Canned and boxed foods - DON'T
While the dollar pricing may seem like a bargain, you can find many of these items on sale at your grocery store for less.
Candy - DO
The movie theater style boxes especially can be a real bargain.
Kitchen knives - DON'T
Dishware - DO
It's not top-of-the line quality, but they are perfectly good to use and especially useful if you have little ones who may break things from time to time.
Shampoo and beauty products - DON'T
Opinions are mixed on the quality, but the reason they get a thumbs down from us is because you can often get a better value at other stores.
Pregnancy tests - DO
It will save you $10 or more and studies have shown they work the same as similar drug store versions.
Paper products - DON'T
You can find a better bargain elsewhere.
Washcloths and dish towels - DO
Greeting cards - DO
Don't expect textured paper or fancy extras.
Party supplies - DO
Some say you can save up to 70% by using party supplies from a dollar store. Get plastic tablecloths, paper plates and cups, streamers and favors from the dollar store and save a bundle. Don't forget to look for Mylar/foil balloons too.
Hair accessories - DO
You can find hair accessories at a fraction of the price at dollar stores. Combs and brushes can be a bargain too.
Picture frames - DO
With a little paint or other decoration, bargain frames can look as nice on your walls as their more expensive counterparts. However, quality can vary widely. Check the joints to make sure they are secure and look for stray glue that may be difficult to remove.
Electric cords and other electric devices- DON'T
Getting top-of-the-line in this category might night be a bad idead, due to potential fire hazards in this type of product.
Batteries - DON'T
In a pinch, dollar store batteries will work just fine, but don't expect them to run for a considerable length of time.
