6 Great Deals at the Dollar Store

Stocking up on these products at Dollar General, Dollar Tree or Family Dollar can save you money

Donna Fuscaldo and Daniel Bortz,

Updated November 21, 2025

AARP

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En español

Published March 08, 2024

/ Updated November 21, 2025

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Party supplies • Office supplies • Reading glasses • Greeting cards • Travel-sized toiletries • Cleaning supplies

Dollar stores may have gotten a bum rap in years past, but with inflation still elevated and tariffs driving up prices on many imported products, they’re attracting frugal shoppers looking to get a lot of bang for their buck.

“Throughout all the dollar stores, there are some categories that are definitely worth it,” says Trae Bodge, founder of shopping advice website TrueTrae.com. “People may not know it, but there are also ways to save even more at dollar stores.”

At Dollar Tree, Family Dollar and Dollar General — the three biggest dollar store chains in the U.S. — weekly circulars and coupons offer shoppers extra savings in-store, online and through the stores’ mobile apps.

If you’re shopping in-store, it’s a good idea to go with a list, which will help you avoid making impulse purchases on deeply discounted but unnecessary items. “Make sure you’re asking yourself: If you put it in your basket, are you getting a good deal or are you just buying it because it’s cheap,” says Destiny Chatman, consumer expert at TopCashback.com. You should also be discerning about what you choose to buy. A purchase isn’t a deal if the quality is questionable or the count is low.

It’s also important to compare prices elsewhere before shopping at a dollar store. You may think you are getting the best price, but there could be better deals at non-dollar stores. “Retailers are fighting for your foot traffic, and will sometimes drop better promotions than what we see at dollar stores,” says Joanie Demer, cofounder of The Krazy Coupon Lady, a website dedicated to finding coupons and deals.

Case in point: a 300-count package of cotton swabs at Walmart costs 98 cents, which beats Dollar General’s by two cents for a comparable product. “The bottom line? Cost-compare as much as possible,” says Demer.

When it comes to dollar stores, there are categories where the savings are usually worth it. Shopping experts put these six at the top of the list. (All prices listed are from the retailers’ websites as of November 2025.)

1. Party supplies

Whether you need balloons, decorative bags, tissue paper, wrapping paper or streamers, stocking up on party supplies that are use-it-once-and-toss-it items can be a great way to save. “There’s a whole wall of party supplies, organized by color at” dollar stores, says Chatman. Take helium balloons, for example. A 20-count pack of 9-inch uninflated latex balloons at Dollar General will set you back $1.50. At Michaels, a 20-count pack of balloons costs $3.55.

Be mindful of the count and yardage for party supplies. “If the wrapping paper roll looks really thin, it probably is,” says Bodge. “Yes, it’s $1, but you can wrap two gifts.” It’s not a deal if it doesn’t last you long, she adds.

2. Office supplies

From envelopes to notebooks, dollar stores are great places to stock up on office supplies. Sure, the paper may be thinner, but if you are using it to journal or jot down notes, it doesn’t matter, says Bodge. “You don’t want to pay a lot for things like business-size envelopes,” she says. If it’s a name-brand office supply, even better. How much can you save? A 40-count box of Mead Security envelopes cost $1.25 at Dollar Tree. At Staples, it goes for $3.15.

3. Reading glasses

This much-needed eyewear can be costly as you age, especially if you are prone to losing or breaking them. Purchasing them from a dollar store is a great way to save. Reading glasses cost $1.50 at Dollar Tree. At Walgreens, they start at $11.99.

4. Greeting cards

Loyal dollar store shoppers know that deals abound when it comes to greeting cards. Sure, the selection of seasonal, birthday or get-well-soon cards may not be as robust as at a Hallmark store, but the cards won’t set you back several dollars. “You see a lot of greeting cards at Hallmark, Target and Walmart that are at least $5,” says Chatman. “Instead of splurging on a card, hit the dollar store and use that money toward the gift.” Greeting cards at Family Dollar range from $1 to $2. At Target, greeting cards start at $3.99.

5. Travel-sized toiletries

Dollar stores have been stepping up their inventory of name-brand items, particularly for travel-sized toiletries, says Landau. Shoppers can stock up on name-brand deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste, mouthwash and other necessities without overspending. For instance, Dollar Tree sells a 2.7-ounce Crest toothpaste for $1.25. At Walmart, the same tube costs double.

6. Cleaning supplies

Sponges, dishrags, spray bottles and plungers sold at dollar stores may not last as long as higher-priced versions, but they can be a bargain if you are going to toss them frequently. Bodge recommends staying away from disinfectants and cleaning sprays unless they’re brand names, because it’s hard to know their shelf life and what ingredients they contain. The good news is that many dollar stores sell brand-name cleaning products at discounted prices. For example, at Dollar General, you can get a 19-ounce Lysol disinfectant spray for $7.20. At CVS, the same spray costs $11.29.

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Donna Fuscaldo is a contributing writer and editor focusing on personal finance and health. She has spent over two decades writing and covering news for several national publications including The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Investopedia and HerMoney.

Daniel Bortz is a personal finance editor at AARP, where he writes and edits money content for the website, from saving and budgeting to building wealth and money management skills. His work has been published by the New York Times, the Washington Post, Consumer Reports, Entrepreneur, Kiplinger, Newsweek, Money and other national publications.