The dollar store continues to be a popular destination for bargain hunters (and cheapskates) alike, trying to score the best deal on household items. While there can be some good finds, there are also items that you should avoid as well. Because items are sold in singles at the dollar store you may think you are getting a deal but every item you throw into the cart is a dollar, so your bill at the checkout could quickly be rising. Before you go on your next shopping spree, take a look at what is good and bad at the dollar store.
The Good: Gift Accessories
You know if you’ve gone to the drug store to get a card for a wedding or birthday that by the time you get to the register you can be shocked when you see the price of $7, for a card! Especially for the fact that no one keeps a card for more than a couple days, if that, there’s no reason why you can’t spend $1 at the dollar store. Throw in gift bags, wrapping & tissue paper, or balloons, the dollar store can be a great place to get the accessories that do not add up to the cost of the gift itself.
The Bad: Electronics
If you keep in mind that you get what you pay for when going to the dollar store you won’t be disappointed, but that doesn’t mean you should buy your electronic items at the dollar store to save a few bucks. Whether they are HDMI cables or power strips, you can’t expect the quality to be top notch or even last, hopefully not starting a fire in the meantime. You can visit sites like Amazon that offer their own brand of products for a fraction or the name brand prices.
The Good: Decorations
The dollar store can be a great way to stock up on odds and ends items that you can use to decorate for a specific party, whether it is a 4th of July, Easter, or Christmas, where you can find decorations that will do the trick for the one-time party, without spending money on over the top, overpriced decorations that you will only use once. Between festive platters, items for goodie bags, and random knickknacks that will suit your party, this dollar store can be a great way to spice up your planned gettogether.
The Bad: Cleaning Supplies
Again, I’m going back to, you get what you pay for, so if you are getting laundry detergent for $1, it can’t be of the best quality, so you can expect some itching after that. In a pinch, cleaning supplies may be ok, but you have to be careful that they do not damage the surface, otherwise you will be replacing floors, tables, or counter tops at a much higher price than it would have been to spend a little extra on quality supplies. If you have allergies or sensitive skin, it’s probably best that you stay away and opt for brands you have actually heard of.