Did you catch our Savings Segment this morning on Fox 13? We are honored to be a featured on Good Day Tampa Bay each Sunday to share our knowledge about coupons and how to get the most for your money! This week’s topic was all about 6 things you should buy ONLY at the Dollar Store.
I always joke with my husband that when we walk into the dollar store armed with a couple one dollar bills, we feel RICH. But there are definitely items at Dollar Stores that, while only $1, are too expensive and can be purchased cheaper elsewhere. Consumer Reports compared prices on 38 everyday products and found that Dollar General had the lowest prices on many items. It beat or came close to Walmart in many cases, which typically does best in price scans. There are certain products I have noticed are always significantly cheaper at the Dollar Store:
- Glow Sticks: I’m letting you in on my number #1 “Cool Mommy Trick”, stocking up on Dollar Store Glow Sticks, then whipping them out when we have friends over and the kids play outside at night, or we go to the Drive-In Theater, or when we attend ANY Amusement Park (you know…where you get stuck paying $10 for a glow in the dark toy that dies before you ever get home?!) You’re welcome!
- Party Supplies: Plastic tablecloths, silverware, balloons, and disposable decorations are great items to buy here. While you are only saving about $.50 a piece, that adds up pretty quickly when buying for a party! I also buy these items from here to use when we go camping. My local Dollar Tree also has a great selection of Mylar Balloons that you can get inflated with helium! At only $1, that is about 33% cheaper than a party store! Greeting cards and basket wrap is also much cheaper here than at other stores.
- Eyeglasses: If you don’t need a prescription, this is the best place for standard eyeglasses! My Mom stocks up on reading glasses here and then she can afford to leave them on every table top throughout the house!
- Double Sided Tape: Have you seen the price of double sided tape lately? It’s around $4 per roll! When you break the price down by inch…the Dollar Store wins every time. And so far, I haven’t noticed any difference in quality.
- Pregnancy Tests: Consumer Reports found this one for me! They put the tests to the test and found them just as accurate as the name brand ones which can cost between $7-$15…with coupons!
- In a Pinch ~ Cleaning Supplies: The stock up price for most cleaning supplies is around a buck. If you are out of something, and need it right now…then this is your place. Walmart is too expensive. Sure, you’ll get off brands, but the ingredients usually are the same. And you only need to get through until it comes up cheap again at your grocer!
**DOLLAR STORE WARNINGS!**
- Death by “it’s ONLY a dollar.” It’s so easy to throw something into your cart that you otherwise would not have purchased because “it’s only a dollar.” If you went in to get glow sticks, put your blinders on, get the glow sticks, and get out.
- Watch Food Ingredients. A lot of times, those off brands will skimp on ingredients to drive down the price. Decide if it is worth it to you to consume potentially cheaper ingredients to save what might amount to pennies.
- Check Expiration Dates. More than once I got home only to find out that the granola bars tasted stale…oh, that’s because they had already expired. However…”it’s only a dollar”. So I didn’t go back for my refund.
Don’t forget the coupons! Most Dollar Stores are now accepting coupons that add up to a pretty substantial savings. So that means Dollar Store Coupon matchups! ‘Cuz the only thing better than a buck is FREE, right? We will teach you exactly how to use coupons at ALL the dollar stores in a of couple weeks!
~Happy Dollar Store Shopping!
