Many shoppers consider the Dollar Store an incredibly enchanting place to hunt for bargains.
However, sometimes it is a far more logical idea to just pay full price when considering reliability and overall quality. Realistically compromising on quality simply for the sake of savings is not always the best solution. On the other hand, there are a ton of useful items that can be purchased at the Dollar Store.
Searching for the following items at the Dollar store is recommended.
1. Coffee filters
Coffee Filters
For most of us coffee is a morning necessity and waking up fully is not entirely possible without that magical morning cup. For this reason, you could purchase your coffee filters at the Dollar Store to take advantage of significant savings and enjoy your morning coffee without having to spend a ton on the disposable items. While you might think that quality coffee filters will have a significant impact on the quality of your coffee, most of us would not be able to tell the difference.
2. Hair accessories
Hair accessories may not be disposable items although when considering just how easily they get misplaced you should rather shop for your trendy hair necessities the frugal way. From bobby pins to headbands and brushes you can find almost all your favorite hair accessories at a lower price. Unless you are committed to pulling your couches apart every time that you lose your stunning hairpin, the budget variety will keep your hair working without fail.
Hair Accessories
3. Plastic buckets
Buckets of every shape and size will prove extremely useful for several things. However, why pay full price on standard design plastic buckets when you can opt for a cheaper version without compromising on quality? It is not like people have many fancy uses for plastic buckets, and if you want to make anything from jam to washing fruit from your orchard, an ordinary plastic bucket will do the job. Buckets get dirty quickly, and plastic is an easy material to clean.
Plastic Buckets
4. Dish towels and washcloths
The Dollar Store truly has no competition when it comes to the price of these handy items. When considering that your dish towels and washcloths will not stay new and shiny for very long you should avoid paying a high price on them. This way you won’t have to feel bad the next time your brand new dish towel lands up with a mammoth stain on it. Cleaning the kitchen will generally be a messy job, and some stains cannot come out.
Dish Towels And Washcloths
5. Greeting cards
Why spend over $5 for a gift card when you can spend far less and still get the message across? Alternatively, why buy one pricey gift card when you can actually but 5 for the same price? This is especially convenient if you have a large family or many friends are dedicated to wishing them every time. Your birthday wishes should not cost you too much, as it is the message that counts, after all!
Greeting Cards
6. Picture frames
Whether you prefer simple picture frames or are after something a bit more creative you should take advantage of the low price of the standard picture frames at the Dollar Store. Add a bit of paint and decorations and you have yourself a new hobby and unique picture frames! Your most precious memories and moments are important, and you should put more effort into preserving them in a special and meaningful way with a creative touch.
Picture Frames
7. Socks
When taking into account just how easily socks get lost you really can’t justify a higher price for the quality. What’s more, the socks at the Dollar Store could easily match the quality of those at the department store. Spending as little as possible on socks will make losing one less of a frustrating issue. Socks will also suffer much wear and tear in a surprisingly short amount of time, being one of the more disposable types of clothing.
Socks
8. Party supplies
Party decor can be quite pricey and because you will probably only be using most items only once and so you should rather consider the cheaper alternatives. By shopping for your party supplies at the Dollar Store you can essentially save up to 70%. If you have kids, then you know how costly a big birthday bash can be. With presents and catering to boot, party supplies should be the more affordable addition to a successful party.
Party Supplies
9. Pregnancy tests
There might be some impressively advanced pregnancy tests out there these days, although most of them do the exact same thing. While tests at the drug store range between $10 and $15, you can get a perfectly accurate test at the Dollar Store for $1. If you and your partner are trying to put a bun in the oven, then you will go through many of these tests in a short period, making it an expensive venture.
Pregnancy Tests
10. Vase and decorative bowls
Decorative vases and bowls also fall into the category of things you can purchase with savings in mind. This store provides a wide variety of sizes and styles and you would hardly be able to tell the difference in quality and durability. Modern designs are so easily replicated in a cheap and convincing way that you will easily be able to find that perfect vase for your flowers. Just make sure not to buy plastic plants!
Vase And Decorative Bowls
11. Plastic food containers
We all know Tupperware costs a fortune, and when considering that there is hardly any notable difference when comparing plastic items from varying brands, you should opt for the best deal instead. So long as a plastic container is BPA-free and does contain other harmful chemicals, your food will be preserved safely and deliciously. Tupperware is a costly game to play, one that is more of a fad than anything. Plastic containers are essential for any home.
Plastic Food Containers
12. Chocolate and candy
Sweet treats will be far more affordable at the Dollar Store than any grocery store. However, it would be wise to check the expiry date before stocking up on Halloween candies. as many Dollar Stores will not be too fussy about keeping candy for long periods of time. You can find all your favorite run-of-the-mill brands in a Dollar Store and purchase them wholesale for a large supply of sugary rewards. Just make sure to hide your stash from your kids!
Chocolate And Candy
13. Notebooks
Notebooks and stationery items are quite pricey unless you buy them from the Dollar Store. Essentially, these items are hardly worth spending extra on for quality reasons, which means you could either buy extra or save significantly. Seeing as so many of us are now working from home, we will need to stock up on stationery if our companies will not be kitting our domestic offices out, and we really do not need to pay too much for company expenses.
Notebooks
14. Storage containers
Everyone needs several storage containers and this is why you should avoid high prices elsewhere. Here you can buy as many as you need in any shape, size, and color for less than half the price. Storage containers are essential if you have kids, whose toys can become a real threat to domestic harmony when they are disorganized or scattered all over the place. Color-coded storage containers will allow you to better organize all your loose possessions.
Storage Containers
15. Mugs and glasses
Mugs and glasses hardly last a lifetime, especially if you are a bit on the clumsy side. While you can save a ton by buying all your mugs and glasses here, you will also be pleased to know that you won’t even have to buy them in sets as with other places. At the dollar store, you can purchase these items individually. You might not think that plastic glasses are classy, but it is a true blessing not needing to clean up many shards of dangerous glass every time you drop something.
Mugs And Glasses
16. Seasonal decor
From Halloween to Christmas, you may be surprised at the diverse selection of seasonal decorations here. You will be able to spruce up your home accordingly without having to spend a small fortune. If you are passionate about holidays like Halloween and Christmas, then you need not spend a lot of money turning your house into a haunted castle or Santa’s workshop. When it comes to decorating our homes, we have a strict quantity over quality policy.
Seasonal Decor
17. Dishware
Students and those on a tight budget should take advantage of the incredibly affordable dishes here. They may be simple, but they will serve their purpose for a fraction of the price. If you are not one for grand dinner parties or your friends are mostly fellow students, then you do not need to go out of your way to impress them. Leave the luxurious occasions for when your graduate and start your dream job!
Dishware
18. Tote bags
Plastic shopping bags are fast becoming a thing of the past, and for good reason! Think about the state of our environment and rather buy a bunch of cheap tote bags from the Dollar Store for when you do your shopping. Try to find the sturdiest variety that will not snap while you are carrying your groceries to the car. It is time to ditch plastic bags for the future of safe and responsible consumerism.
Tote Bags
19. Reading glasses
Why spend hundreds of dollars on a simple pair of reading glasses if you really don’t have to? Here you can enjoy a wide variety of sensibly priced reading glasses. Cheap reading glasses will easily correct your vision problems if only one of your eyes is adjusting properly. That being said, you should do your best to get a professional eye exam and make sure that you can purchase over-the-counter reading glasses safely and correctly.
Reading Glasses
20. Wrapping paper, gift bags, boxes
Considering your wrapping paper and gift bags likely all end up in the trash there is hardly any logical reason why you should even consider quality. When people will simply tear your hard work to pieces, you do not need to spend a lot of money on something that was made to be destroyed. The effectiveness of wrapping paper lies in how much time you spent sealing a gift neatly and lovingly, rather than how fancy the paper itself is.
Wrapping Paper, Gift Bags, Boxes
Things You Should Avoid At The Dollar Store
1. Deodorant
Even though you may initially believe you would get a better deal on branded deodorants at the Dollar Store, you could probably find a larger size at your local pharmacy for much cheaper. The more obscure brands of deodorant could easily contain harmful chemicals that could irritate sensitive areas like armpits. They also will not last very long, and for those with active lifestyles, a quality roll-on or spray is essential for a full day’s worth of protection.
Deodorant
2. Toys
Unless you want your child’s excitement to end abruptly, you should avoid buying toys at the Dollar Store. Because of the inferior quality, the toys here are just not worth it, especially for toddlers that may be able to swallow small parts of broken toys. Cheap toys are not much fun to play with, and given that kids are experts on toy quality and function, they might end up throwing away a kind gesture without much thought.
Toys
3. Tools
It’s no secret that tools are expensive and if you are thinking of saving a bit by shopping at the Dollar Store for these items, you will be greatly disappointed. The lack of quality means you will truly get no more than what you pay for, and constantly replacing your tools means you should rather have invested in quality tools in the first place. Low-quality tools could also lead to accidents when they break halfway through an intense job.
Tools
4. Batteries
Cheaper batteries truly cannot compare to higher quality ones. Even though you may be willing to compromise and settle for a cheaper battery that does not last as long, you should avoid buying batteries here because the lack of quality suggests that they will probably leak. Battery acid is the last thing that you want to get on your skin as it is corrosive and will break your devices. It is always best to buy trusted brands when it comes to batteries.
Batteries
5. Knives
Unless you’re searching for a knife you only intent on using once or twice, you should avoid the Dollar Store for these items. Low-quality metal will not cut your food efficiently and worse, could easily lead to nasty injuries when the poorly honed knife slips halfway through slicing and hits your hand. The knives here are incomparable to quality ones. If you are a passionate home cook, then a set of fantastic knives is an essential investment.
Knives
6. Earphones/Headphones
Earphones and headphones for only $1 may seem like a great deal, although once you use them and note the terrible sound you will quickly realize you have wasted your money. You should never compromise on quality when purchasing earphones and headphones. Rather than buying the kind of earphones that you would find on an airplane, make your music-listening experience the kind that you truly deserve and invest in a leading sound brand worthy of your great taste in tunes.
Earphones:Headphones
7. USB Chargers
Charging the latest tablets and smartphones with a USB charger from the Dollar Store is not the wisest idea. These chargers simply do not have enough to power the latest technology and they may even damage your battery as a result. If you purchased one of the latest smartphones on the market, you do not want to risk an expensive repair charge by skimping out on charger quality. That goes for smartphone covers and screen protectors, too.
USB Chargers
8. HDMI Cables
These cables might be a bit pricey elsewhere, although, cheaper versions simply don’t last. When it comes to technology and cables you should avoid the Dollar Store rather than damage your devices or find yourself replacing cheap items routinely.
You should rather buy these cables online from Amazon or your local computer stores and keep quality in mind when making the purchase. HDMI cables are not made equally, as many people have been led to believe.
HDMI Cables
9. Plastic Cooking Utensils
Cheaper plastic utensils can contain harmful chemicals, which is why you should avoid buying plastic cooking utensils from this store. It would be wiser to opt for quality stainless steel elsewhere. You could easily contaminate your food with toxic chemicals that seep out of poorly constructed cooking utensils under high heat, and you will be shocked to see how easily they melt. From spatulas to ladles, make sure that only the most quality materials come into contact with your family’s daily meals.
Plastic Cooking Utensils
10. School Supplies
Unless you are hoping to send your child off to school with post-its that won’t stick and leaky pens, you should rather find another reasonably priced store to get school supplies. Searching for bulk-buy deals at big stores would help you save without compromising on quality. We know that education is an extremely expensive investment in your bright children’s futures, and every little quality addition to their efforts and wellbeing goes an incredibly long way.
School Supplies