17 Dollar Store Deals That Will Actually Save You Money

Your local dollar store (and here I’m referring specifically to stores that sell many things for $1, rather than more general discount stores like Family Dollar) can be a great place to buy all kinds of different products. But while $1 usually sounds like a good deal in the abstract, it isn’t always going to be the best price you can find!

Dollar stores aren’t as common as they once were, unfortunately. Back in 2021, Dollar Tree raised their base price to $1.25, and also added items that are priced even higher. Most “dollar” stores still have some items that cost around a buck, and some have a specific section of the store where everything is a dollar. You might have to do a little investigating in your area to find the stores with the most one-dollar items, but they can still be found!

In order to ensure you’re getting the most bang for your buck at the dollar store, I decided to do some fact-finding so I could put together a list of dependably good deals you can find at the dollar store. I’ll be sharing that list with you in today’s post, and although every dollar store is going to be a little different, it should give you a good idea of what to keep an eye out for.

And as always, I’d love to hear from you about what you typically buy at the dollar store – and let me know if the price has gone up! If there’s anything you think is missing from this list, share it with us in a comment at the end of this post. :-)

17 Of The Best Things To Buy At The Dollar Store

1. Party Supplies

Stocking up on supplies for a party can cost a small fortune at a party supply store or big box store. Get your party supplies at the dollar store instead, especially if you’re getting balloons too. (You can get up to twice as many balloons for your money at dollar stores than you would somewhere else!

2. Sponges

If you replace your kitchen sponges as often as you should, you may already be aware of how fast a pack of new sponges can get used up! But you can get a 6-pack of sponges at Dollar Tree for $1, which lowers your cost to less than 13 cents per sponge.

3. Dish Towels

You can’t beat dollar store pricing for washcloths and dish towels. While it’s worth considering that they aren’t always the most absorbent or the most durable, you can always set them aside for especially grimy cleaning projects if they don’t work out for kitchen duty.

4. Reading Glasses

In the years since I started needing reading glasses to see my phone or computer, I’ve lost more pairs than I care to admit! If you tend to misplace your readers (or they simply vanish into thin air like mine do), stocking up on a few pairs at the dollar store may not be a bad idea!

5. Cards

At other stores, a single greeting card can cost between $5 and $10 depending on how elaborate it is! If you’re not looking for a card with quality paper or detailed decoration, get your greeting cards at the dollar store instead. (They’ll mean just as much to the recipient, after all!)

6. Bucket

From unexpected plumbing leaks to soaking stained clothing, a plastic bucket is a handy thing to have in any household! Grab one or two extras on your next trip to the dollar store for washing the car, cleaning floors, weeding the yard, and more.

7. Gift Wrap

The cost of wrapping paper, tissue paper, and gift bags can be up to three times as much at other stores. If you’re like me and can’t pass up an occasion to give a gift, stock up on your gift wrap supplies at the dollar store instead and save a small fortune!

8. Seasonal Decor

Most dollar stores offer a surprisingly good variety of seasonal decor items! Pick up a few festive decorations before the next holiday, but you may want to avoid getting your holiday lights there, as lights from discount stores tend to have a poor track record for safety.

9. Storage Bins And Baskets

They may not be the most aesthetically pleasing storage bins you can find, but bins and baskets from the dollar store work just as well as the more expensive ones! At dollar store prices, you can afford to buy enough bins to use in every room to organize toys, craft supplies, clothes, and other items.

10. Bobby Pins

Bobby pins are another one of those items I just can’t seem to hang on to. But I can rest a little easier knowing that I can pick up a set of 72 new bobby pins for just a buck at the dollar store. ;-)

11. Dinnerware

The biggest advantage of the dinnerware, mugs, and drinking glasses available at the dollar store is that they’re often available to buy individually. I like to buy one or two extra mugs or plates to keep on hand, so that way I have a quick replacement I can grab in case something breaks.

12. Travel Toiletries

You can usually get a good deal on travel-sized toiletries like toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, and soap at the dollar store. They’re great for travel (especially if you’re flying with just a carry-on bag) or to keep handy in a purse, car, or backpack.

13. Card Games, Balls, And Bubbles

Card games, balls, bubbles, and other low-tech toys don’t tend to vary much in quality no matter where you buy them. So save a few bucks and pick up these items at the dollar store instead.

14. Small Notebooks

You can usually get standard-sized notebooks for less than $1 at Walmart, but other sizes tend to be more expensive. That’s why I like getting small notebooks (and notecards too) at the dollar store, which are great for making lists and jotting down reminders for myself.

15. Mailing Supplies

Mailing supplies can be dirt cheap at some stores, but cost an arm and a leg at others! I’ve found that dollar stores are a good place to save on mailing supplies, especially on things like bubble mailers, bubble wrap, and packing tape.

16. Pens & Markers

If you can find name-brand pens or markers at your local dollar store, go ahead and stock up! If not, you may want to steer clear—nothing is more frustrating than ending up with a whole box of pens that refuse to work properly.

17. Craft Supplies

Have kids or grandkids that love art or making crafts? You can save a lot of money by stocking up on craft supplies like stickers, popsicle sticks, pom poms, beads, and other items at the dollar store.

All in all, dollar stores can be a great place to find a bargain. Just make sure you shop carefully and mindfully because it’s easy to buy things you don’t necessarily need when everything costs a dollar!

What do you like to buy at the dollar store?