What to Buy And What Not To at the Dollar Store

We all love a good deal. Stores where everything costs $1 seem like the best thing in the world, but sometimes they can trick you into wasting money. Bear in mind that not all dollar stores are created equal. These tips are based mainly on my experiences at Dollar Tree, a very common dollar store, as well as the discount stores Family Dollar and Dollar General. Your experiences may vary.

WHAT TO BUY

Anything Disney.
With Disney, you have at least some modicum of a quality guarantee. If you find Disney stickers, Disney coloring books, or Disney action figures at the dollar store, chances are you won't find them at a better price. Go for it.

Some sodas.
Not all sodas are a good deal at $1/can, and some of them are dented, sticky, and gross. However, you might find some energy drinks for much less than they sell at the grocery store, as well as sodas that might be difficult to find elsewhere. I was particularly happy with two 16-ounce cans of IBC root beer for $1 at the Dollar Tree.

Kitchen supplies.
Surprisingly, things like knives, whisks, and potholders from the dollar store seem to hold up. I outfitted a lot of my kitchen at the Dollar Tree, and it's been about five months going strong. I haven't tried any of their pans, but I suspect the coating might not last too long.

Puzzles and plastic army men.
Most dollar store toys should be avoided, but both puzzles and plastic army men are perfectly functional. Go wild!

WHAT NOT TO BUY

Cleaning supplies.
If you're paying a dollar or less for a spray bottle of something, it's probably not going to work. You can spritz down your kitchen floor with discount cleaner, but trying to get difficult scum off the bathtub is impossible. How about those yellow kitchen gloves that are $.50 a pair? For about $10, you can get yourself a pair of heavy-duty Bluettes at your local hardware store or on eBay, which will last you for years - the best part is, unlike the crappy yellow ones, you can use them in steaming hot water, and they double as potholders in a pinch. It's a much better investment.

Anything that looks like it's in a slightly smaller package than the regular ones.
Many companies will make special dollar store packaging, with the amount of product that would be worth $1 anyway, or less. Double check before you spend like crazy.

Most toys.
If it looks cheap and horrible, it is. Some dollar stores have awful "grab bags" that are always ripped open by eager children, and they're filled with crap, too. Don't waste a dollar.

Food.
Seriously, just don't. You could try checking expiration dates, but a lot of food is code-dated, which means only retailers can tell when it goes bad. I'm pretty sure my local Dollar Tree has had the same orange bottle of squeezable nacho cheese on the shelves for many years. It might be tempting, but it's almost never a good deal - see my "anything that looks like it's in a slightly smaller package than the regular ones" tip.

These lists are, of course, woefully incomplete. The next time you're in a drug store, craft store, or grocery store, notice how much things the dollar store carries generally cost. Notice if it's the same stuff, or if it's better quality. Next time you're on a dollar store spree, you'll know what to pick up and what to pass.