I like to shop cheap, but i don’t want my items to LOOK cheap. I’ve figured out, in my years of being frugal, that there are several things you can buy at the dollar store that are the same quality as other stores, for a fraction of the cost. Specifically, I’ve found that these items are the 15 Things You Should Be Buying at the Dollar Store.
Remember that not all dollar stores are equal, an that their selection changes on a regular basis, so yours may not have the exact same items mine has. As a general rule, though, these 15 Things You Should Be Buying at the Dollar Store can be found at any dollar store.
This post may contain affiliate links. See our full disclosure policy HERE.
There are a LOT of things I won’t buy at the dollar store. Simply for the sake that when you do a price per unit comparison, sometimes they end up being more expensive at the dollar store. And if they are cheaper, a LOT of times you will find that they are MUCH poorer quality and you wasted the dollar buying the item in the first place. However, the things I list below have all been great deals and great quality for me. Did you know you can find even cooler stuff ONLINE at the Dollar Tree? Check it out!!!
15 Things You Should Be Buying at the Dollar Store
1. Gift Bags
If you buy gift bags in regular stores, you will spend $3-$5 each on bags! Not only will you overspend, but you’ll typically end up with the same bag several other people brought too. I have always gotten great quality gift bags at the dollar store and they come in a ton of different sizes, shapes, and themes.
2. Flower Pots
Flower pots can be expensive! The ones you can get at the dollar store will vary in size. Mine usually has some hanging pots, some square ones, some rectangle ones, and several sizes of round ones. These are great if you’re putting together a live flower arrangement for gifting (<—- click there to see how I make super cute flower pots to give as gifts!)
3. Kid’s Books
Another one of the things you should be buying at the dollar store are kid’s books – especially board books! Board books are crazy expensive (typically starting at $5-$6 a book at stores like Walmart), but I always find the most adorable ones at the dollar store each time I’m there! It’s a great way to give a neat baby shower, or kid’s birthday gift on a budget!
LIKE THIS LIST? CHECK OUT THE 15 THINGS YOU SHOULD BE BUYING AT IKEA TOO!
4. Cotton Swabs
There’s no sense in paying $3+ for cotton swabs at regular stores when you get get the same exact thing for $1.00. I’ve tried name brand and the dollar store version and there no difference.
5. Craft Supplies
Ever hear the phrase, “Why buy it for $7 when you can make it yourself with $92 worth of craft supplies?” I can relate to that, and so I had to include craft supplies as one of the things you should be buying at the dollar store. My dollar store carries craft supplies in two places, so be sure to look around before writing your dollar store off. Mine has grapevine wreaths, wire wreath forms, mesh ribbon, craft tools, spools of ribbon, beads, craft storage, painting canvas and more! Supplies vary and change per store often, so keep an eye out!
6. Balloons
I’m not talking about regular latex balloons (even though you can get those at the Dollar Store too), but Mylar balloons! These are normally expensive wherever you buy them. These are not only just $1 per balloon, but include the helium and ribbon in the $1 price tag. Isn’t that awesome?!
7. Party Decor
I am one of those over the top party planners. I love making every party I throw incredible. I even have an entire section of my site dedicated to party themes where I’ve designed free printables and give people food ideas etc (<—- click that link to see all my party themes and get the free printable birthday decor I designed!) The party section at the dollar store is visited by me frequently. They not only have a TON of solid color party decor options, but also carry a rotating themed section of party events too. In addition to birthday stuff, my dollar store always has a baby shower section and a wedding section for bridal showers too. I got most of the supplies I used to make my adorable Bridal/Baby Shower Favors (<— click there to see the tutorial to make them and to get the free printable tags that go with them!!) at the dollar store!
8. Party Favors
In addition to tons of party decor, you can find a TON of party favors at the dollar store. You can get typical party favors, or you can get creative and get fun stuff like glow sticks, little toys etc.
9. Candy
I added candy to the list of things you should be buying at the dollar store not just for value, but also because you can generally find some really unique candy options there too. I love all the name brands they have there, and it’s a great way to get cheap sugar-free candy too!
LIKE THIS LIST? CHECK OUT THE 15 THINGS YOU SHOULD BE BUYING AT IKEA TOO!
10. Pregnancy Tests
Dollar store pregnancy tests work JUST as well as the name brand, or even store brand ones. These were a life saver for me when I was trying to get pregnant with my second kid and was buying 2-3 a week (don’t judge, I had health issues) and would have spent WAY more had I been buying name or store brand.
11. Seasonal Decor
If you’re like me, you’d assume that seasonal or holiday decor you can get from the dollar store would be cheap and tacky, but most of the time that’s not the case! a lot of times I find cute signs or decor options at the dollar store and they usually have it out pretty early each year too.
12. Reading Glasses
I don’t wear reading glasses yet, but my parents do. I think they lose them more than they know where they are. They’ve told me more than once that the dollar store reading glasses work great and since they lose them so often, it’s a real money saver too.
13. Wrapping Paper
Yes, wrapping paper from the Dollar Store doesn’t have much on the roll. Yes, it’s not amazing quality. Reality? People are literally going to tear it off a package. I typically buy a different kind of wrapping paper for each birthday or for each kid at Christmas time to keep the gifts separated easier, so the small amount on each roll doesn’t bother me. I was able to find Elf the movie wrapping paper this Christmas, and some cool licensed wrapping paper for my kids for their birthdays this year too. MUCH cheaper than buying it elsewhere. Not to mention, they typically have a huge selection as well.
14. Office & Shipping Supplies
Office and shipping supplies can be super expensive. I’ve done the price comparison on simple things like basic clipboards, where Walmart had them for $3+ and the dollar store had the exact same one for only a dollar. Some things, like dry erase markers, I’ve learned not to buy at the dollar store, but most things are a great value. They have awesome deals on shipping supplies like padded envelopes etc. too.
15. Greeting Cards
The last thing on my list of things you should be buying at the dollar store are greeting cards. You can typically get name brands like Hallmark at the dollar store for only $0.50! I know my local dollar store has a huge election of cards, and it saves me a ton of money buying them there versus the card aisle at Walmart or Target.
I hope this list of things you should be buying at the dollar store will help you think outside the box and save some money! What are some other things you would add? Shop online at the Dollar Store for other cool finds you can’t always get in store HERE!
