*Note: This was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Do you have a personal finance story that you'd like to share? Sign up with the Yahoo! Contributor Network to start publishing your own finance articles.
The dollar store is a pretty savvy enterprise. It offers great deals on certain items -- deals that beat even the big box stores, in most cases -- but it rakes in a pretty healthy profit on others. That's the only way a dollar store can survive. Consequently, I pick and choose what to buy at the dollar store and I try never to stray from my "approved" list.
Cleaning Supplies
I like both the selection and the price of the cleaning products at my local dollar store. Sponges, scrub brushes, window cleaner, dish soap, and other items are available in a range of generic products that cost much less than their brand-name alternatives. After comparing the price per ounce of dish detergent, for example, I can save seventy cents over the same product at Wal-Mart.
Food
Some of the dollar stores have a grocery section, and some even have freezer sections. After perusing the aisles, however, I learned that most edible products are actually more expensive at the dollar store. They are simply packaged in smaller quantities, giving the illusion of savings.
Holiday Supplies
Greeting cards, in particular, are much less expensive at the dollar store than at Hallmark or the supermarket. Our dollar store sells both packages of greetings cards (20 for $1.00) or single cards for special occasions (two for $1.00). The last time I bought a card at Target I paid $3.36, so this is a huge savings.
Storage Items
Plastic and metal storage items are usually more expensive at the dollar store than at big box stores, primarily because of quantity. If we've run out of Tupperware, for example, I usually buy a set of 20 at Wal-Mart for less than $15. If I were to buy all those items singly at the dollar store, I'd pay about $5 more.
School/Office Supplies
My family goes through pens and notebooks, in particular, like they are going out of style. To replenish either supply, I always rely on the dollar store. I can get four spiral notebooks for $1.00, whereas they might cost 79 cents each at a big box store. Of course, I can't find specialty items there, but I save where I can.
Health Supplies
Any time I have looked at the dollar store aisles containing medication, adhesive bandages, vitamins, and other health-related supplies, I've been disappointed. This area of the store uses the same tactics as the grocery aisle: Items look cheap, but are packaged in small quantities. On a per-unit basis, I spend much less money with the big box stores' generic brands.
The dollar store is not evil. They have to make a profit, so I expect some items to cost more than they would at other establishments. I save money by keeping up with changes in prices and buying accordingly.
2 comments