Knives: Pass
I like my fingers.
And have grown quite fond of having ten of them that I would like to keep.
A dull knife isn't worth it.
But that said:
We are still using the Dollar Store serrated steak knives I bought when I moved into my 1st apartment...from 10 years ago! They work great and can go right into the dishwasher. Can't beat that for value! :)
Shelf Liner: Snag it
When we moved into our home last year, the first thing I did before unpacking was line the shelves.
I had no idea the dollar store carried this and ended up spending $10 per roll!
Lesson learned!
Contact Paper: Snag it
I've not personally used it but
I also buy: Contact paper-way cheaper than vinyl
I've never tried it as a vinyl alternative, but it might be worth a shot!
Clothespins: Pass
Our family uses clothespins to hold the bread bag closed or the top of a chip bag.
These clothespins break easily or don't work at all
Several of them literally fell apart in my hand when I reached for them.
Oven Mitts: Pass
Pick one of these up and do a feel test
These oven mitts are so thin you could really only use them for decoration.
Chair Protectors: Snag it
Another household thing I paid too much for when we moved.
We have these on the bottom of the chair legs on the hardwood floors.
I spent $7 for a box of them last year.
Work Gloves: Pass
If you are wearing work gloves, it usually means work is involved.
These gloves are so thin you might as well be wearing nothing.
Invest in a good pair of work gloves and save your buck here.
Decorative rocks: Snag it
The possibilities for these accent stones and other decorative stones are endless.
Use these to make a river rock shower mat
or get the pretty clear ones for the bottom of a vase.
At our Dollar Tree they have clear cylinder vases that are closer to 6.00 at Wal-Mart. They also have the colored stones to go in the bottom of the vases.
Hardback books and CD's: Snag it
I have already professed my love of the library here
but I do keep my eyes peeled in the book/CD section just in case.
Books---hardback nice books are often there.
Photo Paper: Snag it
I don't have a photo printer, but I have heard from several of you that photo paper is nice to have on hand.
School Supplies: Snag it
When I get my kids school supply list I make a master list of the items they need
(5 composition notebooks, 2 bottles of hand sanitizer, 1 calculator)
When I am shopping for items in August I carry that list with me
After I hit all of the super save sales at the big stores
I hit the Dollar Store for some of the remaining items.
Or if the kids run out of supplies mid year when there aren't any sales, this is a great place to find them.
Poster Board: Snag it
Most kids will need this for a project at some point in their school career
It's good to know you can find it here for 50 cents
Foam Board: Snag it
I used foam board for one of my favorite art pieces that I made for my sons room
It's lightweight and can be used for so many things.
Fire Starter: Snag it
We BBQ year round and always have these on hand
With young kids in the house, I would rather have these around than matches or a lighter.
Sharpies: Snag it
Cheap and permanent
I always have one in my purse
Scented Candles: Pass
I already mentioned in part 1 about buying smelly household items.
The things that are supposed to smell don't
(and ironically some of the things that shouldn't smell do)
Skip on these
Gift Wrap: snag it
I know most people aren't wrapping present anymore, but when you do, there are some great prints for only a buck.
Gift Bags: Snag it
Out of all of the comments, most of you told me that you pick up your gift bags at the Dollar Store.
I don't buy bags often but there have been times when my supply has been running low and I have picked a few up.
I so agree with the tissue paper and would include the gift bags because sometimes my recycled gift bag assortment amazingly doesn't have just the "right" bag for the occasion.
Party Supplies: Snag it (cautiously)
The party supplies are great for kids birthday parties or school parties but I would skip them if you need heavy duty paper ware.
There is a huge assortment of colors to match any party
Plastic cutlery: Pass
I sometimes buy these to put inside my kids lunches but would be embarrassed to use them for a party.
They are flimsy and break easily and I'm not the only one that hasn't had a good experience with them.
I totally agree. Another pass - the plasticware (to use at parties), breaks as soon as you use it!
Ribbon: Snag it
Several of you told me you pick up their ribbon.
I had no idea the Dollar store carried such an assortment.
I like those little plastic treat bags that have pictures printed on them and curly ribbon. I use them to wrap up my handmade items that I sell online. It only costs a few cents and makes my customers feel like they got something special because they get a cute package to open when their order arrives.
Candles: Snag it
Always good to have on hand
You never know when you will need them
Party Trays: Snag it
There are several different shapes and sizes to choose from at our dollar store.
A thing to snag is the silver trays...they are so pretty to take to a party when I bring a dish to share...and i can just leave the tray..for 1$ it is ok!
Straws: Snag it
I always have these on hand at home.
My kids are too big for sippy cups, but still occasionally spill
I have several insulated cups from Starbucks that we use at home.
A drink is always more fun with a straw in it!
Invitations and thank you notes: Snag it
There are so many ways to make invitations special and do it without spending a lot of money, but if you are looking for doing it the quick and easy way, the dollar store has some great invitations that don't cost a lot of money.
I loved this set that also had matching thank you notes.
Kids Party Supplies/Favors: Snag it
The Dollar Store is always the first place I check for party supplies.
There are several very popular kids themes and you can usually find something to go along with your parties theme
More party items: Snag it
You can also sometimes get balloon weights there, much cheaper than the party store.
I did find balloon weights at our store, and cute favor boxes.
It's worth stopping at the dollar store first before you hit the party supply store
Cards: Snag it
Another huge response in my comments section was for the greeting cards.
Our store has a huge selection and always features cards for upcoming holidays (mother's day, graduation, etc...)
You can't beat the price!
love the greeting cards @ 2/$1!
Are you surprised about some of the things you can pick up at the Dollar Store?
I know I was!
Anything I missed that you would like to add to the list?
19 comments:
I love to get clear glassware at the dollar store too. You can get 2 martini glasses for just $1. I painted a few sets as gifts for friends. You can do a set of 4 glasses, 4 plates, and 4 bowls for less that $10 usually. Mine have lasted for years!
~Carolyn
I didn't know they had foam core or those floor protectors for the feet of my chairs. Cool!
The cards are so great! I like to send cards and get pretty much all of mine there!
This is kind of in the party supplies and I didn't see it, so I get most of my baby shower and holiday decorations there--especially St. Patrick's Day, Easter, July 4th, autumn, etc. There was a lot of decorations for school classrooms too. I LOVE checking out the holiday stuff!
Good list! Is there going to be a part 5?
I second the glassware. Have handpainted painted several also and they do not burst in the oven when setting the paint! Same goes for the white ceramic mugs. I've painted lots of those too without many problems. The one thing you do have to watch for on the mugs is chips from careless stocking and sometimes a small dot where the glaze didn't cover. So as long as you inspect them for flaws first, grab those babies up!
Oooh and coloring books and flash cards. Both are crazy expensive elsewhere!
What fabulous guidance you offer. Thank you. I will be heading to the dollar store soon to do some snagging! ~Kelly
GREAT series ! In the clothespins, I have never tried them for clothes BUT, I use them all the time for the banners I make. I cover w/ a scrap of paper from whatever banner I've made and they work OK for those but we're taking paper / cardstock here...not clothes lol
I have used the wrapping paper & for me...I like to spring for a better quality. The dollar store paper is thin & depending on the color, you can see what's inside!! Though that's just my experience with it!
Another great post! I use the clothespins for crafts and decor and they work for that but I agree to actually use them, they come apart too easily!
I love those snack cups! I hadnt noticed them..but i will use them for sure! I have a 9month baby, and these will be perfect! and hey if i lose them..theyre only $1! Thanks for that!
Also, You can find some great scrapbooking supplies as well that are worth it..They have the clear plastic page protector sheets for 12x12 albums, and are so much cheaper than the store..They also have held up just fine!
i also agree with other poster about holiday decor..i think most of my holiday decor is from the dollar store..
Reading this really makes me want to go to the $ store now and STOCK UP! :)
Hi, I just found this article on pinterest and I loved it! Our dollar store is usually the first place I go for things. I buy practically everything from there. Except most of the stuff you said to pass on. I agree with them. When I got married, my mom bought all the decorations for the reception there.
I planned my best friend's baby shower last month and we bought almost everything there. The only thing we didn't get there was the game prizes.
Lastly, I like to stock up on cooking utensils and wine glasses. If they break it's not a big deal because they're only a dollar!
I like to use to overly thin oven mits as fancy gift pouches or stockings at Christmas just to switch it up a little :)
I Want more!!! i just became a Dollar store shopper my mom never went in there and I cant seem to stay out it so cool what all you can find!! however I love there clothespins I often go in there and buy only that ours is rally tiny :( I have to go to the next town over to get most of the good stuff!!
My camping bin is full of dollar store items...the silverware, knives, smaller versions of baking pans, tin foil, the wash rags, list goes on. I like them because if they get lost, ruined on the open fire, so dirty not worth washing you are only out a dollar.
I also have supplemented my ceramic bowls and glassware here. Three boys are rough on them.
From what I found through pinterest, Dollar Store is best place to do DIY projects or art/crafts with kids! Lets see what to snag or not to snag when it comes to DIY projects!
I've had terrible luck with the straws at the dollar tree, specifically the bendy straws. Over half of the straws in one package I bought had pinholes in them right where they flex, and weren't good for anything other than disappointment. They don't have any suction if there's a hole.
Great thing to snag: My dollar tree has sticky notes, like the large sized ones, that are just fantastic for taking notes in textbooks. If you go to staples and look for the brand name, the same size post its are like $10! I also picked up a led light for a closet and it's great for that. My closet has no light so it's great to be able to look in at night.
Best deal: 3 pack of pop rocks.
Look out for subtle knockoff brands in the candy aisle. I came across a bag of what I thought were Sunkist gummies, but they were actually, upon closer examination, "Sinkist" gummies.
And their vienna sausage is actually usually old, usually when I get it (I love it!), the "broth" has sort of gelatinized. Tastes the same, but you do sort of have to deal with not being able to pour off the liquid. (Still yummy)
Oh, one more thing to buy: Pet food bowls. I buy them for water bowls for my cats because they always want water everywhere in the house, because if you go to a pet store, the big bowls they have for $1 at the dollar tree are at least $6. Oh, scissors, too. I buy them almost every time I go because someone inevitably ends up walking off with them and they disappear.
Also, anyone have a Five Below near them? Are there any items one should avoid when buying there? I've run into a couple: Their generic nail polish, mini polish sets (even name brand, they are SUPER thick & dried out), metal water bottles (they have an odor inside), and their cuticle clippers. Good things to pick up there: Nail polish stickers (the full nail pattern ones), Brand name polish, Lunch boxes (metal!), posters, and their mix and match candy (I stock up on laffy taffy here)
I love using the decorative rocks in the bottoms of my outdoor planters for additional drainage. They work really well and I just rinse and re-use them. It's much cheaper than anything I've found at Walmart or Lowes.
Actually, the photo paper is AWFUL. We have a brand new printer, but even that doesn't make a difference. The dollar tree photo paper looks fine when it's first done printing, but if you touch it with anything (even just stacking it with other papers) it smears. It's not worth a dollar. The Target brand works just as well and is about the same price.
Thanks so much for the guidance! I frequent the dollar store and have wondered about some of the very things you've mentioned. Can't wait to try the knock-off miracle erasers. Use the name brand like crazy! Will love saving that money! I know this was time consuming. Thanks again! Hitting the dollar store again soon and experimenting myself.
Ummm.... hair brushes, hair cuting scissor, & the nicer packs of hairbands there they maybe in less in quantity but are better made the little rubbands for your hair they are the same at walmart just cheaper.
The kitchen utensils are the best I've had mine over 3 years the ones I have except the whisk but I'm not sure if that was the product oor the person uusing it....
The brooms and dust pans are a must and the bleach.
The arts and crafts section LOVE IT....
And the stylus for ur android phones or iphone section get them there they work sometimes better than the 15 dollar ones at walmart I will post more next time at dollor s
Nice post, and I agree with almost everything you say.
One exception is clothes pegs. While I agree that the wood ones are lousy, the bamboo ones are excellent. They're water resistant, don't get weathered, I'm going on year three with them and they look the same as when they were new, and none have broken.
In another post you mentioned toothbrushes are a grab, but the one my husband bought me lost bristles when I brushed my teeth and I tossed in on use number two because ain't nobody got time for that.
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