What Should You Actually Buy And What To Avoid At The Dollar Store

Buying household items at the Dollar Store is surely a no brainer, right? Most of the time, you’re absolutely right. However, there are some things you’re actually better off buying elsewhere. You can even find some items for even less at other supermarkets. Here’s what you need to know about what to buy and what to skip out on at the Dollar Store.

Coffee Filters – Buy

We take our coffee very seriously, and we’re sure you do too. That’s why you should know that getting coffee filters at the Dollar Store is a great idea, since you’ll be getting the same exact product for way less money.

Hair Accessories – Buy

We all know how annoying it is when you need a hair tie and you simply can’t find one. What’s worse is when you’re about to put your hair up in a ponytail and it just snaps, rendering it totally useless. Since this is bound to happen to most accessories, you should stock up on the inexpensive ones at the Dollar Store, that way you won’t feel bad if they get lost or break.

Plastic Buckets – Buy

Having plastic buckets around the house is incredibly useful. They’re great for storage, washing your car, or keeping drinks cool while hosting a BBQ. There really is no reason you should spend a lot of money on plastic buckets, so the Dollar Store is the perfect solution to get a few (or lots) of these to have around the house.

Dish Towels And Washcloths – Buy

There’s really no reason to get attached to dish towels and washcloths since they usually end up being so worn out that you toss them out. For that reason, you really don’t need to be spending a lot of money on fancy towels. The Dollar Store has a wide selection of colors and patterns to choose from, and you won’t feel bad getting rid of them once you’re done using them.

Greeting Cards – Buy

Including a nice greeting card with a gift is always a special touch that really lets people know that you care. Greeting cards can end up costing a lot of money, so why not head to the Dollar Store where you can find lovely and inexpensive greeting cards that have the same effect as one that will cost 3 or 4 times more.

Picture Frames – Buy

Adding framed photos is a wonderful way to make your home feel more personal and cozy. The one drawback is that a lot of picture frames end up costing so much money. The Dollar Store has a great range of frames you can choose from that will help you fill your home with great photos that will fill your home with happy memories.

Socks – Buy

We’ve all experienced the incredibly frustrating moment where you can’t find a sock’s partner. Why does that keep happening? We may never know where that other sock disappears, but we do know that you can stock up on socks at the Dollar Store for cheap, that way even if you lose a sock (or 5) then you can simply move on to the next pair without feeling too bad about it.

Party Supplies – Buy

Party supplies help make parties more fun, but the unfortunate part is that these items end up in the garbage after the party is over. However, that doesn’t mean that you need to skip party supplies altogether, rather you can get them at the Dollar Store instead for a fraction of the cost. They have a large selection and everything is very inexpensive.

Pregnancy Tests – Buy

Pregnancy tests at the pharmacy can get pretty expensive, with some even costing about $15. If you prefer, you can get a pregnancy test at the Dollar Store for a tiny fraction of the ones sold at pharmacies, and best of all is that they are just as reliable, so there’s no reason to spend more than you need to.

Vases And Decorative Bowls – Buy

Vases and decorative bowls are perfect for adding some flowers or potpourri to your home in order to create a lovely ambiance. Home decor stores will sell these at very high prices, but you can actually get very similar glass bowls and vases at the Dollar Store. These achieve the same effect and will not end up costing you as much.

Plastic Food Containers – Buy

Plastic food containers are some of the most useful items to have in the house. Whether you’re a pro meal prepper or you just like to keep things organized around the house, these are an absolute must. The secret is to get them at the Dollar Store, where they cost way less and you can get way more containers for less money.

Chocolate And Candy – Buy

Whether you love chocolate and candy or you’re stocking up for Halloween or a kids’ party, then the Dollar Store is the way to go here. You can buy the same brand name candy that you would buy at another store but for way less money. There’s really no reason to get these elsewhere.

Notebooks – Buy

If you love notebooks, we have some great news for you. You can buy notebooks at the Dollar Store for just $1 a pop, and best of all is that they have a wide selection of patterns and colors to choose from. This is also a great solution for Back to School time. Your kids can even pick out which notebook covers they want.

Storage Containers – Buy

Storage containers are the secret to keeping your house, car, office, or anywhere else super organized. You can find these at the Dollar Store for next to nothing, so you can buy a whole bunch and have them around for whenever you need them.

Mugs And Glasses – Buy

Whether you’re starting out in your first home or you just want to add glasses to your collection, you can buy a really great set of mugs and glasses at the Dollar Store. Another perk is that you can also mix and match, whereas at other stores you have to buy a boxed set, at the Dollar Store you can choose how many of which glasses and mugs you want to get, so you can curate your collection easily.

Seasonal Decor – Buy

Who doesn’t love some fun seasonal decor to get you into the holiday spirit? Unfortunately, so much of this decor is unnecessarily expensive. You can buy some great holiday decor at the Dollar Store, which always has a nice selection around the holidays. That way you can actually buy more decor items, since you’re getting more bang for your buck.

Dishware – Buy

If you need to stock up on dish ware, look no further than the Dollar Store, where there is a great selection of colors and patterns. This is also great for college students who need to buy their first set of plates, mugs, and dishes, and at the Dollar Store they’re all reasonably priced.

Tote Bags – Buy

Tote bags are a great solution for replacing those plastic bags that are incredibly wasteful. We all know that using reusable bags is a great way to help save the environment, but sometimes these end up being so expensive that they are just not the right solution for a lot of people. The Dollar Store has a wonderful selection of tote bags that won’t break the bank with lots of cute patterns and colors.

Reading Glasses – Buy

If you’re in need of a simple pair of reading glasses, you can find them at the Dollar Store. They are super affordable, so if you’re prone to losing your glasses, you can even get a few so you have some spare ones on hand. There’s really no need to spend more than you need to on these.

Wrapping Paper, Gift Bags, Boxes – Buy

Wrapping a gift in nice paper is always a nice touch, but the problem is that these literally get torn up and put in the trash right after the gift is opened. The solution is to get the affordable wrapping paper and gift bags from the Dollar Store. You can stock up on these and they cost a fraction of what they cost at fancier stores.

Deodorant – Avoid

The deodorant itself that’s sold at the Dollar Store is absolutely fine, however it’s the size and price that isn’t. Often, the sticks sold at the Dollar Store are much smaller than ones sold elsewhere, so when you calculate it out, the price is not actually that much better at the Dollar Store.

Toys – Avoid

You might think that getting a whole bunch of the cheap toys at the Dollar Store, this actually isn’t the best idea in the end. The reason is that they are often very flimsy and end up breaking pretty quickly. That means you’ll be going through toys at a much faster rate than if you spent more on a better quality toy.

Tools – Avoid

Getting tools at the Dollar Store is good if you find yourself in a pinch, but you should invest in better quality tools that are a bit more expensive for your tool collection at home. These will last much longer and will often do a better job than the less expensive ones you can get.

Batteries – Avoid

Batteries are definitely cheaper at the Dollar Store, but it does come at a cost. The quality of these batteries are not as good as the brand names and can sometimes leak. You’re better off buying the big name brand instead.

While it might be tempting to go for the cheaper batteries sold at the Dollar Store, you should probably just spring for the pricier ones elsewhere. The off-brand ones don’t last as long and they can sometimes even leak, which you definitely want to avoid. Sometimes, name brand is the better way to go.

Knives – Avoid

If you need some knives for a camping trip, then you can get the ones from the Dollar Store. If you’re looking to have some kitchen knives, then you should invest in better ones. High quality knives are always better to have, even if they cost a bit more than the ones at the Dollar Store.

If you’re looking for knives for camping and outdoors trips, then getting them at the Dollar Store is a great option. However, when it comes to your kitchen knives, you should really invest in a set of high quality knives, even if they are pricier than the Dollar Store ones.

Earbuds or Headphones – Avoid

We understand if the thought of spending $150 on a pair of headphones seems outrageous to you. However, if you are looking for cheaper headphones, we would advise against getting the ones at the Dollar Store. These are not very good quality, so you should look elsewhere for ones that are a bit more but will last longer than the ones you’d get for super cheap.

USB Chargers – Avoid

If you are in desperate need of a USB charger, then the ones at the Dollar Store will work in a pinch. However, if you need a charger to last for a long time, then you should spend a bit more and invest in a high quality one from another store. Brand name USB chargers will do a better job charging your device and will not sacrifice on quality.

HDMI Cables – Avoid

We know that HDMI cables are very pricey, but you should probably avoid getting these at the Dollar Store, since they tend to be of lower quality and will most likely not last for a long time. It’s better to invest in a better one that is more expensive but will keep for a long time.

Plastic Cooking Utensils – Avoid

This isn’t exclusive to the Dollar Store, you should avoid using plastic cooking utensils in general. These can have adverse health effects. You should switch to using stainless steel cooking utensils instead, which are better quality and won’t melt into your food as you’re cooking like the plastic ones.

School Supplies – Buy

The Dollar Store is a great place to find a great deal on school supplies, especially since they have an amazing selection of writing utensils, notebooks, and more. This is great for kids who love a variety of school supplies and also for the ones who tend to lose their pencil on the first day of school.

Double-Sided Tape – Buy

Double-sided tape is a great tool to have on hand, but buying it can sometimes mean shelling out up to $5. You can get the same exact item at the Dollar Store for a 1/5 of the price. While the brand name might be a bit longer, you are still getting a better deal by getting it at the Dollar Store.

Cotton Swabs – Buy

Cotton swabs are very useful to have around the house, but as the end up in the trash, there’s no reason to spend a lot of money on them. At pharmacies like CVS, these can cost up to $3, while at the Dollar Store you can buy it for just $1.

Paper Clips – Buy

You can purchase a box of 60 paper clips for $2.49 at Office Depot. You can also choose to buy a box of vinyl-coated paper clips at the Dollar Store for just $1. You do the math, but we’ll tell you that there’s no reason to spend more on paper clips than you have to.

Clay Flower Pots – Buy

When you buy a new plant, most of the time it will come in a temporary holder and you’ll often need to buy a flower pot to repot it into. Although these can get quite pricey, you can buy these at the Dollar Store for a fraction of the price.

Holiday Food Decorations – Buy

Holiday food decorations are always a fun way to make your desserts festive. You can add candy canes, sprinkles, and frosting to make your holiday more enjoyable. However,  you don’t need to spend a lot of these items, especially since you’re probably already spending a lot during the holiday time. The Dollar Store offers a great selection of affordable food decor.

Mailing Labels – Buy

Mailing labels that are personalized are a great way to save time, especially during the holiday season when you’re sending out more mail than usual. You can actually get personalized return labels at the Dollar Store, which are way cheaper than the ones you’d get at the post office.

Shaving Cream – Buy

You really don’t have to opt for the brand name shaving cream, we promise. The Dollar Store sells a can for a dollar, while a similar can will cost you about $3 at a pharmacy like CVS.

Advil – Buy

Over the counter medications like Advil can get a little pricey if you’re buying them at your local pharmacy. You can actually find these at the Dollar Store, where they sell three 2-packs for just a dollar.

Balloons – Buy

Balloons are yet another product that although add a whole lot of fun to the party end up in the trash very quickly after. That’s why you should get these at the Dollar Store.

Band-Aids – Buy

Having band-aids on hand in your first aid kit is always a good idea. Since these end up lost or tossed out anyway, you can stock up on a whole bunch at the Dollar Store. They’re good quality and are less expensive than what the pharmacies are selling.

Pint Glasses – Buy

You can stock up on pint glasses at the Dollar Store, since they are good quality. If you love enjoying a nice cold beer at the end of the day, then these are perfect for you.

Board Games – Buy

Who doesn’t absolutely love spending quality time with loved ones and playing board games? Did you know that you can actually get some beloved board games at the Dollar Store? No reason to spend more than you need to on these games.

Bobby Pins – Buy

Bobby pins are great for styling your hair, but they often get lost, either in your hair or just into thin air. That’s why buying these in bulk at the Dollar Store is so great. You can get a ton of bobby pins for next to nothing: 72 pins for $1. That way you won’t ever feel upset if you’ve lost them.

Bread – Buy

Bread is always good to have on hand, where you want a hearty sandwich for lunch or a fun PB&J snack. You can buy Oroweat brand brand at the Dollar Store for 2/3 of the price that you would buy it at another grocery store.

Cleaning Supplies – Buy

Brand name cleaning supplies are preferred when it comes for shopping for your home. You can find brand name products like Clorox and Windex at the Dollar Store, and best of all, they’re less expensive than you find find elsewhere for the same exact product.

Cookie Sheets – Buy

Blogger Crazy Craft Lady swears by these cookie sheets from the Dollar Store. She says they’re an absolute must-have since they work absolutely great and cost less than other alternatives. You can make them last even longer by covering them in aluminum foil with each use.

Index Cards – Buy

Anyone who is a student knows that index cards are an absolute essential item. At the Dollar Store you can buy 12 packs of index cards for just $6. Any student should rush over to get these right now.

Mini Flashlights – Buy

Mini flashlights are important to have on hand in case of an emergency. They are also great to have during a camping trip. These are very cheap to get at the Dollar Store, so you can get a bunch and keep them stashed all over the place.

Flip Flops – Buy

If you’re the type of person who keeps losing their flip flops, then we have some great news for you. The Dollar Store has a great selection of flip flops that are super affordable. That way, if you leave them at the pool by mistake, you can just get another.

Permanent Markers – Buy

Permanent markers are those items that you really have to have on hand because you never know when you’ll need one. You can get brand name Sharpies at the Dollar Store, where they sell three packs for just $1.50, a great deal.

Things With A Plug – Don’t Buy

While items with a plug are much cheaper at the Dollar Store, there’s usually a reason for that. It’s best to stay clear of anything with a plug from there, since they will likely be of lower quality and might even be dangerous.

Vitamins and Supplements – Don’t Buy

When it comes to your health, you probably shouldn’t be springing for the cheapest option available. No need to get the vitamins and supplements at the Dollar Store.

Pet Food – Don’t Buy

You can certainly find good quality brand name pet food at the Dollar Store, which is absolutely fine to buy and give to your pets. However, you should probably avoid any brands you do not recognize. You should give your pets high quality foods.

Beauty Products – Don’t Buy

There are a lot of personal care products at the Dollar Store that are great finds, but you should avoid buying hair color and makeup from here. You should avoid buying discount and off-brand makeup in general, especially if their price seems too good to be true.

Wedding Decor – Buy

Anybody who has planned a wedding knows how everything can add up really quickly and become exorbitantly expensive. You can save a big chunk of change by making some decor items yourself. There are plenty of tutorials online, and you can buy a lot of supplies for super cheap at the Dollar Store.

Paper Towels and Napkins – Don’t Buy

When it comes to paper towels, napkins, and toilet paper, you should probably spring for the better quality and more expensive options. Cheaper will most likely mean worse quality and you will most certainly regret this if you do.

Windshield Washer Fluid – Don’t Buy

Windshield washer fluid at the Dollar Store is less expensive, but it comes at a cost. This off brand fluid, which costs a dollar for a gallon, is not effective during the winter and below zero weather. This means that you wouldn’t get protection during the coldest months, which is truly important. Go for the better quality one instead.

Soda – Don’t Buy

There’s a good reason why Dollar Store soda is less expensive, it’s just not as tasty. You should definitely just go for the brand name sodas, your taste buds will thank you for it.

Baby Products – Don’t Buy

Whenever it comes to baby products, definitely always buy from trusted brand names. There’s no reason to go for an unknown brand and take a risk when it comes to products for your baby. This way you can avoid allergic reactions or anything worse.

Baking Soda – Don’t Buy

Baking soda is a great product to have whether you want to use it for baking or for cleaning purposes. It also helps eliminate odors from your fridge and closet. Since it’s so cheap everywhere, you don’t really need to buy it at the Dollar Store.