Dollar Stores: Do’s and Do Not’s

The dollar store can be a great place to shop. These stores have everything you need for any type of party, dishes, personal care, toys and more. It's fun to browse and doing so can often yield some great items for the money. But, not everything in their aisles are worth the buck.

First to note there are several dollar stores in Utah and the products vary from store to store. The products and images in this post are from Dollar Tree. Here's a list of some of my do's and do not's for the dollar store along with a special warning.

Party and Paper Supplies:

OK to say YES to these great values:
*Wrapping paper, gift bags and tissue paper
*Paper Napkins
*Gift Cards, Thank you notes
*Mylar Balloons

Say NO and save the buck:
*Paper Plates (very flimsy)
*Plastic Utensils (break easily and are small)
*Party Favors
*School Supplies (are a much better value at the Office Store)

Kitchen:

OK to say YES to these great values.
*Foil Baking Containers
*Foil Sheets

Say NO and save the buck:
*Oven Mitts (you will get burned)
*Serving Utensils (they are cheap and won't last or take heat)
*Foil and Plastic Wrap (thin and flimsy)

Personal Care:

OK to say YES to these great values:
*Hair Accessories
*Name Brand Toothpaste (even better with a coupon)
*Reading and Sunglasses (check with your eye doctor)

Say NO and save the buck:
*Off brand make up, hair care and lotions
*Travel sized items (usually cheaper at Target and Walmart)
*Razors

Cleaning Supplies:

OK to say YES to these great values:
*Off Brand Magic Erasers
*Off Brand Swiffer Sweeper refills
*Name Brand Cleaners (even better with a coupon)

Say NO and save the buck:
*Paper Towels (lower quality)
*Trash Bags (thin)
*Dish Soap and Laundry Soap (small size)

Toys:

Say YES to these great values:
*Puzzles
*Sidewalk Chalk
*Pool Noodles
*Glow Sticks
*Bubbles

Say NO and save the buck:
*Dolls
*Off brand plastic toys and party favors
*Floating devices (floaties)

Food:

While browsing the dollar store you may occasionally come across a good bargain on food. However, overall I'd suggest you stick to the grocery store for your grocery shopping. Some things may not be what you think.

For example, at first glance, I thought this honey bear was a pretty good deal. But, on closer inspection, I found this was actually honey flavored corn syrup and a bottle of vanilla flavored extract, contained only sugar and caramel and no vanilla at all. Also, when considering oz. for oz. most of the food items I found were a much better purchase at the grocery store, that, in many cases is right in the same shopping complex.

I will add exception to some candy items however. Dollar store goodies include movie theater style candy, Worther's original, and Mars and Hershey products. However, most of these items can also be found at the regular store for the same price.

Last, it's buyer beware for some dollar store items, according to a recent article (4/28/2015) in Women's Day magazine. They report the top 10 most hazardous items at the dollar store. Stating that many items tested contained hazardous chemicals. The article is vague about if these same items purchased elsewhere are safer than those from dollar store sources, leaving me feel as if it's one sided. I suggest you do your own research and always read the labels and avoid the purchase if you are concerned. Check out the full article here.

What are your dollar store do's and font's?