two most of the time. I was lucky enough to score some covered Pyrex baking dishes and large custard cups on my last trip.
7. Baskets
Dollar stores usually have a huge selection of baskets, and they styles availiable change frequently. Baskets are a great way to stay organized and decorate on a dime...well, OK, a buck.Average Savings: 70%
Best Bets: Take a good look before you buy. Some of the baskets are not even, have flaws, or may not sit flush on a flat surface. The thinner woven baskets often don't hold up as well as the heavier weaves.
8. Craft Supplies
Think craft supplies are just for the kids? Guess again. My last trip to a dollar store netted me 15 skiens of specialty yarn that the craft store next door was selling for nearly $5 a pop. An avid knitter, you can bet I appreciated the savings!What else will you find? Artificial flowers, scrapbooking supplies, felt tip markers, paints, poaster board, glue sticks, stamping supplies and much more.
Average Savings:80-90%
Best Bets: Just about everything, although some kids art supplies are manufactured in China. Use caution if you have little ones that are still young enough to put everything in their mouth since the warnings have been so much in the news lately.
9. Office and School Supplies
Office and school supplies are a good deal here when compared with the full retail price in discount stores like Walmart and Target. You can't go wrong if you need a few extra things throughout the school year.Average Savings:75%
Best Bets: Just about everything on this aisle is a good value, no worries about quality either.
Exceptions: While dollar stores offer huge savings throughout the school year, you'll do better at the back to school sales when discount stores use school supplies as loss-leaders to get you into the sotre. Stock up and buy enough to get you through the year and you'll save a bundle.
10. Calendars
About a week into the new year a good selection of calendars makes their way to the dollar sotre. This year, I was surprised to see the same one I had just purchased 5 minutes earlier at the dollar store on a display rack in the grocery store down the street for $10.Average Savings: 95%
Best Bets: Full size desk pad calendars are a real bargain from those in the office supply stores.
11. Books and Children's Books
While the selection is generally limited, you never know what might catch your interest. Children's books and coloring books, as well as books for teens and adults are particular values.Average Savings: 80%
Best Bets: Everything!
12. Hardware, Home Improvement and Basic Tools
While I wouldn't recommend tools from the dollar store for more than very limited use, buying the basics for emergencies makes good sense. If you are like me, and challenged with anything mechanical, I only keep the basics of a hammer, pliers, plunger and wrench around for extreme emergencies.I usually buy my night lights, light bulbs and extension cords at the dollar store and have never had any difficulties with anything purchased there. For safety, be sure to check your extension cords and anything electrical before use, just in case.
Average Savings: 80%
Best Bets: Night lights, flash lights, low energy light bulbs, extension cords, and basic tools for light use.
13. Gardening Tools and Seeds
Gardening tools and seeds are a fantastic bargain at the dollar store. Some dollar stores also carry bulbs, potted herbs and potted plants. All are a good value for the money and will help you stretch your budget.Average Savings: 70-90%
Best Bets:Gardening tools, bulbs, potted plants and potting soil.
14. Picture Frames
Have you seen the price of wood and metal frames in the dicount stores lately? Most are at least $7 or more. The dollar store offers a big selection of 5 X7 and 8 X10 fames in interesting shapes, colors and styles.Average Savings: 90%
Best Bets: All frames and mats.
15. Seasonal and Holiday
I love the dollar store for seasonal and holiday items. They have great values for decorations, candy and other season products.Here's a bonus tip: all seasonal items are maked down 50% the day after the holiday. I usually buy extra Christmas ornaments, decorations and gift wrap the day after the holiday for extra savings.
Average Savings: 85-95% depending on if you buy on clearance or "full price."
16. Socks, Gloves, Scarves and Hats
You'll be surprised at the variety of socks, gloves, scarves and hats that the dollar store carries. Amazingly, the quality is good and many of the brands are carried in discount stores. Pick and choose to weed out the items of less desirable quality, and you will see some brands you recognize come through when they are availiable as closeouts.Average Savings: 90%
Best Bets: Discountinued and closeout major brands when they are availiable.
Exceptions: Look out for lower quality items.
17. Umbrellas
I happen to live in a warm climate where it rains rarely, so a lower quality folding umbrella is fine for the few times a year I use it. If you live in a windy or wet climate, you may want to forgo light weight umbrella for something sturdier. Otherwise, dollar store umbrellas are great for those of us who don't use them much. 18. Sunglasses
If you don't need perscription sunglasses, dollar store sunglasses are a good value for the money. Don't expect them to last forever or be super stylish, but if you are forever losing them or scratching the lenses.Average Savings: 85%
Best Bets: Most sunglasses if you don't mind the lack of style or expect them to last more than a season. Keep an eye out for scratched lenses and loose frame hinges.
19. Reading Glasses
If you can get by with just reading glasses and don't yet need perscription lenses, the reading glasses at the dollar store will save you 90% off discount stores and pharmacies.Average Savings: 90%
Best Bets: All.
20. Groceries
Whew!! Last but certainly not least, the grocery bargains in some dollar stores are absolutely spectacular.Grocery deals in the dollar store needs a whole lens of it's own! Look for it soon.
Average Savings: 50-90%
Here's my favorite link:
More Money Saving Resources
These books are the best of the best. I've read every one of them and each has made me a better shopper and more aware consumer.
The Frugal Millionaires - 70 millionaires anonymously share their ideas about money to help each other and you. (Retail: $21.95)
Amazon Price: (as of 01/02/2010) 
Frugal Living for Dummies
Amazon Price: $11.55 (as of 01/02/2010)
5 Meals for $5 - How to Feed 5 People 5 Meals for $5.00 - $8.00 or Less! You Don't Need to Be Wealthy To Eat Healthy
Amazon Price: $6.98 (as of 01/02/2010)
The Complete Tightwad Gazette
Amazon Price: $15.61 (as of 01/02/2010)
What's Your Best Dollar Store Deal?
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- grocerysmarts grocerysmarts Feb 9, 2009 @ 12:31 am
- I once found an infant fleece hat and mitten set that was being sold at the discount store just down the street for $15.
Save a Few Bucks and then Go Shopping at the Dollar Store FREE!
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