Best items to buy at the dollar store? (sell, price, money)

[makorra]

I will be living on my own for the first time and am trying to save money on food/necessities. What are the best items to get from the dollar store?

[jlawrence01]

99 Only has a wide variety of products that are $2-3 at most other stores. Most of their products are pretty decent, including the produce. They buy a lot of canned goods from China. They have a good selection of toiletries and cleaning supplies.

I would propose that you start at the Dollar Store and move on to the more expensive places to get what you cannot find in other places.

[believe007]

Honestly....I hate dollar stores, just about as much as I hate Wal Marts.
But- when it's absolutely necessary to shop at the dollar store (survival)
here's a few things that are ok to get:

party decorations- tablecloths, balloons, etc.
gift bags/boxes
ribbons/bows
Xmas decorations
stocking stuffers
coloring books/ crayons
batteries
cleaning supplies- dish soap, etc.
paper towels
paper cups
foil pans

I've never bought food from the dollar store but thats a
good basic list of acceptable things you'd be ok with

[fuzzymystic]

The Dollar Tree by us has a nice selection of shampoos for a buck, it's a good place to get spices, too. Also, I get tubs of an oxy clean type cleaner there for a buck. Everything is a dollar, except for some candy stuff up by the cash registers. They have a really good steak sauce called Blazin' Blends, tastes kind of like A1 Sauce. Good price on cheese/pb crackers. They have some Betty Crocker products like scissors and stuff, and I figure they wouldn't put their name on it and sell it there (for a dollar) if it was inferior merchandise. There are little wastebaskets, I've gotten some mesh/wire ones that I use for plant stands in the summer. Also, in ours, there are hardcover and paperback books. Not really crappy ones-well, not ALL really crappy ones. You can get brownie mixes, different pickles and stuff, it's a fun place to go, and it's amazing what you can buy for a dollar there.

[jghorton]

Check-out the frozen fruit section at the Dollar Tree ... not even one-third the cost of the regular grocery story and just as good.

[fuzzymystic]

Originally Posted by jghorton

Check-out the frozen fruit section at the Dollar Tree ... not even one-third the cost of the regular grocery story and just as good.

Great suggestion! They don't have frozen stuff at all of them though, unfortunately.

[TabulaRasa]

Toiletries, cleaning supplies, paper goods, gift wrap, basic home office supplies like rubber bands, staples, pens, etc.

When I was teaching, they were good for treasure chest/grab bag type items, stickers, art supplies, etc. as well.

When I got married and was making table decorations for the reception, Dollar Tree was awesome for glass globes and unscented votives. Much cheaper than craft stores and party supply centers.

[NJBest]

I don't find any good items at dollar stores these days. Most the items there tend to be made in China.

[TabulaRasa]

Most of the items I would buy at a dollar store are identical to the ones found in other stores, where they are also made in China.

[beachmouse]

Not technically a dollar store, but Aldi's German and Belgian chocolate is often quite awesome and budget-friendly when you want an indulgent snack.