1. Cleaning Supplies
As long as you're not picky about brands, you could do well at dollar stores.
2. Greeting Cards
Multipack cards sell for $1 at a local dollar store. At a supermarket, they start at $3.25.
3. Kitchenware
If you prefer disposable kitchenware, the dollar store is a great place to get cheap plates, cups, mugs and silverware.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
4. Office Supplies
Take security envelopes: A box of 80 is $1 at the dollar store, but a box of 50 is $4.79 at a local office supply store.
5. Party Supplies
Need a helium-filled Mylar balloon? $1 will get you one at the dollar store, but they cost $4-$10 at the local grocery store.
6. Picnic Supplies
You can get a wide assortment of banners, napkins with American flags, paper plates and paper napkins, all for $1 each.
7. Reading Glasses
A pair at the dollar store costs just $1, but they go for $16 at a local grocery store and $22 at a local office supply store.
Now check out the 8 worst things to buy at dollar stores.
-
Stock Market Today: Have We Seen the Bottom for Stocks?Solid first-quarter earnings suggest fundamentals remain solid, and recent price action is encouraging too.
-
Is the GOP Secretly Planning to Raise Taxes on the Rich?Tax Reform As high-stakes tax reform talks resume on Capitol Hill, questions are swirling about what Republicans and President Trump will do.
-
Five Reasons You Shouldn't Shop on Amazon Prime DaySmart Buying Think twice before getting lured into buying a bunch of stuff you don't need just because it's on sale.
-
Best Cash Back Credit Cards of 2025Credit Cards If you're searching for a credit card that rewards you for everyday purchases, we've chosen the best.
-
How to Spend $1,000: Find Cheap (or Free) Online Courses to Build Career SkillsSmart Buying There's a huge array of skill-building online courses that can level up your career for under $1,000.
-
MoviePass is Relaunching. Should You Sign Up?Smart Buying The subscription discount movie card company has a checkered past and an army of disillusioned former cardholders. If you want to try the reboot, you’ll need to hurry.
-
HBO Max Is Offering Huge DiscountsSmart Buying Looking for a streaming service deal? Warner Bros. Discovery is cutting the price of HBO Max.
-
Are You Streaming Too Much? What the Discovery+/HBO Max Mashup MeansSmart Buying Fewer original scripted series? Maybe. And maybe it’s time to unsubscribe.
-
How Big Should My Emergency Fund Be?Feature NFL linebacker and Kiplinger contributing editor Brandon Copeland discusses the importance of building an emergency fund.
-
Homeowners Insurance: How to Protect Your HomeBrandon Copeland NFL linebacker and Kiplinger contributing editor Brandon Copeland discusses the ins and outs of homeowners insurance.
