5 Things I Always Buy at the Dollar Store

The dollar store is this sort of magical place where, if you hunt through aisles of junk, you can occasionally find an absolute gem of a deal. But the key to keeping the dollar store a boon to your personal finances -- rather than a hazard -- is to learn to identify the difference between the junk and the deals.

I've been visiting my local dollar stores for forever (give or take), so I've purchased my fair share of stuff that's wound up in the garbage. I've also managed to find some go-to items that always give me great bang for my buck. Here are a few things that always wind up on my dollar store shopping list.

1. Gift bags and boxes

I am a terrible wrapper. Despite my best attempts, it always comes out uneven, wrinkled, and inevitably torn. So, I love gift bags. What I don't love? The price of gift bags. Who is paying $5 a pop for something the recipient will more than likely toss? Not me!

The dollar stores near me have a surprisingly awesome selection of gift bags. You can get fantastically festive holiday bags, glittery birthday bags, and even more tame bags for any occasion.

You aren't limited to bags, either. You can get boxes of all shapes and sizes, including small ones ideal for trinkets or gift cards. And don't forget the accoutrements, like tissue paper, ribbons, and bows -- all available at the dollar store for a fraction of the department store cost.

2. Greeting cards

In a world of digital this and e-that, there's something utterly charming about receiving a physical greeting card. What's less charming is paying $7 for a simple card (and twice that if you want something fancy). Not only does my local Dollar Tree have a great array of greeting cards for all occasions, but they even have lots of choices priced at two for $1. The envelope is even included.

Are the cards cute, sweet, and/or funny? Absolutely. Are these cards going to sing and dance? Not without a magical incantation. But does a greeting card need to do all that? It's what you write inside that the recipient will really remember.

3. Seasonal decor

Dollar stores have a remarkably good arrangement of seasonal decor items, especially if you catch them right after a transition from one holiday to another. You can find indoor decor, from tableware to tea towels, as well as exterior decor. For instance, Halloween brings out the plastic spiders, posable skeletons, and pumpkins galore. 

I particularly like hitting the dollar store for seasonal napkins and paper plates. For less than $5, I can pick up a variety of plates and napkins, adding a festive touch to my table while also cutting Thanksgiving clean-up time in half.

4. Hobby and craft materials

There are a remarkable number of hobby and craft goods you can pick up at the dollar store. Want a painting project? Pick up some craft paint and a small canvas for a buck each. Looking to try your thumb at gardening? You can find seeds, dirt, pots, and even plant markers if you're hitting the dollar store in the spring or summer.

The same is true if you like to DIY gifts. The selection of florals changes regularly, as does the various types of glassware, from votives to champagne glasses. And the selection of photo frames is surprisingly decent.

5. Cleaning supplies

I like to DIY a lot of my cleaning supplies -- you can get a lot done with some vinegar and elbow grease! -- but the dollar store is where I get a lot of the rest. Sponges and cleaning cloths? Cheap and abundant. Pads for the mop? A fraction of the price of the name brand. 

It's not all knock-off brands, though. You can get brand-name cleaning supplies at the dollar store, just in smaller amounts than you'd find on the grocery store shelves. I'd argue that these are far more usable sizes, however. Do I use a capful of bleach now and then? Of course. Does that mean I need a 64-ounce jug taking up half the space under my sink? Nope!

Shop with cash for a hard budget

Have you ever walked into the dollar store to pick up one or two necessities -- and somehow spent $30 on you-don't-even-know-what? Yep, me too!

If you have an inner bargain gremlin (I call mine Sal), then seeing a veritable smorgasbord of "deals" can be overwhelming. So overwhelming, in fact, that both my Junk Meter and my Budget Meter get all out of whack, leading me to overspend on nonsense I don't even need.

My solution? Cold hard cash, baby. 

Yes, I know, I'm usually the first one to tell you to bust out your rewards credit card for pretty much everything. But the dollar store falls into that "pretty much" bit. 

Don't take your credit cards into the dollar store if you're soft-willed around low prices (like me). Take cash instead. It makes it much easier to spend only what you set aside for the trip. Your bank account (and junk drawer) will thank you.