The Top 10 Items You Should Never Pay Full Price For

These items area always available with discounts or at a dollar store. Take it from me, some things you never have to pay full price for. How would I know? My husband and I have been living off of coupons and dollar stores for almost our entire marriage. Even when we're in the black budget-wise, we still use these methods.

Here's the technique you should use in regards to these items. First of all, clip coupons for them. You get coupons all the time in the mail, browse them, clip them, and put them in a container that you can always take with you when you shop. Second of all, always go to the dollar store before you go to whatever store where you do your main shopping. Going to the dollar store first is an insurance policy, this way you can double check and see if it's there first. If it's not, no sweat, you still have the coupon.

I notice that many people turn their noses up at dollar stores, maybe they feel embarrassed about the idea of shopping there. But don't let your pride keep you from life-changing savings that can help your entire family. At least give it one try. Test what I tell you in this article and see if it's true.

Here are the top 10 items you should never pay full price for.

1.) Candy/Gum - Candy and gum may seem cheap already. But you can get them cheaper! If you go to the dollar store, you can typically get packages of two or three packs of gum instead of paying for just one. This is the same story with candy and all the name brands are there. Candy is always on sale, in drug stores especially. It's also a better value to stock up on gum by buying it in bulk.

2.) Cleaning Supplies - Every type of cleaning supply that you can think of either has a coupon or is for sale at the dollar store for...you guessed it, a dollar. Toilet bowl cleaner, dish detergent, bleach, floor cleaner, laundry detergent, softener, mops, brooms, trash bags, everything! Don't make the mistake of paying full price for any of these things.

3.) Birthday Cards - Any kind of cards really. Sure, going to Hallmark may be more of a fun experience, but when money is tight and you can't afford it, that doesn't mean you can't get anything for someone on their special occasion. The dollar store always has them, and now almost every superstore has a card section with selections for 99 cents of less. Never pay full price for a card if you don't want to.

4.) Pretzels/Chips - Have you seen the snack food aisle at dollar stores? They're packed. It's a lot of off brands, but not entirely. Honestly, husbands and kids don't have brand loyalty to snacks. And they go through them like water, so this is a great area to save money.

5.) Shampoo and Conditioner - The majority of coupons in your junk mail are for hair care products, hair dyes, shampoos, conditioners, treatments, you name it. You never have to pay full price for shampoo. I typically take the coupon approach vs. the dollar store method here because my favorite brands aren't usually available at the dollar store. But rest assured, if you're in dire straits, you can get shampoo and conditioner as well as soap and other hygiene needs at your nearest dollar store.

6.) Toothpaste/Toothbrushes - This is similar to the shampoo/conditioner situation. Only at dollar stores, they almost always have plenty of name brands to choose from. In fact, we can often afford a better type of toothpaste than what we can get at Wal-Mart even. The sizes are sometimes smaller, and do double check the prices. For example, it's not a good value to get the already cheap Ultra-Bright brand of toothpaste at the dollar store. But if you want something nicer like Aquafresh or Crest, it's a great deal.

7.) Party Supplies - Everything from napkins to platters to banners to plates to flatware to decorations...you name it, your local dollar store has it. Party supplies you can always get for cheap, but your money stretches further at discount stores. You could throw an average party buying supplies at a superstore, but you could throw a lavishly decorated one if you get your things at the dollar store. Trust me on this, I've done it! (There are more selections of crepe paper in these places than you could even imagine.)

8.) Air Freshener/Candles - Name brand air fresheners are all over dollar stores, as are candles. Tea Lights are an especially good deal at these discount stores. And let's face it; air fresheners are always way over-priced, even at places like Wal-Mart and Target. They're not a necessity in life, but if you still want to use them, you can afford them at the dollar store.

9.) Dishes and Glassware - Yep, dollar stores typically have rows and rows of glasses, dishes, plates, even collector's items like Coke glasses. Also, look for a restaurant supply store. This is where prices on glassware really get dirt cheap, because they're wholesale. You never have to pay full price for dishes of any kind unless you have your heart set on a particular brand.

10.)Feminine Hygiene Products - I saved this one for last because I didn't want to frighten the men-folk. There's a smaller selection of these at dollar stores, but they get the job done and they are plenty of name brands. Also, coupons for these are all over the place. (Did you know that you can also get free samples at Wal-Mart? You can get lots of free samples there, but you have to go up to the customer service desk and ask. It's worth it though!)