In my effort to save money, I am trying to see if those places are worth my drive across town

I never shop at them, seems like it's all made in china junk.

I have bought two things in the $ store that I can remember... pony tail holders, worked great the first use, but stretched out so bad they were a single use item. What a waste.

Wrapping paper to line the bottom of dresser drawers... so thin that it ripped and tore just trying to fit it into the draw... again what a waste.

I know some talk about finding food and such cheap, but I've always been able to find stuff cheaper at the normal grocery store if I pay attention to the sales, etc.

My suggestion to you would be to think about what it is that you might buy there and go over there some day to do some research.

good luck

I purchase cleaning supplies from them and they work fine. I've also found some skeins of yarn, small coin purses that have held up for 2+ years. I have also found and went back to purchase more food storage containers that are air and water tight, they are wonderful and I wish I found them earlier for storing my dry grains and beans in. It all depends on what you are looking for and what you need. The trick is to still be a savy shopper and know your prices and what quality you want so you don't buy junk. I visit my favorite local shop once a month just to walk through.

It really depends on what kind of dollar store it is, there are some that carry nothing but cheap items of china, then there are others that carry many brand name items. I have a dollar tree near me which is excellent. It next to the A&P that I shop at so I alway go there first. It carries frozen and refrigerated foods, as well as many clothing items, (socks,underwear, hats, gloves, etc.) Last week I got smart ones dinners, turkey bacon, eggs, 16oz frozen veggies, wax paper, and garbage bags. All these items would have been over a dollar next door. I would say Dollar Tree chain is probably the best of them. I would go once and look around, you might be pleasantly surprised.:cloud9:

I do shop at the dollar store quite a bit. I buy cards, plastic wrap, baggies, wrapping paper, mugs to fill with candy as small gifts, photo albums and small kitchen utensils. I'm sure there is more but I can't think of it right know. Anyways, I find it very worthwhile, because the items I get there are usually way higher price at the other stores.
________________________
Krissy

I like them but the closest one is 30 miles away so we rarely go.

Rarely. If I'm looking for a specific item that I don't
want to spend a lot on like a gift bag I will take a
look around. I find I get overwhelmed by all of the
stuff in there. I'm trying to declutter not buy more
clutter to clean. A lot of people enjoy those stores
though.

I always shop at the dollar store (tip, always check where items are made, I never buy china). I have one near me that is awesome! They sell frozen & refrigerated items and the same brands as at my local grocery but ones that are going to expire in a few days. I get frozen pizzas, burritos, etc.. all expiring within 2 days. (I always check grocery store first to make sure it's cheaper at the $ store) I got sausage (at my grocery for $1.99 for the package) for $1 each because they were expiring in 2 days... so I bought 10 and froze them. I also got eggs for $1 for 8 so $2 for 16 and currently, it's $2.49 for a dozen at my local store. I travel 20 mins to go to this specific store because they sell tons of products not made in china and tons of products we use ALL the time. I don't tend to buy novelity items (toys, paperproducts etc..) there except paper towels because the other items seem cheap.

I buy gift bags and cards (2/$1) at Dollar Tree. Also health and beauty items. They sell a lot of regular brands. Ours also has frozen and refrigerated goods. (Many are better prices than reg. store).
Holiday goods are always great.
I also get lots of books, coloring and reg., crayons, stationary, etc. for stocking stuffers.
Dollare Tree is great here. We also have Dollar Gen. and Family Dollar. They all sell national brands for less. I save a lot at these stores.

I also shop the Dollar Tree. It is truely a great store. I shop for my spices, pringles, Salami,Pepperoni, Garlic Bread and so much more.I purchased all my easter candy there this year. (wish I knew about before) We are going on a cruise in May and I have purchased alot of things there. Rain Ponchos,umbrella, first aid items and much much more. I just purcahsed a pair of sock there last week. Set of 3 for $1. I go thru socks really quickly . My husband will take them off my feet if he sees a hole in them. Anyway the socks are quite good quality. Try the Dollar Tree Im sure you'l like it.

There is alot at Dollar Tree that you would spend twice as much on as the grocery. For instance, I found the 100 calorie snacks there. I never would buy the snacks since they cost so much. They satisfied the kids whose friends always have convenience snacks and they feel left out. Too bad I didn't get more as they sold out in 1 day! Otherwise, I buy scrapbooking supplies, books, gift wrap, stocking stuffers, Easter basket stuffers, snack foods, Mondo drinks for lunches, tissues and seed packets there to name a few.

You can make a gift basket for under $10, they even sell the baskets! I highly recommend the dollar store to anyone wanting to save money.

I buy our Pure & Natural bar soap there, sometimes I find name brand shampoo and conditioner and I will purchase it there. Cards are 2/$1 which is a great bargain. I buy wrapping paper and tissue paper there. Party supplies, plastic shower curtain liner. I have found decent kitchen towels, placemats, potholders, decorations (I especially like the halloween ones they have). Gardening gloves, seed packets, and dirt and planters. I also found a couple of posters I brought to work that are really beautiful, I get complimented on them all of the time. No one believes they were from the Dollar Store. Once a month I shop there when I shop at Aldi...another great store that I love :).

I shop the Dollar Tree for wrapping paper, party supplies, and sometimes school supplies! Oh, and greeting cards!

I really like dollar tree our other dollar store is full of junk. I stop in maybe once a month to see what they have. It is a fun cheap little treat. Sometimes they have great stuff other times there isn't a thing I need or want.

Dollar Tree seems to be the best dollar store around here. I have found some really great buys there. It does pay to know your prices though. Also, if you are afraid you might get a little spend happy you might want to only take a couple dollars with you when you go in the store. And always look at the expiration dates.

I LOVE Dollar Tree. I buy little things for grandkids there like puzzles, modeling clay, play dough, jump ropes, bug cages, books, school supplies. I also get scrapbooking materials there, but in our store, those go really fast once they put them on the shelf. Gift wrapping supplies and holiday items are good. I get body wash there for my mom; it's the only kind she likes. I've used other of their health and beauty items, and especially like the spa items, like body butter, sugar scrubs, etc. I rarely buy the food, but the few times I have, I found it satisfactory. I found ceramic stepping stones there that, when paired up with the miniature easels that I also found there, made an awesome wedding gift. I also buy baby supplies there to put together a gift basket for a shower. Socks and gloves were also good.

We have 4 dollar stores in my tiny town. Dollar General, Family Dollar, The Dollar Tree and Fred's (which isn't a dollar store but a discount store). In fact only one is a true dollar store (Dollar Tree). I don't shop in any of them regularly. Occasionally I'll look through to see what they have and find some hidden treasures or bargains (like some really cool blue glass small canisters for cocoa mix for Christmas presents for 88 cents each was a great bargain once). In general, the products are of such poor quality, they are not worth the hassle. (crowded, cluttered, sometimes dirty stores... just depends) I watch the food "bargains" too. My mother in law was very excited to find a box of dried apricots for $1. I looked at the ounces and compared to another store and the box for $1 was much more expensive... so, it looked like a bargain but really was not. Personally, I don't spend a lot of time keeping up with the prices to that degree (I just did on that item because the box looked rather small to me and I was curious) so rather than chance it... I just don't buy food items there unless I know it's a good deal.

I'd agree with others that for gift bags and small items Dollar Tree is okay. But, you still have to watch what you think is a bargain on some of these items!

I usually do better at Walgreen's in general just by watching the weekly sales circular and the monthly coupons and rebates.

I buy very few items from the dollar stores.
I'll buy paper items, nail polish and such.
But toothpaste and lotions. I won't.

I live in a rural area and we have a Dollar General. Most items there are more than a dollar but I buy paper products, cards and wrapping paper, cleaning supplies, 2 liters of soda for dh, ziplocs and snack items there. They are definitely cheaper than other stores on these items unless the other stores are just having a really super duper sale!

We have Dollar Trees in the two larger towns that are about 30 miles from me. I do shop there when I'm in those towns, but don't drive that far JUST to shop there. I like to get wrapping paper, seasonal decorating items, snack foods, picture frames, kitchen gadgets, art supplies, etc. When my kids were younger and having school parties I bought all of the party treat bag items there. They have great gift bags too. The ones in my area don't have refrigerated items though.

here we have like 3 dollar stores and if i have the money i will fill my 2 bags that i put on merrick's stroller up with whatever we need. plus they are within walking distance. lol, the first time we went to one of the 2 that are the farthest from us (2 miles) we bought to much stuff that we couldnt walk home with.

In Montreal where my sister lived the dollar store ROCKS. She bought lovely plates, shampoo, panties, cleaning products, wash cloths, cutlery, toys, a rug, hairbrushes, hair bands, magnets, paper and pens, sewing kits, holiday decor/decor, boxes, greeting cards............And she misses it terribly. Our dollar stores are lame in our new area. If you are in Montreal, stock up at the dollar stores.

We have a Mighty Dollar here and it is always worth stopping in. Dollar Tree is a close second.

I once found Lion Brand boucle yarn in a pretty variegated shade at the Dollar Tree and bought enough to crochet an afghan. If I had bought that yarn at Michael's regular price it would have been over $4 a skein. That's the best bargain I've found there, by far. I recommend avoiding the toys which are mostly made in China cr*p.

I buy a lot at the Dollar Tree. I find they have a lot of name brand items. I buy gift bags, holiday items, hair products. I buy sunglasses all the time because I constantly loose them. I have looked at other dollar stores but they don't seem to compare.

I enjoy going to the Dollar Tree too.. I just went yesterday and I got candles (2 taper and 3 small pillar), pens (two packs), workbooks for youngest DD (two word/letter books), Mothers Day card for MIL, stickers, two flag cut outs for the front window, linen spray, room spray (both hydrangea beautiful smell), and foot scrub and lotion. I spent 17.00... Pretty good I thought. I don't spend much on food, but I have found day old bread for only a dollar there (sourdough), and some sugar free stuff for my son.

I hardly ever go in. They have a few things I look for there. I might go in once every 2 or 3 months.

I enjoy the dollar stores, have to watch what you get though. I buy small kitchen tools: spoon rest, whisk, wooden spoons. I have also bought hand towels for the bathrooms (stand up really well), baggies, hair accessories for my daughter (I tug on them in the store to ensure they are going to last), key chains, gift bags, cards, note pads/memo pads, pens, pencils, glue sticks, cat toys, cat dishes, cake mixes & icing mixes, picture frames, paper, hair brushes. I have tried the shampoo and conditioner there, but it just didnt work for my hair ... it was a tangled mess!! I also get stickers for the kids, scrapbooking supplies .. the list goes on!!

We have a Dollar General. I usually buy:

Nasal Spray
greeting cards
Thank You cards(pack)
gift wrap
Molassas cookies
cleaning supplies
garden jersey gloves
socks
vinyl tableclothes(when on clearance) they make great drop clothes, and car liners in my trunk
steno books
poster board
pasta(the best price around by far)
spices(always)

I shop at the Dollar stores all the time.
I get spices there and gifts and cards etc.
I get all my salad dressing's ( ranch, italian, thousand Island at Dollar General ) Clover valley is sooooo good.
99 cent ones are dirty around here.

I like our dollar tree. I just bought sunlight dishwasher detergent 26 load power pacs.

I found pocket t shirts for DH to wear to work. I only bought 2 I thought they might not wash up all that well. He has worn them a few times now and they washed up nicely. I wish I bought more now that they are gone.

Cleaning supplies, wrapping paper, gift bags, tape, paper scissors, and inexpensive cards to send.

Cat toys and small toys for kids.
Little garden pics and flags to stick into my patio containers.

We don't normally eat junk food or convenience containers of anything. But I will shop there for little debbie coffee cakes, fruit in a cups, pudding, peanuts in the shell and that type of thing, for camping.

I also bought a pair of socks there to wear with a pair of dress pants. The joke was on me though, I did not check them out other than the color and when I got home they turned out to be knee or what my kids call boot socks. I wore them anyway.

We have 4 dollar stores in our town--unfortunately 3 of them are Dollar General stores and the other is Dollar Tree. I will go to them if I go for a specific item. But I have had to teach myself that just because it is a dollar I do not need it. I find that these stores seem to sell a lot of convenience and (pardon me) junk items. So yes and no to the question. I have bought items but try to stay away from them if possible.

I buy most of the things I need at Dollar General.It and a high priced local grocery store are the only stores here to get household things.Our Dollar General has a frozen and dairy case.I see alot of people buying food at DG because the grocery store is so high.

I usually only shop there for party supplies, helium balloons, plates, napkins. Also the dollar tree near me has some crafting paper and stickers. I usually get one or two each time I go. I pretty much have one of each now so I can scratch that off my list.

The Dollar Tree is AWESOME! I'm buying our summer craft items from DT this weekend. I buy all my cleaning items from Dollar General (paper products too).

My children prefer the Dollar Tree over anything else when it comes to shopping for cards, toys, etc.

I like Dollar Tree and Mighty Dollar. I found the conditioner I use at Mighty Dollar for $1 when it's over $2 at Wal-Mart.

Sometimes I stop in for cards, wrapping paper, stocking stuffers, Easter basket stuff, and before I go to the movies which is usually 1 time every 2 months, I get there candy for the movie, lots cheaper there.

I have stopped in at dollar stores. that's all.
I haven't bought anything though.
the stuff has been junk and I'm afraid if they are made in 'other' countries who will go nameless, that it might have some lead in it.. or be defective with no trace to the manufacturer for safety recalls.. you name it.

I have bought a few party supplies and helium balloons there. Otherwise ours just has cheap junk. :(

The 99 Cents store is good but double check expiration dates on food :lol3: I've had a few problems with that. Also some stuff isn't cheaper just because you're buying it there remember.

In my effort to save money, I am trying to see if those places are worth my drive across town

I have found these places to be nothing but junk most of the time. Even the food is not great. Have gotten stale cereal and chips. Waste of time in my book.

I have to say that I usually use the dollar store for cleaning supplies mostly and besides the drain opener liquid - everything works just as good.

You just have to be careful and know your prices because some things are a steal and other things are a rip off. Especially if you figure in sales and coupons at your every day store.

Once in awhile I remember to buy cleaning supplies there or laundry soap but other than that the only thing I buy there are jigsaw puzzles.

Jen

I rarely to never shop at the 99 cents store. Sometimes, if I'm in that area of town (which I rarely am nowadays) I go in and check if they have bullion there. I have seen those boxes of bullion cubes there 3/$1 which is a great deal! Other than that, I don't waste my money, (or my time in those long @$$ lines!)

Also they have this stain remover stuff called "Awesome" which I love. But I've had mine for over 2years now and haven't used it up yet, so I won't be needing more any time soon.

I used to buy quite a bit at the Dollar store before coupons but now I get things cheaper than a dollar

I buy gift bags and cards (2/$1) at Dollar Tree. I have found there cleaning supplies dont work as well.

I think the only thing worth buying there are those $1 pregnancy tests. I don't need those anymore, thank goodness, but they work just as well as the $10 kind.

I love dollar stores. I especially like the Dollar Tree because everything IS $1. Family Dollar and Dollar general aren't that way. I find lots of their stuff over priced but not at Dollar Tree.

I have stopped in at dollar stores. that's all.
I haven't bought anything though.
the stuff has been junk and I'm afraid if they are made in 'other' countries who will go nameless, that it might have some lead in it.. or be defective with no trace to the manufacturer for safety recalls.. you name it.


I don't buy any toys from the dollar stores and I won't buy anything in there that is made in a country other than the US. I am on the governments email list for recalls and most of the stuff that gets emailed to me now is concerning stuff that is found in dollar stores and I would say 99% of the time it is stuff from China.

I have found that if you watch the ads, you can things cheaper in other stores.

I usually go to the dollar store about 1 time a year. I just haven't found that much in there that makes it worth driving over there to get it. I suppose if it was a little closer to me, then I might consider it.

We have 2 $ Trees here. A big one in the mall and a small one locally. I find it pretty hard to walk out of there with nothing in my hands. My last find there that I was so happy about were plate hangers. I looked everywhere and couldn't find them. So I went on line and they started at $4 each. But Lo and Behold :) I found them at the $ Tree, saving a small fortune on them plus my S/H costs. If they're made cheap that's fine with me because there's really no wear and tear that a plate holder has to hold up to. I bought pasta there once and will NEVER do that again...LOL! Get it cheaper on BOGO sales anyway. I did find a pretty big jar of roasted red peppers that were really surprisingly good, and believe me, when it comes to the food I bring into this house, I'm very particular about it. But that's just me!

I think you'll find it worthwhile if it is in fact a Dollar Tree. I've been to other ones, but walked out empty handed. Ask your neighbors for their opinion maybe. I wouldn't want to waste gas either!

So have fun if you go!

Theresa :)

Our local Dollar Tree carries alot of name brand products. I've been able to get some good deals on shampoo and toothpaste. I've also been able to get my pre-teen some nice Hanes Her Way training bras....the SAME EXACT one sold in Wal Mart for $6 or $8..either way it was a great deal.

It's worth a trip to at least see what they carry. Not all dollar stores are alike..Dollar Tree tends to carry better stuff. Their gift bags, at least at our store, were awesome! I miss my Dollar Tree! :( We don't have any dollar stores here at all.

I don't go there purposely to shop. Occasionally I'll go in there if I'm in the area for greeting cards & gift wrap/bags. :)

we have a Dollar Tree store that sells the best men's socks around (name brands for only a buck? Yeeehahhhh!)..Every year I start buying up most of their men's dress socks from the beginning of October right through Christmas..I give DH a huge box of sox for Christmas, but I end up swiping some of them and so do my kids hahaha..

oh yes thats a big one i forgot... I actually bought about 10 tank tops the other day there. Im getting married and so i made each of my girls bridesmaids tank tops... i bought one for myself too and it was SOOOO comfortable. i also keep the 2nd bathroom stocked with suave shampoo, conditioner and body, face and hand soap

I have always bought things like school supplies, wrapping paper, gift bags, holiday decorations - things like that.

In the past few years, they have been bringing in alot of brand names in their HBA aisles. When I first started shopping there about six years ago, their shampoos were mostly odd-named products. Now there are so many brand names, things we really enjoy using.

I buy alot, if not all of our medicines there - nasal sprays, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, pepto-bismol - things like that. And toothpaste, mouthwash and bath soap/liquid soap.

Recently I have found the deals in their food aisles to be very good. I have gotten oatmeal cookies that the kids love, fudge cookies that my husband loves. Also some of the DTs around have wonderful frozen and refrigerated aisles.

I love the place.
Lisa

I have also found that the quality of many things at the dolliar store are not that good. I can get cheaper and better quality at my regular stores with sales and coupons. Also, I usually end up buying more than I planned at these types of stores because everything sounds so inexpensive: "Wow, this is just a buck?!" So I try to stay away from them.

I get named brand shaving cream, shampoo, razors, body wash etc there--just not china stuff and not toothpaste.

I usually go in with $30 and stock my stockpile.

The dollar tree is in the same parking lot as my bank so when I deposit I get stockpile cash. You can't oversoend your budget that way.

I like to stock up on the freezer bags and HBA stuff, cant beat 1.00 for the bath bubbles. And normally do my Christmas stocking stuffers there.

yeah, i buy candles and notebooks there. anything to save a buck. :)

I buy some food there also alot of cleaning stuff. They work very well. I also buy cards when I can't find them at thrift stores.I love my dollar tree store, I don't know how I could live without it!!

Yesterday U went in to Dollar Tree as I do every week, it's right next door to where I shop so I go there first to see what I can cross off the shopping list. Our DT does have a cold and freezer section. I got Healthy choice pizzas, log cabin pre-cooked bacon, 16 oz frozen spinach, and a treat for DH, Mrs Smith apple pie slices (2 in a pack). So I was able to cross off bacon and veggies off my grocery list. They also had 18oz oatmeal, and lots of cereal. Love the Dollar Tree!

Usually I will check the Walgreen's ads before I go to the dollar store. Walgreens may have something that is cheaper if you use their coupons from the Sunday paper. A couple of the dollar stores here will take coupons!

I like the Dollar Tree. I went there on Monday and bought 6 more of resealable, 1 qt chicken broth. That makes 10 for the pantry. It's really good. I also bought chicken bouillion, spices, cake sprinkles. Last week when I was there they had Swanson Organic Veg Broth in the same containers as the chicken broth and I bought 4. I also saw they had name brand Wheat Thins, Nabisco single packs of cookies, crackers, peanuts, --great for lunches. I also buy scrapbooking supplies, air freshners, cards. Of course they have the junk, but, take time & look around. I have found Kraft Pasta Salads, Cheez-its, Campbell's soups in the past. Enjoy...and if you're frugal and keep a journal of prices-you will know if it's a bargain or not.

We have a Dollar General Market in our town. It is the same as all other Dollar General's except it is also a grocery store. You really have to know the price elsewhere of what you intend to buy. I just came from there. I went with the intention of buying cube steak, for tonight's dinner, a 5 lb. bag of red potatoes, frozen peas, and dry soup mix. Well I passed on the peas. What cost only .79 last month is now $1. I'll buy Green Giant at WM cheaper thank you. They had no red potatoes so didn't get those. They advertised 5lbs. for $3.49 but were out. Now I did get a great deal on the cube steak. I bought one 1.48lb pack marked regular $5.92 and one1.36lb pack marked regular $5.44 with 50% off stickers on both. They are sell by 8/27/08 so still very fresh. I then went to the outdoor Farmers Market and bought 6lbs. of big red potatoes for $3.50. Not a bad trip into town. :tay:

Cat

I buy my labels at our Dollar Tree. They are $1 for 450 labels - much cheaper than Wal-Mart.

I shop at dollar general and walmart. we recently got another dg close to us.

I shop at Dollar General. I buy cleaner, toilet paper, school supplies, greeting cards . I have also bought their brand of steak sauce and everyone in my house likes it better then A1

I used to when the kids were smaller and I could put together school kits and birthday bags super cheap. But I found I actually spent more than I should have because they have so much good stuff!!

Of course there is a lot of junk, it is a $1 store. But when you pick through, you can find a lot of name brand items dirt cheap, snacks, things for the schools, etc. Crazy Glue, pet products, kitchen goodies, nails, screws, my better half used to get all his car oil there...all kinds of stuff..

We have 3 dollar store types within one mile from us..but we try and stay away and only occasionally go so we don't get too excited and stock up on glue we will never use. lol.....but my mom gets a lot of food at the Dollar Store...especially fruit and some food items which really stretch her budget. She isn't afraid of expired dates because to be honest, that doesn't usually mean anything..it is only a sell by dates for stores to keep their supplies UBER fresh, not a bad cannot eat it date..

I do shop at the Dollar store from time to time I buy air freshners cleaning supplies, hygiene supplies,toilet paper, spaghetti sauce, snacks etc. I probably should watch there prices more. Mine is across town so don't go there only if I really need something badly.

I just thought of something I always check out when I go to a $ store, the home decor/garden aisle. I have found some of the cutest things for my garden. I love their seasonal home decor. Very cheap and so cute.

Cat

I usually go to Dollar Tree and have found some good deals if I can spend time and look around. Recently I found two Dale Jr posters there for my youngest sons room (he was very excited) and I usually go there for stocking stuffers and the like. Also they normally carry my little girls favorite doll. (They cost a dollar so if something happens baby is not to expensive to replace.)

With so many animals and dh and I always cutting and scraping ourselves on wire and wood we do shop at the dollar stores. Whatever name doesnt matter but dollar tree is our best bet on alcohol, peroxide, bandaids etc. We use so muc that it is cheaper for us.