Everyone loves the Dollar Tree Store!  Where everything is a dollar…well, everything WAS a dollar.  Now it is one dollar and twenty-five cents.  Are items at the Dollar Tree still a good deal?  Not an easy answer.  Sometimes yes, sometimes no.  It all depends on what you are buying and what the prices are in your area.

This blog will give you some ideas how to make sure that what you’re buying at the Dollar Tree is a good deal, how to save even more money while shopping there AND some things to keep in mind.

1.      IS IT A GOOD DEAL?  When figuring out if something is a good deal, you need to make sure that you’ve done your homework.  Comparing prices is more than just buying an 8-ounce tube of toothpaste at the Dollar Store $1.25, when you could buy a 12-ounce tube of toothpaste at Walmart for 99 cents!  You need to compare the amount of whatever you’re buying.    Did you know that manufacturers make smaller sizes specifically to sell at the Dollar Stores?  I usually buy a 10-ounce jar of mushrooms at the dollar store.  I can buy two 5-ounce cans at Aldi’s for 59 cents apiece.  But now, with the price up to $1.25, I would buy the two cans of mushrooms at Aldi’s for a total of $1.18, instead of the $1.25 at the Dollar Store. 

2.     Some Dollar Tree Stores accept printable manufacturers coupons and newspaper manufacturers coupons (like the ones in Sunday paper).  Dollar Tree stores do reserve the right to accept, refuse, or limit the use of any coupons.  In my area, none of the Dollar Tree stores allow coupons.  You may want to call to see if they accept coupons in your area.

If your store does accept coupons, you need to know what they will and will not accept.  For instance, you may only use one manufacturer’s coupon per item.  You may use as many different newspaper coupons as you want in one transaction.  You may only use up to FOUR identical coupons in one transaction.  (Example:  You have six $1 off coupons for Palmolive Dish Detergent.  You can only purchase 4 bottles with four of those coupons.)  You may use coupons that are valued over $1.25, but you will not get paid the overage.

You may use the BOGO (buy one get one free) coupons as well.

When using coupons at the Dollar Tree, pay attention to the size restrictions on the coupon.  Sometimes they will limit a coupon to a certain size (ounces) or a certain count.  (Example:  Dishwasher Pods – may have coupon that is good on a 20 count, but at the Dollar Tree they only have a 5 count.)

3.     Get the Sunday newspaper at the Dollar Tree! (If applicable.  Not all stores sell their local Sunday newspaper.)  You are not only saving on the actual cost of the newspaper, but you are also getting the coupons to help save you even more!!

4.     Save even more money by stacking manufacturers coupons with rebate apps, turning your items into moneymakers and freebies!!!  Apps that I would recommend:

a.     Rakuten

b.     Ibotta

c.      Coupons.com

d.     Checkout51

e.     Fetch Rewards

f.       TopCashback

g.     CoinOut

5.     Best things to buy at the Dollar Tree?  Go the day after any holiday and receive 50% off candy (Easter, Valentine’s Day, Halloween).  Score!  Love my jellybeans at even bigger savings!  And speaking of holidays, Dollar Tree is a great place to get seasonal items like Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, Halloween, Spring, etc.)

6.     Other than seasonal items some awesome buys are in no particular order:

a.     Sandwich Bags -- (by doing your homework you will be able to make sure that it’s the best deal by looking at your grocery stores circulars, looking at coupons, looking at rebates).  Overall, usually a better buy at Dollar Tree, than other stores.

b.     Pregnancy Tests – At $1.25 they are much cheaper at the Dollar Tree than any other store.

c.      Books – This is one area that I always check out.  I have already gotten some New York Times best seller books for $1 (compared to $12 and up).  I found a NYBS for my dad for Christmas one year on a topic that he is really interested in, and it was only $1!!!!  He was so happy.  I personally like the cookbooks and the puzzle books.  Give me a crossword, wordsearch or sudoku puzzle to relax any day!!!

7.     Looking for a something but need more than they offer in stores?  Do not run around to all the Dollar Tree stores in your area to get the amount that you need.  Buy in bulk on their website and have them ship it to the closest Dollar Tree.  You will not have to waste gas and time running around town AND you will not have to pay shipping!  Win/Win!!  This is especially great for picture frames, dishes, candles, etc.

8.     I just recently found out about the Dollar Tree Seekers Club.  Sign up on their website and they will give you DIY projects that you can make from everything bought at the Dollar Tree.  Pretty neat and great ideas for you and the kids to do together!

This is just a start of what I do at the Dollar Tree to save money.  One good thing to remember is that the Dollar Tree has a No Refund policy.  They will exchange it, but no refunds.

What do you do to save money at the Dollar Tree?  Let us know in the comments below!

Remember, as my husband always say, Saving Money IS Making Money!