I was about 10 years old when the first Dollar Store came to my home town ( it was a $.99 store). I remember thinking it was the best store on earth, no more looking at price tags. It was if I was instantly wealthy and could have what ever I wanted, tossed it in the cart because after all it was only a dollar. But soon found it was easy to rack up quite a bill of those “only a dollar” deals. I am still a fan of the dollar store but have also learned that there are lots of hidden bargains to be found… but also tons of not so good deals.
One of my frugal friends recommended the site Learn Vest, they send out a daily email with money tips, crafts, decorating ideas… frugal living. I have to say I really enjoy their articles and find them useful… best part they are not spammy or filled with ads.
This week they wrote a great guide of Hot items to be found at the dollar store, and items to pass up or leave at the store. I found it very useful and thought you may enjoy it as well. But I can not cut and paste the list so If you want to take a peek at it you will need to head over to Learn Vest. Their site is free to join, but does require an email (you can always use your coupon email, if you want to keep you inbox clear..but I rather enjoy their updates) In the search bar, in the top right type in:Dollar Store Deals: Which Ones Are Worth It?
Do you like the dollar store? What do you like to buy there?
Thanks Coupon Wizard
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I bought some very nice glasses at the dollar tree. They look just like the one Embassy Suites use, anyway the one I went to at the luncheon. At Dollar general and Family dollar I have found some t-shirts that lasted for years. I have bought srink wrap at the dollar tree. This is usually around Easter. It did a great job on the little paintings I covered to sale. No one was the wiser. I have bought lots of other stuff too. I have to be really in control of me, because I love buying any kind of dishes or glass ware; at yard sales, thrift stores, it doesn’t matter.
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Our Dollar Tree has spicy peanuts for $1 and these make a great snack. I think the amount I get for the price is excellent.
I do have to disagree with this article in particular on 2 items.
They asprin and other meds~Last year I was able to pick up big boxes of chlorespetic lozenges for $1 a piece
Also the batteries~I often find raovaq (sp) batteries and sunbeam batteries both good brands at the dollar tree. A dollar tree is like any store you have to check ingredients and expiration dates on stuff like this.
There’s a need to distinguish between stores like “Family Dollar” and real “Dollar stores”. A true dollar store carries nothing over $1. Other stores with “dollar” in the name may have products costing well over $1.
I work in a dollar store and for the most part this article pretty accurate. It does miss a lot of things that are good deals. Here are a few things I’ve seen in my store and have tried that are worth it for $1 or not.
Aluminum roasting pans – perfect for the holidays.
Zip lock bags, paper plates, styrofoam and plastic cups.
Toilet paper and facial tissue – the quality is there if needed in a pinch but the quantity in the packaging isn’t always the best.
Trash bags – but there are some brands that are tissue thin so you have to watch out.
Spices – most are pretty good but some have a high quantity of salt in them. Most of the baking or leaf type spices are ok.
Personal items – sometimes you can find name brands. I would buy those but stay away from names you don’t recognize especially with anything that goes on your hair or skin.
Food items – I would be especially careful. Always check the expiration dates and some things aren’t cheaper than a regular store.
Most of the toys are cheap and not made to last. Use caution when buying for small children as parts break off and can be choked on easily.
This is also a good time of the year to buy socks, gloves, scarves and hats.
I could go on and on… One thing to remember is just because it’s “only $1″ does not always make it a good deal and read your labels carefully.
The last “Extreme Couponing” was done at Family Dollar. She did get some pretty good deals.
I always buy fresh produce, organic Honest Ade juices for cheap (59 cents compared to 1.29+ per bottle), and snacks like Crackerfuls, Nabisco 100 calorie snack packs etc.
Thanks for the post. I am going to check it out right now.
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