Is the Dollar Store the best deal out there or is it all a lie?
Sometimes the dollar store can end up making a true difference, especially since it advertises itself as being extremely affordable.
Despite their name, only a couple of these types of stores continue to charge only $1.
The likes of 99 Cents and Dollar Tree still have this deal, but big-name dollar stores like Family Dollar and Dollar General have gone up in price a little bit.
This does not mean that you should stop shopping there, but that you should reconsider the way you look at the dollar stores in your area.
Since their prices have also gone a little bit up, it means that for some items you are paying more than you should.
Sometimes, it happens that even when you are only paying a dollar for something, you are overpaying!
These stores have the reputation of being affordable, but when you stop to think about it, you may be paying more in the grand scheme of things than you would if you got certain items at other stores!
Stay with us to discover all the items for which you are overpaying at the dollar store!
Pain Relievers Are Pricier
Suppose you are in need of pain relievers and you are using the likes of ibuprofen or acetaminophen. In that case, you should turn your attention to places other than Dollar Tree, preferably to bigger stores like Costco or Target.
This is about how much you are paying per tablet, and then when you look at the grand scheme of things, you will be paying more than if you would get them somewhere else.
In the case of acetaminophen, you can get a pack of 40 caplets with 500 mg of active substance at about 3 cents per capsule, around $1.2 at Dollar Tree.
However, if you want to get more and have them last longer before you need to go get them again, you can find 500 caplet bottles at Target for only $7.99, or go even higher at 1,000 caplets at Costco for about $12.43.
If we look at ibuprofen, you can get a 1,000-capsule bottle at Costco for $12.43, while if you were to get the same amount of capsules at Dollar Tree, you would have to get 25 packs of 40 pills, which will get you as high as $31.25.
While the initial price of these pills seems low at the dollar store, they end up being more expensive in the long run.
Toothpaste ends up being a scam
There are a lot of best buys you can get at Dollar Tree, but when it comes to toothpaste, you should take your dime elsewhere.
Sure, the $1 price tag is a deal, and it may be a great thing when you’re in need, but when at home, you need to think in perspective and get what will last you longer and be cheaper in terms of ounces.
It may not sound like spending 34 cents per ounce at the dollar store is a lot, but when you compare it with paying around 27.6 cents at a store like Walmart for another brand of toothpaste, it can make a difference.
In the end, to get to buy three tubes of 6 ounces that are going to last you way longer for only $4.97 at Walmart, while at the dollar store, you will need to pay way more to get to the same amount of product!
Not the steal you think it is: Soap
If you’re a fan of soap bars and Irish Spring is one of the types of soap you get, then you should not rely too much on the ones that you get from the dollar store. They are not as well priced as you may think.
Indeed, in the grand scheme of things, when you buy more of them, you are going to pay less, so if you plan to stock up, you should avoid the dollar store.
You can end up getting a better deal when it comes to them at warehouse stores, where you will be able to get more bars of soap for less, and you will also be getting more products.
The Irish Spring soaps that you can find at dollar stores are 3.2 ounces, while the ones you can get from other big stores like Sam’s Club, Walmart, and even Costco are 3.7 or 4 ounces per bar.
Save the cereal for other stores
When it comes to cereal, it is a good idea to get the small 3.5-ounce bags that you can find at the Dollar Store if you want to try more flavors, if you get bored of one type of cereal, or if you are not eating them that frequently.
That way you will have some on hand, and you will be finishing it faster even if you are a slow eater, and you will not end up having to throw out stale cereal like those family-sized packs.
However, if you love one type of cereal or if you have kids around who love them as breakfast options, know that you will not be getting a deal at the dollar store.
By comparison, you will be paying more since you will have to buy more often.
Much more, if you compare the 3.5-ounce bag of Honey Nut Cheerios that is $1.25 at Dollar Tree with the $3.49 for the 15.4-ounce box you can get at Kroger, you can see where you are losing money instead of saving them.
Do yourself a favor and see what is best for you since you can get a much better deal for cereal at grocery stores.
If anything, you can also get a great deal for cereal online. This variety pack from Amazon has been amazing for us whenever we have the whole family visiting!
Rice is better bought somewhere else
White rice is a pantry staple that you should not be missing out on since you can easily make or garnish meals with it.
However, you should not get this staple at the dollar store since it is not the deal you think. You will end up paying more per pound, and if you are buying it frequently, it will end up adding up.
Not to mention, at other supermarkets, you will be able to get a bigger bag instead of the 32-ounce ones you can find at the dollar store.
If you eat rice frequently, you should rely on the pound rice bags instead of relying on the dollar stores.
Get your canned goods somewhere else
When it comes to canned foods, there are some staples that are easy to cook with, versatile, and healthy for you. Yet, there are some types that you should avoid getting from the dollar store.
You should make sure that you find another place to get canned tuna. At the dollar stores, you will be able to get StarKist Chunk Light Tuna 5-ounce cans for $1.25 per can, while in bigger stores like Walmart, you will be paying $4.34 for a four-pack of 5-ounce cans.
Given how canned tuna has a long shelf life, you should not be worried about having too many of them, and you can easily save more money this way.
Likewise, when it comes to veggie cans, you should check the prices at other stores since, in most cases, you definitely overpay for these at dollar stores.
The $1.25 can of corn you get at the dollar store is going to go for as little as 89 cents at Kroger or even less, for 50 cents at Walmart!
[Make sure you check prices before committing!
There are many other dollar store products worth your money if these products cost more than expected! If you want to know what makes people so fond of this store, check out this article: I Only Shop at Dollar Stores—Here’s Why.
