I know a lot of people think that only junk can be purchased at the Dollar Tree or any all for a dollar store. Not necessarily true. There are several items that can be purchased that are truly good finds.
YES, there are things that are not deals as well. Some things I would never buy.
One just needs to pay attention!
My best buy items list!
Greeting cards - at most of the dollar stores here they are 2/$1.00!!! That is pretty darn cheap. Greeting cards can be extremely expensive. I have found many really cute cards there.
Reading glasses - all kinds of styles and the script is written on tag for $1. Most people I know that use readers have several pair (as they tend to lose them!). I have seen many cute styles there and for $1 - well. Why not?
Kitchen towels, placemats and hot pads - they have many really cute and pretty designs. Great for filling in a basket of goodies to add a bit of color and something useful.
Glasses, vases, dishware. It may not be the highest quality, but for someone just starting out or looking for an easy replacement - they are perfect.
Gift bags, ribbon, bows - for every occasion - no matter the size. Pretty fantastic
Some of the cleaning items, and health and beauty. Their Awesome cleaner is pretty darn good to have on hand. It does work well. (I still like my natural cleaners). Certain shampoos, conditioners, toothpaste, dish soap (some are full size), brand name bar soaps, peroxide, fabric softener sheets, dry bleach, deodorant, cleaning rags..................................even pregnancy tests!
Baskets and totes - there are lots of storage items of all types. No huge sizes, but many are great for storing and stacking items in closets and pantries. They make great containers for 'goodie bag' gifts at the holidays as well.
Our newer stores have a ton of crafting items. I recently saw lots and lots of yarn. There were paints and crafting items. Beads, glass bobbles, floral tape, silk flowers, markers............ tons of things to chose from.
Seasonal items - you name it you can find it for various holidays. Door decorations, table decorations, runners and table cloths, dish towels, tree decor, candies for the season, dishes and cups - just so much to chose from.
Candy & snacks - many a deal on various types of candy and even snacks. You have to pay attention - but many times you can find some brand names and even near normal size.
There are many, many practical items to find and use all for $1!!!!!!!!!!
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Now there are some things that you really need to pay attention to as you may not really be getting a deal.
There are now lots of brand name canned goods - but if you pay attention to your ads, odds are you will find deals on the same thing for less than a $1. You really need to watch and know your prices.
Beans and rice bags are always $1. Most times they are one pound bags - but many times they are two pound. That is a deal. It depends on the deals you can get at other stores. But a 2 lb. bag for a $1 is a steal in my book.
Watch the foods in the frozen/frig section if your store has one. They are smaller sizes and you really need to read the ingredients (not always what you think).
Spices can be had - some brand name. Just read the ingredients.
Back to school supplies - sure $1 is cheap, but many stores have super great back to school sales. I have purchased folders for .10 each and notebooks for .25 each, crayons (brand name) for .50 at other stores. Just look around and pay attention. Wall calendars are usually quite pretty and only $1. I already have a new one for 2022!!!! (I don't ever get free ones any more)
Batteries - be careful. I have purchased brand name batteries in 4 or 6 packs for $1 and they have been fine. Their off name ones don't last very long at all. Packs of watch batteries are wonderful. I buy a 6/8 pack for $1 and it lasts for a couple years for 2 different watches. Worth it to me.
Color books and reading books - can often find some good ones. Some color books are very thin - but others are nice size (lots of pages) and I have found some interesting hard back books as well. Word and puzzle books are a pretty good deal and make nice gifts.
The little solar yard lights are not bad. They can be good to have on hand to use in case the power goes out. Place outdoors and bring in at night for extra lighting!
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Things I generally won't buy!
Electronics - just don't trust them.
Be careful if buying holiday lights - many are not UL approved.
Toys - these can be iffy for sure. Not only are they extremely cheap in quality, but they may contain harmful coatings. A lot of stuff comes from other countries and they are aloud to add ingredients we are not! Like LEAD!!!!!!! Lot's of the toys have tiny and breakable pieces - that could end up in a littles mouth! (choking hazard).
****** Books, coloring books, colored pencils, puzzles, etc. seem fine!!!!
Just be careful!!!!
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So if you have a chance to go to a Dollar Tree or someplace similar - give it a check. Yes, you can get a deal or two if you just take the time to look around.
I do like it for crates/containers and kitchen towels for use at holiday time. I like the calendars and pocket planners. I buy my shampoo and deodorant there. If I can find full size dish soap - I get that to add to stock.
Greeting cards and IF I need a new gift bag - that is my place to go. (I reuse many bags!)
Our newest stores are in college areas - which will be useful for students on a budget. There are also people who live in food deserts and this may be the only place available - at least they can get SOME good items. Many people just do not have access to other places - these stores are a good alternative. So don't turn your nose up at them - they do have their place and they do have some good options.
YES there are deals to find.
Have fun searching and see what you can find!
Yes, I do enjoy my Dollar Tree stores. And yes you need to watch prices on canned goods. I do mostly get my curly noodles there because they are more at the regular stores. But I'm always in a hurry when I'm in there. I need to stop and smell the roses so to speak.
ReplyDeleteThe curly noodles are cheaper than the grocery. Yes, you need to take some time and walk around a bit. Trust me you leave some dollars there you didn't expect!!!!
DeleteLots of crafty things and such neat holiday stuff.
Our store sometimes has name brand bread and heavy whipping cream. We go about every three months with a list and buy all the greeting cards for 3-4 months. Specialty lightbulbs like for chandeliers and nightlights are a good deal, too. We also get our Himalayan pink salt there for a great price. If I know exactly what we need, not greeting cards though, we stop and Hubby runs in because it saves money by not letting me see all the things that seem to jump in my cart.
ReplyDeleteI get my night light bulbs there too. The Himalayan salt is a great buy. I have enough salt to last me for years!!! I stocked up when I first saw it!
DeleteSo many neat deals - just makes since to save where you can.
My favorite dollar tree item: the red Betty Crocker spatulas! They are super flexible and have held up longer than more "expensive" ones I've bought at Wal Mart! Use them all the time when cooking. I also get a wall calendar there each year. And one of the newer places in our area for a time had Cool Whip for half the price of all the grocery stores, which have been selling it for $2 and up (we live in upstate NY). Like you said, if you keep your eyes open on the unit price and item quality, you can get major deals!
ReplyDeleteThey do carry a lot of Betty Crocker utensils. I have some measuring cups I use in canisters.
DeleteThere are often many name brand items and they CAN be lesser than the grocery.
I love finding deals like that.
I often find some great deals at the Dollar store, but want to offer a word of caution ... When buying health goods, in particular, know that some "name brands" are often manufactured overseas, and are then able to be sold at the dollar price point. I discovered this after buying a tube of Crest toothpaste for $1. What I'd previously purchased elsewhere had a US manufacturing location; the $1 tube was manufactured in China. So, if it's something I'll eat, ingest, or use in or on my body, I DO check the manufacturing location.
ReplyDeleteIn these places it is always smart to READ the labels on every thing. You just never know.
DeleteThanks - a great reminder!!!!!
I agree with your favorites also. As I said earlier when you got new socks there...I have had really good wear out of their socks. I really like their frozen blueberries... can't beat the price. Also like their square boxes of tissues and all their OXY knock off products. Christmas time finds me getting little gifts there but they are still really nice...lets me remember extra people without breaking the budget. The one nearest me is so clean, well stocked and we'll managed. However, the one the next town over is so dirty and stinky I won't go there anymore and it's a much bigger town.
ReplyDeleteAll the stores are different. Our new one is wonderful - but it is new. The one I used to go to a lot just got so dirty and messy and I quit going (after complaining). I drove further to find a clean store - now I don't have to!!!!!
DeleteI do the same - neat little containers for items, plates for cookies, card games for the kids, scrubbies for the bath, wine glasses to go with a bottle of sparkling juice, etc.
I love their socks and footies - nice quality.
I haven't tried any frozen stuff yet - will give it a try.
You can get some great deals at the Dollar Tree and like you said, you just need to know your prices. I think the bread there is a fantastic deal.
ReplyDeleteIt is usually brand name and fairly expensive bread - so yes, $1 is great!
DeleteWatch and know - that is the phase that pays!!!!
I do my beans and rice at dollar tree, also glasses, even the expensive ones break. Love the cards and party supplies, and the Awesome cleaner is my favorite!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right - even the expensive ones break. Better to lose a cheap one.
DeleteI agree there are some great deals to be had. Our Dollar Tree has prices of $1.25 and $1.50...that's the Canadian dollar. :)
ReplyDeleteHuh, fun facts to know and tell!!!!!1
DeleteCool - I never can get the exchange thing down.
I agree with most of what you wrote. However, the $1 reading glasses are just magnifiers, and if you really depend on readers, you'll probably be more satisfied with ground glass. I bought a package of 3 at Costco for under $20 and they do go on sale for about $13. I found that I was less inclined to misplace good quality reading glasses...maybe others won't, but I'm just sayin'.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I have a rule about buying food from the US and Canada. One item I always buy at DT is Hanover baked beans. They are comparable to Bush's original and made in the USA.
I didn't realize that about the reading glasses. I don't buy them, just notice that a lot of people do. Good to know - thanks.
DeleteSame here on the food. You really need to watch place of origin. I have had Hanover beans and they are good.
I usually buy my artificial flowers at the dollar store, but while less expensive (and the only place I can now find them) do cost more than $1.
ReplyDeleteIn Canada very little can actually be purchased at a Dollar Store for that price. Most are $1.25 or more.
God bless.
That is the only place I buy silk flowers. I get them for the graves a couple times a year. They last nicely.
DeleteIt is amazing the difference a few miles can make in prices!
Some of the Dollar Tree stores have gotten kind of nasty and dirty. Good thing you have a new one to shop at and it's close by. I definitely buy greeting cards in there and storage containers and baskets, if they have them. Most of the canned goods can be purchased at grocery stores at a better price. I have also purchased little mesh bags of decorative rocks which I put around the trays on my houseplants. They are a lot more at the usual craft stores. I keep little spiral bound notebooks and a pen and pencil in each vehicle.
ReplyDeleteYes many of the stores around here have gotten bad looking. Complaining doesn't seem to matter - as it appears to be bad management.
DeleteI love the new one.
There are just so many neat little finds to be had. I keep those glass rocks in my bee water bowl.
Last year I gave a little elderly friend an assortment of cards from the Dollar Tree. A lot of them were blank cards with beautiful pictures and then a few others that I thought she would like. I got 20 cards for 10.00 and bought her 20 stamps at the Post Office. Wrapped it all up in a cute box and slipped it into a gift bag. She was over joyed. She lives on a fixed income and has a hard time getting out to get things like cards and stamps. In fact I received a thank you card the next week from her. lol
ReplyDeleteThat was a huge help for her! That was one of the hardest things for my Mom after she had to stop driving.
DeleteCrystal what a wonderful gift! So thoughtful. I bet that she sure did appreciate it.
DeleteLana my Mom was the same - so we got her boxes of cards to send out
DeleteKeep an eye out for family size boxes of Cheerios. They have shrink sized the box down by an ounce and I saw on blogs today that the old ones seems to have gone to Dollar Tree.
ReplyDeleteGreat tip!!!!! That would be a great value.
DeleteI've been buying my knock off brand swiffer cloths there for years. But in the last year or two I noticed that instead of 20 you only get 15. Grrrr....wasn't happy about that sneaky little change. I still buy them though, cause even for just 15, you can't beat the price.
ReplyDeleteThe ever shrinking product!!! Sure seems to happen to lots of things and has been happening for a while now.
DeleteThat is still a pretty good deal. I have been buying micro fiber cloths there and I use them on the swifter. I can wash them over and over.
My best buy at a dollar store is the 1.9L liquid soap refill for $2 awa the greeting cards.
ReplyDeleteGreat buy on liquid soap!
DeleteCards are an amazing price.
Buyer beware when buying pet foods. DT products made in China were causing dogs to become ill or death.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I have never purchased pet food there nor treats.
DeleteGood to know. Read those labels for sure!
Spray the silk flowers for cemeteries with with Scotchguard-really helps them last longer.
ReplyDeleteThanks - that is a wonderful tip!
DeleteNo Dollar Tree here but we do have Dollar General. I stock up on cards and gift bags; check out the food section for deals; the occasional better toy or gift item. I did find canning lids there last year in the midst of the panic.
ReplyDeleteHeck, use whatever inexpensive store you have. It's all GOOD!
DeleteCan't beat the price on cards and wrapping stuff. Our Dollar General doesn't have lids - but many do. Lady at our store said no city stores carried them in IN - just more rural stores. I have heard lots of people say they got them there. I used to, but not any more.
Pays to look around for sure.