I have a love hate relationship with dollar stores and the dollar section of big box retailers. Sometimes, you can score a great deal on something you use daily and spend a whole lot less. But other times, you end up dropping a ton of cash on junk that gets shoved aside or simply too many things. How can a savvy consumer know when to shop the dollar section or store and when should you skip it? It’s a delicate dance for sure. Here are some guidelines to keep your spending on track.
Don’t Just Browse
This principle applies to more than just the dollar store. The more time you spend at a store (or shopping online for that matter), the more money you will spend. You can’t buy what you don’t know even exists. So when you choose to shop in these places, it’s wise to apply the same practices you should use when you shop anywhere else. Have a list of what you need, try to spend a brief amount of time, and know your budget. The dollar store or section is a great place to practice using cash only to pay for your goods. You can’t go overboard if you have the exact amount you plan on spending in your wallet.
Watch the Unit Price
When items are priced at only $1, it seems like a deal. However, many times, you could actually get a better price per unit (or ounce or square foot) if you purchased a more expensive item at a big box retailer. Sure, the bottom line looks good but you’re not getting the best bang for your buck. Cell phones make life a bit easier when it comes to comparing prices. You can double check comparable items on Amazon or specific store apps like Target, Walmart, Meijer, or Kroger to make sure a deal is really a deal.
Do Buy: Cards, Gift Bags, and Tissue Paper
Know someone celebrating a birthday or wedding or birth of the baby? You can’t definitely save extra cash on gift wrapping and cards by shopping at the dollar store. If you want to stretch your savings further, be on the prowl for multipacks of gift bags instead of just one. During graduation season last year, I purchased a pack of plain black bags and a multicolored package of tissue paper. It was easy to put together multiple gifts with paper that coordinated the graduate’s school’s matching colors.
Don’t Buy: Back to School Supplies
By mid year, we’ll see the back to school deals begin to pop back up. Use those special sales to stock up throughout the year rather than purchasing items for a dollar. After all, many of those prices are a fraction of a dollar with crayons, pencils, notebooks, and more often priced at $0.25 or even less. I’ve also found the dollar store school supplies to be a little subpar compared to what you can purchase for less during the Back to School season.
Do Buy: Mylar Balloons
Again, the dollar store knows how to party. Getting mylar balloons there can save you a bundle when the same or similar items cost three to five times more at a party store. Don’t get too carried away though. It’s easy to buy more when you feel like you’re getting a bargain. Stay on track by knowing how many you want to purchase before you go into the store.
Don’t Buy: Personal Care Products
Many items like toothpaste, shampoo, and deodorant can be purchased at your regular retail stop for less per unit than at the dollar store. If you’re a label reader like me, you’ll also want to carefully read where these items and others like makeup are manufactured, too. Different countries have different standards when it comes to personal care items. Be consumer wise and take the extra time to read the small print.
Do Buy: Plastic Bottles and Cleaning Supplies
The kitchen aisle is one to make a few pick ups while at the dollar store. I make a lot of my own cleaners at home, so purchasing refillable spray bottles for a dollar is a great deal. I also find that sponges or stainless steel scrubbers are best priced here. Again, watch the unit price and read the labels for actual cleaners.
Don’t Buy: Paper Towels or Toilet Paper
Don’t get me started on the pitfalls of toilet paper math. Even the savviest of shoppers can go cross-eyed trying to calculate the cost per square inch. Just know that purchasing paper towels in bulk will be cheaper on Amazon or at a warehouse store like Sam’s Club or Costco. The products at the dollar store are often smaller rolls and so you’ll use up your supply more quickly.
The dollar section or store can be a powerful tool in your toolbox for savings. But go into the experience with your wits about you. It’s not really a bargain if you spend more money than you have. And what looks like a deal on its surface could actually fall short.
My book is now available: Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After. You can also check out The Debt Free Devotional
This post contains an affiliate link. That means when you get a great deal, learn about a way to save, or maybe even something for free, I may end up making a small commission. All prices are subject to change.
