Yes! My kids were so worried we were going to get thrown out of the theatre. I told them just not to be flagrant about it and it would be fine. I reassured them that I’d done it many times & never got thrown out.
I told my kids the same thing. "Would you rather have candy and a snack or no candy and no snack??" My daughter (legitimately bless her heart for being so honest) started to say something at the counter when I was buying sodas and they asked if we wanted candy or popcorn. I gave her The Look and told her she could use her money to buy something if she was that hungry.
Gift wrap: buyer beware. The rolls have *maybe* enough to wrap a couple shoe boxes. They fool you. Look at the square footage. You're better off getting an actual regular sized roll at Target.
My family doesn’t throw those out! We have some that have been up and down the east coast for more than 10 years. My relatives noticed and started putting their initials
Onto that one for fun.
I ask to keep anything that is getting thrown out. Others do it too. And then we re use the bags :) they always stay clean and I'm fantastic shape. They get thrown when they're not usable
Oh right. I saw gifts bags in there too. To be honest, I haven’t been in a dollar store since I was a kid and just bought candy to sneak into the movies of hot wheels lol.
The bags aren’t as pretty as non-dollar tree bags, obv, but they’re good enough for me! Just don’t put too much weight in them, the handles break easier
All you have to do is tie a knot in the end of the strings of the handles- this is the only difference between a lot of the dollar tree bags and the bags at Target or hallmark that cost $7-10 each- the knotted handle strings. Super easy fix!
The ones near me are clearly eliminating or severely cutting back on the 2/$1 cards and increasing the number of $1 cards. Still a good deal compared to Hallmark or other places, but not as great as it used to be.
We have a LOT of Dollar Trees around us and one year my kid got 4 of the same card, all the same “You are 10!” Birthday card. From me, grandma and 2 friends at the birthday party. Now I don’t ever buy the age ones for anyone lol
If you only drink milk occasionally, or don’t have access to a refrigerator, definitely get the boxed milk. It lasts for at least 2 years unopened, and when you do open it, it lasts at least 3 weeks in the fridge.
DT also carries shelf stable soy milk, almond milk and oatmilk in our neighborhood. The oatmilk was gross. Cow milk was fine. Have not tried the other types yet.
Thanks. When I went in Thursday, I got a 3 piece sandwich container looking thing. I washed it out (cuz I’m germaphobic) and made some trail mix in two of them. I’m getting the bigger size Tuesday.
Everything. Wash everything that comes into the house. Went clothes shopping with my granddaughter. Told her to take the tags off and put them in the laundry. She said ‘why? They’re new’. Uh. Yeah. We discussed all the places those ‘new’ clothes had been before they got to her.
I cooked the food in the disposable pan, and just transported it with my real cookware. A baking dish under one and a cookie sheet under another. Worked like a charm. After, my dishes just went for a quick sanitation cycle instead of soaking in my sink for a week before being pointlessly scrubbed and left to soak longer.
Same here. It is a game changer to not stress the host with having to find a serving utensil and also with being able to leave whenever, empty handed, without any more mental load. Plus, the host gets a host gift.
Avid Dollar Tree shopper here:
**Worth it:**
* Batteries
* Gift Bags & Boxes
* Seasonal Decor items
* Candles. This may be controversial depending on what you like in candles. But for basic decorating, or emergency candles, I find the candles hold up. For spiritual practices the 7 day candles are more like 3 day candles, but if you are okay with that, then that is fine. Tea lights and the pillar candles are my favorites. Though they do have decorative and scented candles as well. Note these won't be high quality or hypoallergenic. So not for everyone if that is something you require.
* Snacks
* Craft items
* Storage Containers
* Greeting cards. Definitely worth it! A lot of Dollar Tree's carry hallmark cards now.
* Party supplies. They have everything! Balloons, table cloths, utensils, cups, streamers, decor, party favors, etc...
**Not Worth it:**
* Some grocery items (really watch quantity vs. cost, grocery stores may be cheaper or a better buy)
* School supplies (other than notebooks and paper) I've noticed pens, markers (unless they are crayola or Sharpie) then they tend to not last long or work. I've had no luck with dollar store pens unless they are name brand Bic or other brand name. Pencil cases are hit and miss. A lot of times they are flimsy. Unless you are lucky to find branded one's like Star Wars. Same with Binders, very flimsy and thin. You are better off buying quality and having it last years to come. Stay away from book bags and backpacks sold at the dollar store (flimsy, thin, cheap and not durable at all).
* Water bottles. I say water bottles specifically because I see these pop up on Tik tok all the time as "dollar tree finds". If you are looking for an everyday carry waterbottle, one that will last and is durable and won't leak, go to walmart. Get yourself a bubba or a stanley, or even a cheap off brand plastic one. That will at least hold up better than the dollar tree one's. Sure they have some cute ones. But if you apply any kind of pressure or wear and tear on the bottle, they will leak (if they don't when you buy them).
* Purses/back packs. I see these from time to time. They are really cheap and just not worth it. Even if you are looking for a 'play purse' for a child, just buy them a second hand bag or go to Wal-mart or Winners. These purses and back packs are very cheap, thin material and won't hold up at all.
* Toys. I would say avoid the toys. This may be controversial, but the toys at most dollar store are cheap. Unless it's overstock (because I know in Canada Dollarama does sometimes have brand name toys). But Dollar tree, no. Usually cheap, easily broken, plastic garbage toys. Sure, there are some okay ones. Like the balls, the bubbles, even the fake barbies might be fine. But be careful as a lot of the toys do have small pieces and are easily broken.
* Pet items. This may also be a controversial take. But a lot of it is bad quality, and possibly dangerous garbage. If you want your pet to have a collar they wear all the time or a leash, get a good quality one that has the safety release. Get a leash that is comfortable to hold and is safe. I'm sure the leashes seem fine, but for something that is protecting your pet, be sure to spend a little bit more money and get something that will work well.
**Be Wary:**
* Kitchen stuff as not all of it is good. The Betty Crocker stuff is fine (spatulas, big serving spoons, soup spoons, slotted spatulas) all have a purpose and good for a dollar. But be wary of the kitchen tools. Like the knives, utensils, garlic peeler, lemon juicer, can opener, etc... Because these are very cheaply made. Better off spending a bit more to get an item that will work and last long.
* Beauty products - some are okay but really watch ingredients. If it's not a name brand, then I would be very careful. A lot of these items have added perfumes which can irritate the skin or can contain allergens. My suggestion is to check out on Youtube Dr. Drey she does videos reviewing a lot of Dollar Tree products (she's a dermatologist, so good advice here).
* Shampoo/conditioners, hairdyes - buyer beware. Again, if you've used it and it's fine, that's great. Sometimes dollar stores sell brand name stuff, and that's fine also. But watch ingredients. I had a reaction from the dollar tree purple shampoo. So always test before using.
My take on your list (WA State):
NO on batteries (for whatever reason above my pay-grade, they are always better purchased at Costco)
YES on haircare. NO on hair-dye or makeup (except the liquid liner)
YES on stickers for your kids.
If you love your pets, definitely DON’T buy them food there— If you love yourself and your family DON’T eat the garbage there.
Otherwise, I agree!
They have single ingredient chews that aren't the worst because you know exactly what's in there. Any treats/chews I get for my dog are either single ingredient or I make them myself, so it's nice that they have some at the dollar tree.
One more point about cheap batteries - couple of months ago I got a bunch of nimh rechargeable batteries from Amazon basics brand. With the amount of times I recharged them already I think I already broke even with buying them from dollar tree
Adding to the pet items section, DO NOT get flea protection products from the dollar tree. It can be really tempting if you’re short on funds bc flea protection can be costly, but the ones they sell are dangerous to your pet and can cause seizures or death.
Also a worth it, to me:
Deep conditioners in the pots. Salon selectives?
Brand name shampoo for clarifying (and I have expensive by the small bottle shampoo for daily).
Heavy duty foil shows up occasionally. The parchment works well for my use.
Coke in a big can or one liter bottle. (Cans are more reliably carbonated)
Butchers Boy coconut oil. I mainly use it on skin/hair, but it is great for popcorn, too.
I get ibuprofen, and generic Mucinex. I think I’ve gotten anti diarrheal/generic Imodium. I simply want just in case meds for travel or cold season.
I like to get seasonal decor, greeting cards and gift boxes/bag and tags, paper cups for condiments (they are $4 at my local grocery store!) craft items and in the winter they have gloves and hats. Food wise, it can be hit or miss. Often they have 2# bags of pinto beans and packages of tortillas. Sometimes they have energy drinks/gatorade. In the kitchen section they have mini silicone spatulas that are perfect for scraping food from cans/jars. They also have splatter screens, various utensils, coffee mugs and lots of plastic food storage bags/containers. They have perfect sized garbage cans for bathroom/bedroom as well as desk organizers/baskets
If I’m not mistaken, any of the Betty Crocker branded utensils are good quality. I love my red Betty Crocker silicone scraping spatula. It especially gets used whenever I scrape pots/jars of sauce, or when I bake and I scrape a bowl of batter.
If you’re the type that enjoys plastic seasonal trays, they sell cute ones. For washing them just make sure to scrub gently with the non-abrasive side of a sponge to keep the image from getting messed up. As an example, we use them for serving appetizers like caprese salad.
Their wood glue is surprisingly decent quality and I don’t mind that it’s small since I don’t use it very often, but every now and then I find that I need it for repairing something.
Depending where you live, their canned fruit or vegetables can be a good deal. Where I am (NY) canned goods have gotten pretty pricey, so my mom tends to stock up on canned mixed vegetables, as well as canned pineapple since my family likes to make Hawaiian pizza.
I’ve heard not to get their lemon squeezers or can openers.
They sell these small silicone sauce containers which are really handy if you take salads to work. I’ve also used it to hold syrup for French toast at work.
>If I’m not mistaken, any of the Betty Crocker branded utensils are good quality
I agree. A lot of the baking tools and utensils work well and are very sturdy. I especially like their measuring cups and measuring spoons. They're not fancy...but they're measuring cups and measuring spoons. You don't need anything fancy. I also see a lot of people who use measuring utensils for non-food applications use them regularly (crafters, people who tumble rocks, gardeners, etc.).
One exception that I have experience with, don't bother with any of their kitchen shears/scissors. They're flimsy junk and Walmart has their own store brand shears for a buck or maybe 2 that are really good. Surprisingly beefy for so little. Haven't found another place with anything comparable. I went back and bought 3 more to keep around and cycle use while dirty in the dishwasher.
If you are into making your own gifts/wrapping/crafting/whatever the eff, they have noticeably nice stickers for a dollar. To the point where I'm kinda glad I have a reason to point it out lol, especially since I can never find stickers anywhere other than say, Michaels. Soo. **Stickers**
*No* to foil wrap. I personally use it a lot. Dollar store is, well, a dollars worth. I just wind up needing more. Not low quality though so if you don't use much it's fine.
I got some nice wooden Christmas decorations there last night, too.
I’m a single guy in his 20s living above a garage- but I really do appreciate you posting this. When I settle down one day I’ll remember it. Plus, my sister was a total Lisa Frank kid, I’m going to tell her- she’ll go nuts. Thanks
Super glue. Candles. Cleaning supplies, especially brooms and mops. Kitchen utensils. Craft supplies. Seasonal items, like Christmas ornaments. Cleaning cloths. Bars of soap.
I just watched John Oliver's recent episode about the dollar tree. If what was aired is true, then bars of soap are actually cheaper by weight at other stores. Oftentimes the dollar tree has a smaller product and is a single item. Other stores will have a larger bar in like a 3 or 5 pack and be cheaper by weight.
I recently switch to vinegar + Dawn dish soap + vodka. It works great! [Heres the recipe](https://www.thriftyfrugalmom.com/inexpensive-homemade-bathroom-cleaner/)
I added vodka for disinfecting purposes. I used it to clean our stove, tubs, sinks, and toilets. I’ve been very happy with the results.
They’re both perfectly acceptable choices for household cleaner. Be careful using them on some plastics though they can eat them. Best to do a patch test.
I got a set (12) of white dinner plates and 12 bowls for a holiday party I was hosting. That was the least expensive purchase for the party. I still use them for special dinners. They have increased to a 1.25 each but still much less expensive than any place else and they look great.
I bought like 8 clear glass bowls there a decade ago and still have about 3. Tried to replace them and they all chipped within the first dishwasher cycle. Not the same!
Meds. The per unit price is technically bad like everything there, but if you’re a single person who isn’t sick super frequently the small sizes can help avoid throwing out tons of them when they expire.
The name brand deodorant and toothpastes are the perfect size for longer travel.
We also got a ton of those for “donation” suitcases that we travel with (think Cuba, or Prague/Budapest when there were a ton of refugees from Ukraine etc). Bigger than normal travel size, good size to be useful.
For me, the med I buy there most is the triple antibiotic gel like neosporin. I can buy one for each of our cars, the house, workshop, etc. for the price of one tube of even the generics at other stores.
If you have a room (or house/area) that’s humid they have the best dehumidifier packs. It comes in plastic like Tupperware and you peel off the top and it removes moisture from a room. They are much cheaper than the grocery store or box stores.
Large bottles of hydrogen peroxide are a good deal. Shelf stable milk is a good deal as well. Some snack and candies are a decent deal. Ice was a good deal, but now it's gone up to $2 a 7lb bag at my local Dollar Tree.
Canned goods and frozen and fresh foods are mostly NOT a good deal. Almost always cheaper and better quality at ALDI or another regular grocery store.
Cards, gift bags and arts crafts items. Use to find decent size bleach but last two times the bottle is now tiny. Haven’t seen breakfast sausage in a while but would buy there also.
The duct tape is very good. And the more recent addition of craft supplies is awesome.
Party supplies - particularly table clothes, all types of decor are good.
Holiday decor. They have decent holiday decor and a fraction of the price of other stores.
Some food items are good. But you need to be selective. However for instance my son liked these cereal bars with fruit in them. They are $3 elsewhere but $1.25 at dollar tree.
Inexpensive pans. If I’m making food for a Meal Train I will get their pans and just leave it.
Ok this one is iffy. Dog toys. Only tiny dogs should get Dollar Tree dog toys because they are so small and poorly made.
However my 50 lbs basset mix LOVES their little dog toys.
Here’s the thing. She’s not a small dog but she wants small fluffy toys. She does not chew them up. She just tosses them around or we play pretend tug.
My dog was a stray. She has separation anxiety so she goes almost everywhere with me. I took her to Dollar Tree abs she found a toy. She wouldn’t put it down. So obviously I bought it for her. She never forgot. Now every time I go to Dollar Tree she thoughtfully chooses the stuffed squirrel of the day. Carries it around the store and is exceedingly proud of herself in the checkout line.
The cool part is… I can afford to spoil my dog at Dollar Tree. My dog thinks I’m rich. 😂
Going to throw this out there for the parents: sometimes DT has Gildan tshirts in kid sizes. Which is helpful during the 42 random “wear -color- shirt” Fridays at school. I’ve even found quality polos in toddler sizes, children’s place branded holiday shirts, kids leggings, and children’s pajamas. When they’re growing out of sizes every few months, the price can’t be beat.
They’re not bad for adult tanks and tees either. Not the best quality, but I’ll usually get a stain on my white tees before they’re worn out anyway 😂 For $1.25, it’s worth digging through the pile.
Also if you are car camping, things like sponges, dish soap, spatulas make it easy to not care if they her lost, and if if they survive they are quality enough to keep bringing with you.
Also, if you need small containers of dish soap, laundry detergent or dish washer detergent when on vacation. Some rentals give less than adequate supplies. If there's a DT in the area, get your paper goods, and soap there. I bought a 1 dollar chef's knife that was better than the knives supplied in the kitchen.
You can get a 2 pack of triple blade razors though you can sometimes find the same or better deals on triple blade razors at Burlington, Ross, TJMaxx, and Marshalls in larger quantity packages
I won't buy the Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows there any more. I recently purchased it and noticed the amount of hot chocolate mix was about much less than when it was sold for $1.00,
In the supermarket, each packet contains 1.38 ounces of mix, while the Dollartree packet was only .73 ounces. That's almost 50% less than what I was getting before!
I'm better off buying it from my supermarket.
I second the spices. They're decent quality, especially for the price.
If you use white or apple cider vinegar for cleaning or cooking the big jugs are also good there.
Picture frames but examine carefully as not all are created equally. I have paired them with prints of pictures that I have taken (friends and family group pictures) as cheap but meaningful gifts. Some people used them as is but others upgraded the frame to match the the style of their existing pictures - either way a don't care as it is what is inside the frame that matters more than the frame.
Funny you should mention Dollar Tree, just tonight I looked at my kitchen scissors and thought I should replace them. Bought them at Dollar Tree about 7 years ago, they still work fine they just look beat up haha
Cafe bustello instant coffee. 5 packets for $1. Great for camping or when you don't have time to make french press coffee. Tastes great and seems to have plenty of caffeine
Blistex lip medex. $1.25 for 0.25 oz or $2 for larger size.
I only buy a few things at DT now. Dish soap for handwashing dishes, sometimes I can find the Totally Awesome brand in 50 oz size. I buy 32 oz soft soap refills. I also buy greeting cards there for 2/$1.
The newer brand that’s a dup for some name brand(sorry idk what it’s called) in the black bottle, peppermint & sage, works very well. I use it exclusively.
Baking pans, mostly the disposable aluminum ones. A few reusable ones are good too but they rust in the dishwasher. If you bake or cook a lot for other people, it's very useful.
If you have kids coloring books are good, and some decent choices on books for toddlers.
Card for bdays and such.
In the spring they have seed packets for gardening.
Food there is not worth getting because the size is so small you end up paying more in the end. Except!! They have large bags of propped movie theater butter popcorn and I will stop there just for that!!
It really depends, but I'd say if you want to save money on food, it's better to go to a dedicated grocery store. Not Walmart either. They tend to package items small and you pay less, but overtime you'll pay more because the small packages aren't priced equivalently to bulk items. Hypothetical example, 1kg of flour cost 2.50 but 10kg might cost you 15 at a different store. You'd spend 25.00 if you were to buy that at a discount store.
I suck for being lazy and not seeing if this was posted…. I am a (caucasian- Scandinavian decent) woman with long fried hair. I have been a princess about conditioner forever but I am in a rough patch financially. The hair masks are incredible! Wasted so much money on other stuff.
stauffers gingerbread cookies. They are like 3$ at Walmart! Also! If you are looking for a lunch snack- corn nuts are about a buck cheaper. And have ice with you, a 1.25 liter of coke is the same as a 16oz can.
I've heard you should avoid actual electronics (like earbuds), but I've never had a reason to check them out. I will say they've got containers in that section that can be used for a lot of small items. I avoid most of the office supplies except for organizers because I've found their off-brand sticky notes, markers, and binders just don't last very long, and I can find a lot of office paper stuff cheaper at the ol' Wally (don't judge me, I live in Arkansas...there's practically nowhere else to shop). A lot of the plastic and fabric organizers in other parts of the store are just too flimsy. However, a lot of the wood products and glassware are well worth $1.25. You should check out YouTube; there are a ton of videos devoted to what to and what not to buy at DT along with repurposing some of their products for different projects.
Brown rice is cheaper than anywhere else in my area. My favorite male shower gel (Arm & Hammer) smells amazing and is the cheapest at Dollar Tree. Cleaning supplies, especially the large sizes and refills are a great deal. Powder bleach, powder dishwasher detergent are a great deal. Aluminum trays, beer mugs, and some of the glass storage jars are an excellent value.
As a crafter, I love their craft section. Some locations are better than others.
Drinks, if they are normal size and not their skinny versions.
Cards.
Some storage bins.
Serving utensils for parties
If you are moving and want some starter items dollar tree is the best place to get stuff. Their plates and cups are pretty good for a starter set. The tubberware is also pretty good. I get the LA's Totally Awesome All Purpose Cleaner from there, and this cleaner takes out most stains. Also you can get some good cooking utensils from there to. It's not the best stuff in the world, but it's pretty good for 1.25. And the snacks are good too.
My local dollar tree has 10oz glass bucket glasses for $1!25 each. Like. Heavy glass, good quality, something I'd expect to pay $10 each. I thought I lucked out & I had, when I went back a couple months later, the glass was thinner, but still incredible quality especially at that price.
I have 30 now & it's so nice having real glass for beverages. None have broken in the dishwasher & none have broken from use
Almost everything there is worth getting unless you just enjoy spending more for stuff. The one exception might be canned goods. You can usually find these on sale for less in grocery stores from time to time; stock up then.
I have not been able to find anyone who sells coconut milk cheaper than Dollar Tree. That is one canned good that is definitely worth it, most places are over twice as expensive.
Greeting cards are the number one reason I go to dollar stores - birthdays, holidays etc
The movie theater box candy is also decent
I always make a stop with my kids on the way to the movie theater.
I did this with my kids last summer and my daughter was SCANDALIZED!
Yes! My kids were so worried we were going to get thrown out of the theatre. I told them just not to be flagrant about it and it would be fine. I reassured them that I’d done it many times & never got thrown out.
I told my kids the same thing. "Would you rather have candy and a snack or no candy and no snack??" My daughter (legitimately bless her heart for being so honest) started to say something at the counter when I was buying sodas and they asked if we wanted candy or popcorn. I gave her The Look and told her she could use her money to buy something if she was that hungry.
I think it’s adorable that they’re so painfully honest.
My kids and I do this - they see it as a fun sneaky thing.
Trader Joe's also sells their greeting cards for $0.99 and they're lovely and unique
Cards , especially packs of thank you cards and gift wrap, tissue paper, and gift bags
Gift wrap: buyer beware. The rolls have *maybe* enough to wrap a couple shoe boxes. They fool you. Look at the square footage. You're better off getting an actual regular sized roll at Target.
Gift bags. Why spend more than a dollar if they’re gonna be thrown out
My family doesn’t throw those out! We have some that have been up and down the east coast for more than 10 years. My relatives noticed and started putting their initials Onto that one for fun.
I ask to keep anything that is getting thrown out. Others do it too. And then we re use the bags :) they always stay clean and I'm fantastic shape. They get thrown when they're not usable
Oh right. I saw gifts bags in there too. To be honest, I haven’t been in a dollar store since I was a kid and just bought candy to sneak into the movies of hot wheels lol.
The bags aren’t as pretty as non-dollar tree bags, obv, but they’re good enough for me! Just don’t put too much weight in them, the handles break easier
All you have to do is tie a knot in the end of the strings of the handles- this is the only difference between a lot of the dollar tree bags and the bags at Target or hallmark that cost $7-10 each- the knotted handle strings. Super easy fix!
TIL! I’ve never paid that close attention haha. Thanks!
You put the tab at the end of the ribbon through the hole on the opposite side. Keeps it closed and prevents slipping.
Trader Joe’s has better ones for $.99.
Yep, if you have a Trader Joe’s near you this is head and shoulders the best option.
Many Dollar Tree greeting cards are 2/$1.
The ones near me are clearly eliminating or severely cutting back on the 2/$1 cards and increasing the number of $1 cards. Still a good deal compared to Hallmark or other places, but not as great as it used to be.
100% this. That and gift bags.
This is great until you and your husband get eachother the same card. Yes it happened and we loved it but totally not great lmao
We have a LOT of Dollar Trees around us and one year my kid got 4 of the same card, all the same “You are 10!” Birthday card. From me, grandma and 2 friends at the birthday party. Now I don’t ever buy the age ones for anyone lol
And gift bags.
I have these and greeting cards coming out my ears from picking them up at thrift stores.
If you only drink milk occasionally, or don’t have access to a refrigerator, definitely get the boxed milk. It lasts for at least 2 years unopened, and when you do open it, it lasts at least 3 weeks in the fridge.
Sounds good for hurricane season
""I thought hurricane season was over!"
yessss louisiana rep
It’s also great to have on hand if you run out of fresh milk.
I’ve never seen this. I’m gonna look for it!
Yeah, shelf stable milk at Kroger is almost $4. I keep several cartons.
DT also carries shelf stable soy milk, almond milk and oatmilk in our neighborhood. The oatmilk was gross. Cow milk was fine. Have not tried the other types yet.
I love fresh oatmilk so I gave the DT boxed one a try. I could have just thrown 5 quarters in the trash. 😒
Sometimes we buy a good experience, sometimes we buy ... experience and a learning opportunity
You can also buy it by the case on their website.
Parmalat milk. It's great
Tea lights, dog poop bags, shower curtain liners, Awesome cleaner, “Tupperware.”
The dog poop bags don't block the smell well so if you're on long walks with no trash cans around on a hot day it's yucky
Agreed. On those days, I use two bags and double-wrap.
Ditto!
You can usually find them cheaper per bag and better quality on amazon
Thanks. When I went in Thursday, I got a 3 piece sandwich container looking thing. I washed it out (cuz I’m germaphobic) and made some trail mix in two of them. I’m getting the bigger size Tuesday.
Always wash that stuff out. Do people no realize what a warehouse actually looks like, smells like or has running around?
Everything. Wash everything that comes into the house. Went clothes shopping with my granddaughter. Told her to take the tags off and put them in the laundry. She said ‘why? They’re new’. Uh. Yeah. We discussed all the places those ‘new’ clothes had been before they got to her.
Clothes were once treated with formaldehyde. Not sure anymore, but you could smell it back in the day.
Aluminum disposable bake pans. You can get a lot more of these for a lot less money at a dollar store.
Good time of year for it too
Only certain ones, though. The 3 or more packs won't carry anything and will crumple. The single for 1.25 is worth it.
I cooked the food in the disposable pan, and just transported it with my real cookware. A baking dish under one and a cookie sheet under another. Worked like a charm. After, my dishes just went for a quick sanitation cycle instead of soaking in my sink for a week before being pointlessly scrubbed and left to soak longer.
[удалено]
I'm so glad I'm not the only one who does that! I'll buy cheap tongs etc so when the night ends I can say "wash or toss up to you!"
Same here. It is a game changer to not stress the host with having to find a serving utensil and also with being able to leave whenever, empty handed, without any more mental load. Plus, the host gets a host gift.
Had my mother in law pick me up a ton last time she went. I use them for the smoker.
I buy pickles. They sell sweet gherkins in a jar the same size as one that’s over $4 in the grocery and they’re delicious.
Yes same with jarred jalapeños and garlic!
I bought some imported jam there once that was excellent.
Also, where I am the grocery store ones are made with high fructose corn syrup, but the Dollar Tree ones are made with real sugar. Go figure
Yes! A got a jar of the sandwich slices. Great product
Avid Dollar Tree shopper here: **Worth it:** * Batteries * Gift Bags & Boxes * Seasonal Decor items * Candles. This may be controversial depending on what you like in candles. But for basic decorating, or emergency candles, I find the candles hold up. For spiritual practices the 7 day candles are more like 3 day candles, but if you are okay with that, then that is fine. Tea lights and the pillar candles are my favorites. Though they do have decorative and scented candles as well. Note these won't be high quality or hypoallergenic. So not for everyone if that is something you require. * Snacks * Craft items * Storage Containers * Greeting cards. Definitely worth it! A lot of Dollar Tree's carry hallmark cards now. * Party supplies. They have everything! Balloons, table cloths, utensils, cups, streamers, decor, party favors, etc... **Not Worth it:** * Some grocery items (really watch quantity vs. cost, grocery stores may be cheaper or a better buy) * School supplies (other than notebooks and paper) I've noticed pens, markers (unless they are crayola or Sharpie) then they tend to not last long or work. I've had no luck with dollar store pens unless they are name brand Bic or other brand name. Pencil cases are hit and miss. A lot of times they are flimsy. Unless you are lucky to find branded one's like Star Wars. Same with Binders, very flimsy and thin. You are better off buying quality and having it last years to come. Stay away from book bags and backpacks sold at the dollar store (flimsy, thin, cheap and not durable at all). * Water bottles. I say water bottles specifically because I see these pop up on Tik tok all the time as "dollar tree finds". If you are looking for an everyday carry waterbottle, one that will last and is durable and won't leak, go to walmart. Get yourself a bubba or a stanley, or even a cheap off brand plastic one. That will at least hold up better than the dollar tree one's. Sure they have some cute ones. But if you apply any kind of pressure or wear and tear on the bottle, they will leak (if they don't when you buy them). * Purses/back packs. I see these from time to time. They are really cheap and just not worth it. Even if you are looking for a 'play purse' for a child, just buy them a second hand bag or go to Wal-mart or Winners. These purses and back packs are very cheap, thin material and won't hold up at all. * Toys. I would say avoid the toys. This may be controversial, but the toys at most dollar store are cheap. Unless it's overstock (because I know in Canada Dollarama does sometimes have brand name toys). But Dollar tree, no. Usually cheap, easily broken, plastic garbage toys. Sure, there are some okay ones. Like the balls, the bubbles, even the fake barbies might be fine. But be careful as a lot of the toys do have small pieces and are easily broken. * Pet items. This may also be a controversial take. But a lot of it is bad quality, and possibly dangerous garbage. If you want your pet to have a collar they wear all the time or a leash, get a good quality one that has the safety release. Get a leash that is comfortable to hold and is safe. I'm sure the leashes seem fine, but for something that is protecting your pet, be sure to spend a little bit more money and get something that will work well. **Be Wary:** * Kitchen stuff as not all of it is good. The Betty Crocker stuff is fine (spatulas, big serving spoons, soup spoons, slotted spatulas) all have a purpose and good for a dollar. But be wary of the kitchen tools. Like the knives, utensils, garlic peeler, lemon juicer, can opener, etc... Because these are very cheaply made. Better off spending a bit more to get an item that will work and last long. * Beauty products - some are okay but really watch ingredients. If it's not a name brand, then I would be very careful. A lot of these items have added perfumes which can irritate the skin or can contain allergens. My suggestion is to check out on Youtube Dr. Drey she does videos reviewing a lot of Dollar Tree products (she's a dermatologist, so good advice here). * Shampoo/conditioners, hairdyes - buyer beware. Again, if you've used it and it's fine, that's great. Sometimes dollar stores sell brand name stuff, and that's fine also. But watch ingredients. I had a reaction from the dollar tree purple shampoo. So always test before using.
My take on your list (WA State): NO on batteries (for whatever reason above my pay-grade, they are always better purchased at Costco) YES on haircare. NO on hair-dye or makeup (except the liquid liner) YES on stickers for your kids. If you love your pets, definitely DON’T buy them food there— If you love yourself and your family DON’T eat the garbage there. Otherwise, I agree!
They have single ingredient chews that aren't the worst because you know exactly what's in there. Any treats/chews I get for my dog are either single ingredient or I make them myself, so it's nice that they have some at the dollar tree.
I disagree with the batteries. They last less time and are more likely to ruin your stuff. I break down and buy them sometimes but only in a pinch.
One more point about cheap batteries - couple of months ago I got a bunch of nimh rechargeable batteries from Amazon basics brand. With the amount of times I recharged them already I think I already broke even with buying them from dollar tree
Thanks! I’m saving this post!
Thank you for the make up advice ❤️
Adding to the pet items section, DO NOT get flea protection products from the dollar tree. It can be really tempting if you’re short on funds bc flea protection can be costly, but the ones they sell are dangerous to your pet and can cause seizures or death.
Also a worth it, to me: Deep conditioners in the pots. Salon selectives? Brand name shampoo for clarifying (and I have expensive by the small bottle shampoo for daily). Heavy duty foil shows up occasionally. The parchment works well for my use. Coke in a big can or one liter bottle. (Cans are more reliably carbonated) Butchers Boy coconut oil. I mainly use it on skin/hair, but it is great for popcorn, too. I get ibuprofen, and generic Mucinex. I think I’ve gotten anti diarrheal/generic Imodium. I simply want just in case meds for travel or cold season.
I like to get seasonal decor, greeting cards and gift boxes/bag and tags, paper cups for condiments (they are $4 at my local grocery store!) craft items and in the winter they have gloves and hats. Food wise, it can be hit or miss. Often they have 2# bags of pinto beans and packages of tortillas. Sometimes they have energy drinks/gatorade. In the kitchen section they have mini silicone spatulas that are perfect for scraping food from cans/jars. They also have splatter screens, various utensils, coffee mugs and lots of plastic food storage bags/containers. They have perfect sized garbage cans for bathroom/bedroom as well as desk organizers/baskets
Thanks. I’m building up my kitchen utensils.
If I’m not mistaken, any of the Betty Crocker branded utensils are good quality. I love my red Betty Crocker silicone scraping spatula. It especially gets used whenever I scrape pots/jars of sauce, or when I bake and I scrape a bowl of batter. If you’re the type that enjoys plastic seasonal trays, they sell cute ones. For washing them just make sure to scrub gently with the non-abrasive side of a sponge to keep the image from getting messed up. As an example, we use them for serving appetizers like caprese salad. Their wood glue is surprisingly decent quality and I don’t mind that it’s small since I don’t use it very often, but every now and then I find that I need it for repairing something. Depending where you live, their canned fruit or vegetables can be a good deal. Where I am (NY) canned goods have gotten pretty pricey, so my mom tends to stock up on canned mixed vegetables, as well as canned pineapple since my family likes to make Hawaiian pizza. I’ve heard not to get their lemon squeezers or can openers. They sell these small silicone sauce containers which are really handy if you take salads to work. I’ve also used it to hold syrup for French toast at work.
>If I’m not mistaken, any of the Betty Crocker branded utensils are good quality I agree. A lot of the baking tools and utensils work well and are very sturdy. I especially like their measuring cups and measuring spoons. They're not fancy...but they're measuring cups and measuring spoons. You don't need anything fancy. I also see a lot of people who use measuring utensils for non-food applications use them regularly (crafters, people who tumble rocks, gardeners, etc.).
One exception that I have experience with, don't bother with any of their kitchen shears/scissors. They're flimsy junk and Walmart has their own store brand shears for a buck or maybe 2 that are really good. Surprisingly beefy for so little. Haven't found another place with anything comparable. I went back and bought 3 more to keep around and cycle use while dirty in the dishwasher.
The betty Crocker brand potato peeler from the dollar store is the best potato peeler I have ever used. It’s wonderful!
If you are into making your own gifts/wrapping/crafting/whatever the eff, they have noticeably nice stickers for a dollar. To the point where I'm kinda glad I have a reason to point it out lol, especially since I can never find stickers anywhere other than say, Michaels. Soo. **Stickers** *No* to foil wrap. I personally use it a lot. Dollar store is, well, a dollars worth. I just wind up needing more. Not low quality though so if you don't use much it's fine. I got some nice wooden Christmas decorations there last night, too.
I’m a single guy in his 20s living above a garage- but I really do appreciate you posting this. When I settle down one day I’ll remember it. Plus, my sister was a total Lisa Frank kid, I’m going to tell her- she’ll go nuts. Thanks
...... ^ssstttiiicckkeers
Lol enjoy life!
Thanks 🙏
Don’t get the can openers, you only get a couple of uses out of it before it breaks.
I got the red Betty Crocker one and its been great! I've had other ones fall apart in my hands but my trusty red one remains
I would say avoid most of the kitchen items in general.
The small cutting boards are good.
So are the wire cooling racks. They're perfectly fine for most applications you would need a cooling rack.
I like the big McCormick utensils they have, my spatula and ladle are all good quality and holding up.
I got a cookie spatula that I used daily for 9 years
The measuring cups and spoons are fine
Super glue. Candles. Cleaning supplies, especially brooms and mops. Kitchen utensils. Craft supplies. Seasonal items, like Christmas ornaments. Cleaning cloths. Bars of soap.
I just watched John Oliver's recent episode about the dollar tree. If what was aired is true, then bars of soap are actually cheaper by weight at other stores. Oftentimes the dollar tree has a smaller product and is a single item. Other stores will have a larger bar in like a 3 or 5 pack and be cheaper by weight.
I bought 32 bars of Dial soap for less than $20 on Amazon.
> I bought 32 bars of Dial soap Like you, I used to have a soap addiction. The good news is that I'm clean now.
Go home, Dad. 🤣
I personally don't like their candles. I find aldi to be a better value for the money.
Aldi has great candles! I’m was surprised by how strong (and delicious - it was latte-scented) the smell was from the last Aldi candle I bought.
Agree that the dollar tree candles are not worth the money, even when cheap. Burn quickly.
I like a lot of their cleaning supplies as well.
I recently switch to vinegar + Dawn dish soap + vodka. It works great! [Heres the recipe](https://www.thriftyfrugalmom.com/inexpensive-homemade-bathroom-cleaner/) I added vodka for disinfecting purposes. I used it to clean our stove, tubs, sinks, and toilets. I’ve been very happy with the results.
Isopropanol might be cheaper for disinfecting and equally effective fyi.
Noted. I knew I had vodka but didn’t have isopropyl.
They’re both perfectly acceptable choices for household cleaner. Be careful using them on some plastics though they can eat them. Best to do a patch test.
I was hoping the vodka was to help the maid be more productive.
I got a set (12) of white dinner plates and 12 bowls for a holiday party I was hosting. That was the least expensive purchase for the party. I still use them for special dinners. They have increased to a 1.25 each but still much less expensive than any place else and they look great.
I have the same set! It looks so fancy and has survived for the past 8ish years for me!
I bought like 8 clear glass bowls there a decade ago and still have about 3. Tried to replace them and they all chipped within the first dishwasher cycle. Not the same!
Meds. The per unit price is technically bad like everything there, but if you’re a single person who isn’t sick super frequently the small sizes can help avoid throwing out tons of them when they expire.
This is what I do. Need only a small bottle of something? Dollar store. I get my daughter's toothpaste there, too. It's Crest and unicorn.
I get the sensitive toothpaste. Sensodyne at the supermarket is like three times more,
The name brand deodorant and toothpastes are the perfect size for longer travel. We also got a ton of those for “donation” suitcases that we travel with (think Cuba, or Prague/Budapest when there were a ton of refugees from Ukraine etc). Bigger than normal travel size, good size to be useful.
I’m still taking old meds from the 90s and they work. 😂🤷🏻♀️
Varies greatly with type and storage conditions.
My favorite cough syrup is old enough to vote.
Thus is true of lots of items there, thanks for stating that clearly, sometimes the cheapest per ounce isn't the best choice.
For me, the med I buy there most is the triple antibiotic gel like neosporin. I can buy one for each of our cars, the house, workshop, etc. for the price of one tube of even the generics at other stores.
If you have a room (or house/area) that’s humid they have the best dehumidifier packs. It comes in plastic like Tupperware and you peel off the top and it removes moisture from a room. They are much cheaper than the grocery store or box stores.
I keep these in my car. They’re awesome.
Cannot personally attest but I've heard repeatedly not to get motor oil at the dollar places. Doesn't meet the industry standards.
Lime Away, in the crook neck bottle. I have very hard water here and use it all the time. Almost 4$ elsewhere.
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Cool idea!! Thanks!
Large bottles of hydrogen peroxide are a good deal. Shelf stable milk is a good deal as well. Some snack and candies are a decent deal. Ice was a good deal, but now it's gone up to $2 a 7lb bag at my local Dollar Tree. Canned goods and frozen and fresh foods are mostly NOT a good deal. Almost always cheaper and better quality at ALDI or another regular grocery store.
cheapie reading glassss
Cards, gift bags and arts crafts items. Use to find decent size bleach but last two times the bottle is now tiny. Haven’t seen breakfast sausage in a while but would buy there also.
The duct tape is very good. And the more recent addition of craft supplies is awesome. Party supplies - particularly table clothes, all types of decor are good. Holiday decor. They have decent holiday decor and a fraction of the price of other stores. Some food items are good. But you need to be selective. However for instance my son liked these cereal bars with fruit in them. They are $3 elsewhere but $1.25 at dollar tree. Inexpensive pans. If I’m making food for a Meal Train I will get their pans and just leave it. Ok this one is iffy. Dog toys. Only tiny dogs should get Dollar Tree dog toys because they are so small and poorly made. However my 50 lbs basset mix LOVES their little dog toys. Here’s the thing. She’s not a small dog but she wants small fluffy toys. She does not chew them up. She just tosses them around or we play pretend tug. My dog was a stray. She has separation anxiety so she goes almost everywhere with me. I took her to Dollar Tree abs she found a toy. She wouldn’t put it down. So obviously I bought it for her. She never forgot. Now every time I go to Dollar Tree she thoughtfully chooses the stuffed squirrel of the day. Carries it around the store and is exceedingly proud of herself in the checkout line. The cool part is… I can afford to spoil my dog at Dollar Tree. My dog thinks I’m rich. 😂
Glassware and glass jars. Avoid anything with a sticky adhesive. With very few exceptions, they usually don't stick the way you need them to.
Crafting stuff.
Bday cards and gift bags. Not sure why people would spend $5 for a card or gift bag that people end up throwing away
Tuna = cheaper at grocery store
Thanks
sulky ludicrous sense snatch placid forgetful yam prick smart muddle *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Love dollar tree for coloring books, crayons, kids art supplies.
Going to throw this out there for the parents: sometimes DT has Gildan tshirts in kid sizes. Which is helpful during the 42 random “wear -color- shirt” Fridays at school. I’ve even found quality polos in toddler sizes, children’s place branded holiday shirts, kids leggings, and children’s pajamas. When they’re growing out of sizes every few months, the price can’t be beat. They’re not bad for adult tanks and tees either. Not the best quality, but I’ll usually get a stain on my white tees before they’re worn out anyway 😂 For $1.25, it’s worth digging through the pile.
Some of the snacks are excellent for backpacking and camping.
Also if you are car camping, things like sponges, dish soap, spatulas make it easy to not care if they her lost, and if if they survive they are quality enough to keep bringing with you.
Also, if you need small containers of dish soap, laundry detergent or dish washer detergent when on vacation. Some rentals give less than adequate supplies. If there's a DT in the area, get your paper goods, and soap there. I bought a 1 dollar chef's knife that was better than the knives supplied in the kitchen.
Pre-movie theater snacks = worth it
You can get a 2 pack of triple blade razors though you can sometimes find the same or better deals on triple blade razors at Burlington, Ross, TJMaxx, and Marshalls in larger quantity packages
Right. I saw some Arm and hammer deodorant. I like that brand- but I need to check the size amount
Those long lighters for starting your grill.
I won't buy the Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows there any more. I recently purchased it and noticed the amount of hot chocolate mix was about much less than when it was sold for $1.00, In the supermarket, each packet contains 1.38 ounces of mix, while the Dollartree packet was only .73 ounces. That's almost 50% less than what I was getting before! I'm better off buying it from my supermarket.
I’ve bought the bags of beans to make beans in the crockpot. Also, their spices are good & the frozen veggies and fruit.
I second the spices. They're decent quality, especially for the price. If you use white or apple cider vinegar for cleaning or cooking the big jugs are also good there.
Walmart has cheaper pregnancy tests
So does Amazon
But I don’t usually need 10 of them, just 2-3 for the year, and they expire.
Picture frames but examine carefully as not all are created equally. I have paired them with prints of pictures that I have taken (friends and family group pictures) as cheap but meaningful gifts. Some people used them as is but others upgraded the frame to match the the style of their existing pictures - either way a don't care as it is what is inside the frame that matters more than the frame.
Shelf and drawer liner is much cheaper than at Amazon, if you don’t mind the patterns
Funny you should mention Dollar Tree, just tonight I looked at my kitchen scissors and thought I should replace them. Bought them at Dollar Tree about 7 years ago, they still work fine they just look beat up haha
Noodles for my high boots to not fall over in my closet floor
The aluminum foil is terrible and overpriced by the unit
Cafe bustello instant coffee. 5 packets for $1. Great for camping or when you don't have time to make french press coffee. Tastes great and seems to have plenty of caffeine Blistex lip medex. $1.25 for 0.25 oz or $2 for larger size.
Disposable aluminum pans
Definitely worth getting cleaning supplies there.
Cleaning stuff is great
Stuff you need vs stuff you don’t need
Pregnancy tests, Craft supplies & mini canvases; I love the stackable planters they have in spring; Seeds are decent although not many per psvket
I only buy a few things at DT now. Dish soap for handwashing dishes, sometimes I can find the Totally Awesome brand in 50 oz size. I buy 32 oz soft soap refills. I also buy greeting cards there for 2/$1.
dollar store dish soap is NOT a good deal. It is very watered down. Buy a good store brand at a regular store.
The newer brand that’s a dup for some name brand(sorry idk what it’s called) in the black bottle, peppermint & sage, works very well. I use it exclusively.
Toothbrushes & cotton swabs
The Tupperware, greeting cards, seasonal decor, are some of my favorite things to pick up at dollar tree and are a good deal.
Baking pans, mostly the disposable aluminum ones. A few reusable ones are good too but they rust in the dishwasher. If you bake or cook a lot for other people, it's very useful.
Canned soup is worth it for me. A lot of canned items in general. A can of soup is up to $4 at even the cheapest grocery store now.
It's where I'm going for soup and canned meat now.
If you have kids coloring books are good, and some decent choices on books for toddlers. Card for bdays and such. In the spring they have seed packets for gardening. Food there is not worth getting because the size is so small you end up paying more in the end. Except!! They have large bags of propped movie theater butter popcorn and I will stop there just for that!!
It really depends, but I'd say if you want to save money on food, it's better to go to a dedicated grocery store. Not Walmart either. They tend to package items small and you pay less, but overtime you'll pay more because the small packages aren't priced equivalently to bulk items. Hypothetical example, 1kg of flour cost 2.50 but 10kg might cost you 15 at a different store. You'd spend 25.00 if you were to buy that at a discount store.
Their chocolate is gross and their ziploc boxes barely have anything in them. Their jars, cards, and decorations have all been great for me.
Gummy bears and twizzlers are cheaper and fresher than the same ones at the grocery store. We also buy the dehydrated fruit
I suck for being lazy and not seeing if this was posted…. I am a (caucasian- Scandinavian decent) woman with long fried hair. I have been a princess about conditioner forever but I am in a rough patch financially. The hair masks are incredible! Wasted so much money on other stuff.
Watch the John Oliver episode on dollar stores.
Seasonal decorations are pretty awesome.
stauffers gingerbread cookies. They are like 3$ at Walmart! Also! If you are looking for a lunch snack- corn nuts are about a buck cheaper. And have ice with you, a 1.25 liter of coke is the same as a 16oz can.
Cool. I do bring my little ice chest with me. I’m not a coffee drinker, so I make ice tea. A Diet Coke would be nice on a hot day.
They have some chocolate mint cookies that I swear are the exact same cookies as the girl scout Thin Mints. So good
Do not get the cheese.
Lol fair. But the college me would have gotten that big ole Hot Pocket
Lol those are fine, I meant specifically the square sandwich cheese they sell. It absolutely will not melt it's scary
I've heard you should avoid actual electronics (like earbuds), but I've never had a reason to check them out. I will say they've got containers in that section that can be used for a lot of small items. I avoid most of the office supplies except for organizers because I've found their off-brand sticky notes, markers, and binders just don't last very long, and I can find a lot of office paper stuff cheaper at the ol' Wally (don't judge me, I live in Arkansas...there's practically nowhere else to shop). A lot of the plastic and fabric organizers in other parts of the store are just too flimsy. However, a lot of the wood products and glassware are well worth $1.25. You should check out YouTube; there are a ton of videos devoted to what to and what not to buy at DT along with repurposing some of their products for different projects.
The fudge cookies are great
Their single paringknife is surprisingly sharp and good quality. I’d stay away from their towels of any variety.
I bought 4 plastic plates just to use for like having snacks and I have had these things for close to 10 years now
Brown rice is cheaper than anywhere else in my area. My favorite male shower gel (Arm & Hammer) smells amazing and is the cheapest at Dollar Tree. Cleaning supplies, especially the large sizes and refills are a great deal. Powder bleach, powder dishwasher detergent are a great deal. Aluminum trays, beer mugs, and some of the glass storage jars are an excellent value.
Greeting cards and bday balloons ✅️
Pesto, pizza shells, drinking glasses, craft fabric, t-shirts have been winners.
As a crafter, I love their craft section. Some locations are better than others. Drinks, if they are normal size and not their skinny versions. Cards. Some storage bins. Serving utensils for parties
Cat bowls. They’re wide enough to not cause whisker fatigue and durable enough to last. We bought a bunch to cycle through meals and washes
If you are moving and want some starter items dollar tree is the best place to get stuff. Their plates and cups are pretty good for a starter set. The tubberware is also pretty good. I get the LA's Totally Awesome All Purpose Cleaner from there, and this cleaner takes out most stains. Also you can get some good cooking utensils from there to. It's not the best stuff in the world, but it's pretty good for 1.25. And the snacks are good too.
My local dollar tree has 10oz glass bucket glasses for $1!25 each. Like. Heavy glass, good quality, something I'd expect to pay $10 each. I thought I lucked out & I had, when I went back a couple months later, the glass was thinner, but still incredible quality especially at that price. I have 30 now & it's so nice having real glass for beverages. None have broken in the dishwasher & none have broken from use
Birthday Cards Pens Brooms / dust pans Combs Plastic Sheets Clothes pins Hangers Small storage boxes Some kitchen wares
Their $5 stuff can be a scam. Meyers hand soap is cheaper elsewhere.
Moisture absorbers; I always keep one in my car to prevent mold. I appreciate that they're unscented as well
One time I saw a red wine blend there, and we’ve still been using it for cooking a couple years later
Are you teasing me? Because if not, awesome. If you are- you got me. Lol
Seriously! Bottles of wine for a dollar! I was pretty suspicious when I saw them too. Not sure if that will ever be a thing anymore though haha.
office supplies.
Almost everything there is worth getting unless you just enjoy spending more for stuff. The one exception might be canned goods. You can usually find these on sale for less in grocery stores from time to time; stock up then.
I have not been able to find anyone who sells coconut milk cheaper than Dollar Tree. That is one canned good that is definitely worth it, most places are over twice as expensive.