Most of my weekly shopping happens in one place.
I like getting in and out, sticking to my list, and not wasting half a Saturday chasing tiny discounts across town. For me, that usually means one main grocery store and done.
But there’s one extra stop I always make each month, and it’s my local Dollar Tree.
It’s not where I buy everything. In fact, some things there are a waste of money. But there are a handful of items I grab every single time because the price is hard to beat and the quality is surprisingly decent.
From basic pantry staples to little household essentials, these are the 20 things I always buy at the dollar store to save money.
20 Things I Always Buy at Dollar Tree
Every now and then I’ll toss something random into my cart, but most of the time I walk into Dollar Tree with a plan. I’m there for a short list of basics I refuse to pay more for anywhere else.
Some prices are just too good to ignore. When you can grab everyday essentials for around a dollar, it almost feels wrong to buy them at a regular store for two or three times the price.
If you shop carefully and stick to the right categories, the savings add up fast. These are the 20 things I always buy at the dollar store without hesitation.
Flip-flops
It’s hard to beat $1 shoes no matter how cheap or flimsy they are. We do most of our vacations at the beach, and Dollar Tree flip-flops are perfect for those trips.
Lose a shoe in the ocean? Forget them at your hotel? Who cares?
It’s hard to stress over a pair of shoes that costs just a dollar. But really, I’ve had Dollar Tree flip-flops last for years. That’s why I keep buying them. And since most similar shoes would cost $5 or more elsewhere, you can save $4 or more per pair.
Cards
I’m awful when it comes to birthdays and anniversaries, often forgetting about them until the last minute. Fortunately, I’ve learned to keep a bunch of cards in stock so I can mail them out on the fly.
Dollar Tree lets you buy two cards for $1, which makes it easy to stock up on generic cards for emergencies. I typically buy 10 cards every few months – a few for birthdays, and some for other occasions. I also buy Dollar Tree’s blank cards so I can fill them out however I want.
Since birthday and anniversary cards can easily cost $4 or more at the supermarket or drug store, this is a huge savings!
Balloons
While I rarely buy balloons for birthdays and special occasions, there are times when I’ll splurge. At Dollar Tree, you can get a balloon for $1, five balloons for $5, and so on. If you don’t like any of the balloons that are already prepared, they’ll also blow one up for you.
Balloons can cost $5 and up at the grocery store, so this is an awesome deal when you need balloons for any reason. The Dollar Tree doesn’t normally have specialty balloons or large balloons in animal shapes, but the basic balloons they do have are nice.
Party Supplies
Along with balloons, Dollar Tree is a great place to buy party supplies. You can buy solid color tablecloths, plastic cutlery, napkins, and more – all for $1 a package.
I always buy my kid’s birthday party supplies here. They don’t always have the most up-to-date party “themes,” and their stuff isn’t fancy, but it’s good enough for me. Dollar Tree is also a great place to buy paper plates to use for barbecues or dinners when you don’t feel like doing dishes.
Wrapping Paper
If you don’t keep wrapping paper in stock, it’s easy to overspend in a crisis. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve paid $5 or more for wrapping paper in the store when I was in a hurry.
These days, we keep wrapping paper from the Dollar Tree in stock all the time. It’s only $1 per roll, and we try to buy generic patterns that can work for any occasion. I also buy holiday wrapping paper here at the end of the year.
Gift Bags
Gift bags are another Dollar Tree steal that are crazy expensive at regular stores. I frequently see gift bags for $5 or more at the grocery store, yet they’re only (you guessed it) $1 at the Dollar Tree.
The selection may not be that great, but you can’t beat the price. I’ve had the best luck finding gift bags for baby showers and birthdays, but they do have cute holiday bags at the end of the year, too. It’s always smart to keep a few of these on hand. You never know when you’ll have to prepare a last-minute gift, and gift bags make the wrapping part easy.
School and Office Supplies
Since my husband and I work at home, we occasionally need to buy supplies for our office – pens, pencils, Sharpies, and markers. We always find what we need for $1 at Dollar Tree. The only office supply I wish they would carry is printer paper.
We also buy some of our kid’s school supplies here. They don’t always have everything we need, but they usually have pens, paper, glue, erasers, and so on. Whether you’re trying to stock up for your own kids or simply want supplies to donate, Dollar Tree has some good deals.
Paint Supplies
My local Dollar Tree has an entire section full of paint brushes and supplies. They’ve got small brushes for edging or big ones for large walls, rolling pans, and roller brushes. They also have painting tape and other supplies.
Since paint brushes run about $3 to $10 (and sometimes more) at Lowe’s or Home Depot, the brushes at Dollar Tree are a steal. They may not be the world’s best quality, but they work fine for most painting jobs. Since I like to touch up the interior paint of my home occasionally, I keep these brushes on hand at all times.
Medicine and First Aid
Generic Tylenol, Band-Aids, and cough drops are all things I buy regularly at Dollar Tree. They also have eye drops, medicine for kids, and first-aid supplies.
While it’s easy to assume Dollar Tree medicine is sketchy, you can check expiration dates before you buy. We’ve been using medicine and first-aid supplies from Dollar Tree for a long time, and we’ve never had a problem.
Razors
Razors can be insanely expensive at the grocery store or the drug store. But, at Dollar Tree, everything is only $1!
You can buy 5-packs of the flimsy single disposable razors, or 3-packs of the nicer luxury razors. I tend to buy the 3-packs of the nicer razors because they last longer. If you’re not picky about which brand of razor you use, these are a steal.
Dental Care
I buy nearly all our dental care items at Dollar Tree – things like floss, toothpaste, and mouthwash. They have plenty of name brands like Colgate and Crest, and the prices can’t be beat.
Over time, I’ve found it’s smarter to keep extra toothbrushes and toothpaste on hand. That way, I don’t wind up spending more on supplies at the grocery store. I even keep extra kid’s toothbrushes on hand for when our kids’ friends stay the night. Their kid’s toothbrushes are an especially good deal at three for a $1.
Brushes and Hair Ties
My kids go through brushes and ponytail holders like it’s their part-time job. I probably buy 100 plain ponytail holders every few months. They end up in the trash, or stashed somewhere when my kids take their ponytails out.
Fortunately, it’s easy to stock up when everything is $1. I typically buy a few packs of ponytail holders, hair pins, and clips each time I visit the store.
Snacks
While I’m fairly picky about the food I buy at Dollar Tree, I’m not against stocking up on cheap snacks. Whether I’m buying cookies for a party or some chips to snack on at home, Dollar Tree has a pretty good selection at $1 each.
I occasionally buy their canned goods, and I’ve been known to stock up on coffee and coffee filters there, too. Since their food options change all the time, I tend to buy whatever they have that’s a good deal.
\Seasonings
If you buy spices and seasonings often, you already know how expensive they can be. At my local Kroger, spices are usually in the $3 to $8 range depending on what you’re buying and how much.
At Dollar Tree, all their spices and seasonings are just $1. They don’t have a huge selection, but what they do offer is a good deal. I regularly buy seasoning salt, garlic salt, garlic powder, and dried basil there.
Plastic Bags
Whether you need small sandwich bags or gallon-size bags for freezing, it’s hard to beat Dollar Tree pricing. They have the same bags my local Kroger offers, but for $1 each.
I try not to use too many bags, but I do keep a stash in case the kids need them for school or something special. Gallon-size bags are also especially handy when it comes to freezing soups or leftovers.
Ideally, I like to use reusable containers when I can – like, for my kids’ lunches. But there are still plenty of occasions where plastic bags come in handy.
Trash Bags
I buy all our trash bags at Dollar Tree, mostly because I don’t mind the generic brands. We have a small trash can anyway, so I don’t mind the type with the flaps instead of the drawstring, either. And I certainly don’t mind the $1 price tag! After all, a box of trash bags at my local grocery store is usually $5 or more.
I also buy tiny trash bags for our bathroom trashcans at Dollar Tree. That way, I have bags available when we run out of used grocery store bags.
Cleaning Supplies
While not all cleaning supplies are a good deal, Dollar Tree does offer an array of smart options for $1. I tend to buy glass cleaner, toilet cleaner, and other basic cleaning supplies there.
I also buy two-packs of those bleach packets for toilets. While those are $5 or more at the grocery store, they’re just $1 at Dollar Tree.
Brooms and Other Supplies
Recently, I bought an outdoor broom specifically for my garage. I’ve also bought dust pans, scrub brushes, and sponges at Dollar Tree. They typically have cleaning clothes, plungers and other supplies as well.
While prices vary, it’s hard to find any of these items elsewhere for anything close to $1.
Batteries
Batteries can be expensive depending on where you buy them. At Kroger, for example, an 8-pack of AA batteries typically costs $5.99 or more. At Dollar Tree, on the other hand, you can buy nearly any type of battery for $1.
The downside here is that the selection isn’t always that great. Plus, all of their batteries are off-brand. If you can get past those issues, you’ll save plenty of money!
The Bottom Line
If you want to save money on food and household supplies, don’t forget to check your local dollar store. While not everything they offer is an excellent deal, there are plenty of bargains to be had. And if you’re willing to make a monthly trip, you can stock up on the items that make sense and avoid paying more elsewhere.
Just be sure to check the size of each item so you can make an apples-to-apples comparison. While it’s possible to score full-size items for $1, dollar and discount stores occasionally offer a sample sizes for the lower price. It’s up to you to compare ounces or amounts of whatever you’re buying so you can ensure you’re getting the best deal possible.
Hi, I’m Ashley a freelance writer who’s passionate about personal finance. Ever since I was young, I’ve been fascinated by the power of money and how it can shape our lives. I’ve spent years learning everything I can about budgeting, saving, investing and retirement planning. So if you are looking for tips, advice, or just a little bit of inspiration to help you on your financial journey, you have come to the right place. I am always here to help, and I am excited to share my passion for personal finance with you.
