by Ms. Meacham: Money Maven
Member since:
December 14, 2005

Frugal Living: Dollar store duds and deals

April 27, 2009 11:58 PM EDT (Updated: April 28, 2009 08:24 PM EDT)
views: 380 | comments: 37

Have a Dollar Store or 99 Cent Store close by? One just moved into the former Trader Joe's spot in my neighborhood, and I couldn't be happier. Granted, I'm not a big Dollar Store shopper. However, it offers some great deals on those things I consider around my home as necessities. So my shopping trips are quick, and I usually know exactly what I'm after. Three dollars yesterday netted me six large soft pretzels (frozen in a box), a can of spray disinfectant and a large bottle of hand sanitizer. I would have paid that much for one item at my regular grocery store.

My favorites:

Spray disinfectant ($1 versus $5 for name brands at other stores)

Oxygen laundry additive ($1 versus $8 for name brands at other stores)

Soft pretzels ($1 for six frozen pretzels with salt on the side, versus $3 each at the mall. However, you can find a great recipe for making your own soft pretzels from Gather's Melanie B. here.)

Steel wool ($1 a package, versus limited non-soap options elsewhere)

Fabric softener sheets ($1 for a package of 50, versus $4 for brand name versions)

Picture frames ($1 each with glass and matting included; frame a whole wall of photos for less than $10)

Cocktail fixings ($1 for pickled asparagus, green beans, pimento-stuffed olives and more; you'll want to use these up fast however, as they go bad within in three months of opening)

Things I stay away from:

Toothpaste (the toxic-chemical-infused paste from China was distributed through dollar-type stores in the U.S.)

Vitamins (many are unregulated, and on testing can turn up questionable additives, unabsorbable vitamins, or toxic minerals from the manufacturing cauldrons)

Items that are actually less expensive at other stores

You'll find some of these items mentioned in a new slide show from MSN, Dollar Store duds and deals. Interesting read for any discount store shopper.

How about you? What are your bonus dollar store finds?

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Comments: 37

Beverly T. Apr 28, 2009, 12:01am EDT
Yep, we love our local dollar stores, too. I agree with you on what's good to buy and what to avoid. We get our Sun laundry detergent from the area DG and love the price.

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Ms. Meacham: Money Maven Apr 28, 2009, 12:05am EDT
Yep Beverly, the soap products tend to be a really good buy at the Dollar Store. I picked up four bottles of Soft Soap-brand hand soap, including two bottles of micro-bead germ-killing soap, for $1 each the other day (versus $2.50 at my grocery store).
Netty B. Apr 28, 2009, 12:09am EDT
We have Dollar General, but it is kind of dirty and unorganized, a disappointment for sure.
Michelle C. Apr 28, 2009, 12:18am EDT
I love the coloring books (JUMBO ones or character ones at Dollar Tree) and coloring utensils (colored pencils, crayons, markers, etc). We also buy 30 trash bags for 1 dollar at Dollar Tree and it has a lemon scent in them and it ties instead of string tie, but it works and it is cheap, comparing to the higher priced ones. We love the candy/chip selection and it is only 1 dollar for 1 big bag of Bugels! Yummy! If we aren't needing much, we get Reynolds Wrap there (a small box for 1 dollar) or paper plates and so forth. We also bought Christmas wrapping paper at Dollar Tree when they were having a sale. I love Dollar Tree and the sales. The containers (rubbermaid) from Dollar Tree are great too and I love the Dollar Tree picnic selection! ;)
Michelle C. Apr 28, 2009, 12:19am EDT
Netty B., our Dollar General is dirty and disorganized too and is lacking workers and is old... it really sucks and the prices aren't much cheap anymore. Our Dollar General have about the same prices as Walmart, so why waste gas just to drive over to Dollar General for a couple things when I could get everything at Walmart or Dollar Tree (right next to our Walmart)? ;)
Ms. Meacham: Money Maven Apr 28, 2009, 12:29am EDT
Thank you for taking the time to point out the differences in some of the "dollar" named stores Michelle. I shop at Dollar Tree, where everything is $1 (save for a few items at 2 for $1 and things like reading glasses at $1 to $5 each).
Ms. Meacham: Money Maven Apr 28, 2009, 12:30am EDT
Your comment on storage items reminds me Michelle that I really wanted to head back to check out the basket offerings. I'm looking for a few high-sided numbers for storing bulking items in open shelves.
Carla B. Apr 28, 2009, 2:08am EDT
We buy a lot of puzzles, stickers, books, and coloring books for Elliott at the dollar tree. I don't like the crayons from there, so we buy them at Target or Walmart when they are on sale in August.

We buy most of our wrapping paper there, too.
Kerry (A tree, not a lemon) .. Apr 28, 2009, 2:33am EDT
Hi Meacham:)

I find myself drawn to dollar stores now and then for the same types of things you mentioned above. Spray cleaners and laundry products are definately a money saver when purchased from a dollar store.
I go into Dollar General once every 2-3 months for paper goods too. Scott brand toilet paper and paper towels are cheaper at the DG than anywhere else, so I buy in bulk a few times a year.

yaya..gotta love it!
j - Frugal Mom - r. Apr 28, 2009, 4:26am EDT
I find that there is a huge difference in the dollar stores in our area. In fact the first thing I noticed was that just because the name includes the word dollar, it certainly doesn't mean that everything costs a dollar. I have been to several dollar stores where most of the things were $1.49 and above.

The only dollar store I visit now is Dollar Tree. It is my absolute favorite. Things that I buy there: sponges/scrubbers, decorations, wrapping paper, work books for my sons and a few other things. I generally stay away from the beauty section.
JoAnne D. Apr 28, 2009, 6:38am EDT
I hope they stay around, I love to shop there for the same reasons as all of you.
Jane C. Apr 28, 2009, 8:18am EDT
I wish there was a Dollar Tree near me, my friend in Maine has one near her. It's one of the biggest in the country. We usually spend a couple of hours in there on the way from the airport.
Richard Frisbie Apr 28, 2009, 9:48am EDT
I was more interested by the fact that a Trader Joe's left. We were kind of hoping for one too open here. I usually by gift wrapping by the roll - $1 is cheap for that.
We don;t have one near us at all~
Kenn T. Apr 28, 2009, 10:38am EDT
I always wonder about the taste, freshness, (filth level), safety of dollar spices and herbs.
I buy most soaps (laundry, hand, bath liquid, antibacterial, dish liquid) at dollar stores.
Tea-light votive candles are generally reasonably priced - along with non-special greeting cards.
J F. Apr 28, 2009, 1:41pm EDT
We have a Dollar Tree and a Dollar General store here. I hit both of them before I go anywhere else.
Kimberli T. Apr 28, 2009, 2:10pm EDT
I don't like Dollar General, it's so much more expensive than when I was a child. At the Dollar Tree I get dish soap, bleach, and toys for my children. The girls pick up Barbie clothes as their treat. I also get our hair do clips and stuff there too. They even have dollar movies and I like to pick up the cartoons based on classic books. My children love them and it keeps their attention when I need to get stuff done.
Chris Brockman Apr 28, 2009, 7:47pm EDT
I buy shampoo equivalent to T-Gel at Dollar Tree for about one-fouth the price. So far it hasn't eaten away my scalp. though I am sure it's made in China. Incidentally, Pepsodent toothpaste, an old-line brand with great taste and one of the least expensive, is made in the USA, which can be confirmed by calling their toll free number. Crest, and I'm sure other biggies, are amBIGuous about where their paste is made.
Ms. Meacham: Money Maven Apr 28, 2009, 8:33pm EDT
Thankfully Richard, the Trader Joe's left to move to a larger space (a former gym) nearby. I'm so glad to have one of those near, since it has some great prices on organic foods, frozen meats, imported cheese and wine prices (plus every-day food samples and a $25 drawing for groceries if you bring your own bag). However, I've been shopping less there now that a Grocery Outlet opened up down the street (in a former thrift store location). There I find three or four varieties of red and white wine for $2.99, whole frozen salmon fillets for $2.99, similar prices for off-cut prosciutto, sliced cocktail cheeses/brie and -- occasionally -- a whole rack of ribs for $4.
Ms. Meacham: Money Maven Apr 28, 2009, 8:36pm EDT
Thanks for the heads up on Pepsodent Chris. One thing that that FDA turned up in its findings was that the dollar-type stores were distributing toothpaste that looked like the toothpaste made by legitimate manufacturers.... So I don't know if I'd trust even Pepsodent at the dollar store. Meanwhile, I'll likely look for Pepsodent in the grocery store next time I start running out... I like the fact that it reduces my carbon footprint since it's made in the U.S. ; )
Ms. Meacham: Money Maven Apr 28, 2009, 8:36pm EDT
Great tip on the T-Gen substitute too Chris.
Alicia Loudon Apr 28, 2009, 8:44pm EDT
I love dollar tree.We also have a fred's,dollar general,and family dollar.(those aren't actually one dollar stores though.
Ms. Meacham: Money Maven Apr 28, 2009, 9:00pm EDT
Kimberli T., my main concern with buying toys at the Dollar Tree is of buying ones coated with lead paint (something anything older that says "Made in China" on it are more likely to have). Regrettably, there's no way to test the toys in the store. (CPSC Staff Study: Home Lead Test Kits Unreliable).
The best cleaning product I've ever found is found at dollar stores only. It's called "Awesome", and is a concentrate cleaner. It gets out stains in laundry, grease on cabinets and the hood of an oven, scrubs out messes on the carpet, etc. The only thing I don't use it for is washing the windows, because it leaves streaks.
Ms. Meacham: Money Maven Apr 28, 2009, 9:08pm EDT
But, perhaps I'm just being a worry wort Kimberli....
Ms. Meacham: Money Maven Apr 28, 2009, 9:20pm EDT
Great tip on the "Awesome" product Princess Spanky Pants. I see that when I go in, but have always wondered if it really worked. Sounds like it does. Right on. I'll save a bundle not having to buy $4 Fantastic.

As to windows, I picked up a designer-looking window wash at the Dollar Tree one time, and it too left streaks. However, the bulk generic window washing liquid there works fine (and is a steal at $1, unless you make your own from vinegar, detergent and water).
Tammy N. Apr 28, 2009, 9:26pm EDT
We used to have a "Little Bucks" store. It was fantastic!!! It has been replaced with a Dollar Tree. The quality had declined signifcantly. I get some homeschool supplies there from the stationary dept and a few seasonal items on occasion... but that is pretty much it.
For the "Awesome", get the opaque clear bottle, with the yellow liquid and red writting! The other stuff is already diluted down for the same price. The concentrate goes SO much further!
Ms. Meacham: Money Maven Apr 28, 2009, 10:41pm EDT
Right on Princess. Thanks for the "Awesome" bonus tip!
Ms. Meacham: Money Maven Apr 28, 2009, 10:42pm EDT
Sorry to hear that Tammy. I agree, it can be hit or miss unless you know exactly what you're looking for.
Sue B.© The Sting IS Worse Than the Buzz Apr 28, 2009, 11:12pm EDT
I like to go there to find ribbons and bows, silk flowers and other baubles to add to wrapped packages, and sometimes I can even find wrapping paper that I like. I also buy Awesome there. It's got lots of chemicals so I don't like to use it often, but my dog had bitten into a huge bone I had bought him at the pet store, and a shard must have gotten into his gums. He bled over a white sweater of mine, and the carpet, and Awesome got it out completely.
Ms. Meacham: Money Maven Apr 29, 2009, 12:15am EDT
Awesome testimonial Sue B. ; )
Debra C. Apr 29, 2009, 1:10am EDT
I'm selective, but find some things cheaper at Dollar Tree -- Crunch 'n Munch is one thing (my parents love it). Dollar General in this area has some good bargains on some things if you comparison shop -- and they take coupons.
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Apr 29, 2009, 6:32pm EDT
I love the dollar store. I never go in for anything in particular but always find a good buy. Greeting cards are great, and some are lovely. Hair accessories, some name brand snacks, and I agree about the frames, I have found some very nice frames at the dollar store.
R B Apr 29, 2009, 6:47pm EDT
You just have to be a shopper and know prices. Sometimes Dollar Stores are more. Lots of stores to compare. A Dollar Tree has been bere 6 years, but haven't been yet.
kathleen w. May 4, 2009, 11:46am EDT
thanks! I love their windex refill , I do half and half and clean everything with it ....I also sometimes fine some good snacks though some are yucky....I got a foam soap dispenser there a few years ago, and a tip I got on line is that when it runs out, add either a few teaspoons of liquid soap if you have it, or if not dish soap works well....and lasts forever and the foam clens you up!
Ms. Meacham: Money Maven May 4, 2009, 2:54pm EDT
Good tip on the soap foam Kathleen. Thank you all for sharing your picks!!!

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