Is Shopping at a Dollar Store worth it?

If you are on a tight budget, it's tempting to shop at a dollar stores.  With prices fixed at just a dollar an item, it's easy to stay within a budget.  However, we've begun to question the values we get at our local dollar stores.

Dollar Store at Landmark Mall - photo by Ser Amantio di Nicolao [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)]

Are we getting the most for our money at dollar stores?  Often the answer seems to be no.  Cheap toilet paper may do in a pinch, but when you are working with what appear to be half-sized rolls of toilet paper, you run out a lot.  If you use super cheap batteries, they run out of power faster.  If you buy cheap dollar store shampoo and it makes your scalp red and itchy that isn't much of a bargain.  You have to consider the quality and the cost per unit of things you buy at a dollar store.

Generally, you get more of a product for the money when you buy a product at a grocery store or big box retailer than at a dollar store.  However, in some cases, when you don't need as much of a product or its just an occasional purchase, a dollar store makes more sense.  The key thing to think about is whether you are getting a good value for your dollar no matter where it is spent.

We find dollar stores a great place to purchase gift bags, greeting cards, seasonal decorations, some office supplies, tooth brushes, and toothpaste. 

Dollar Tree Dental Hygiene

Dollar Tree is the best place to buy tooth brushes, tooth paste, and dental floss.  They have well-respected brand name products like Reach tooth brushes and Colgate tooth paste.  They also have Pluckers floss tooth picks and dental floss.  I've also gotten good deals on mouth wash.  We picked up this Colgate toothpaste as part of our last Dollar Tree Haul!

Colgate Toothpaste from Dollar Tree

If you are on a tight budget, you need to take care of your teeth and avoid cavities.  If you brush, floss, and get your teeth cleaned at a dentist on a regular basis, you may avoid more expensive dental work.

Big Savings From Our Dollar Tree Haul

We're kicking off the new year by talking about our most recent Dollar Tree haul.  There are three ways to save money when buying merchandise.  First, you can save money at conventional stores by shopping sales and using coupons.  Second, you can save money by buying in bulk and paying a lower unit price per item.  Third, you can buy minimal quantities that you'll actually use at predictable prices that fit into a tight budget.  Dollar Tree fulfills this third path to saving money splendidly.

A $55 Dollar Tree Haul

On our most recent Dollar Tree run, we spent an astonishing $55.  But, we bought necessities and snacks that will save us even more money over the course of a pay period.  For example. on the way home, we munched on a $1 batch of European cookies.  Consequently, we were able to breeze right by Starbucks, McDonalds, and gas station convenience stores where we might have bought a snack.  Having that $1 roll of cookies allowed us to avoid $4 to $12 in fast food snacks.