Dollar stores may carry unfamiliar brands. With prices so low, it might be worth trying out, say, a new type of soap you’ve never heard of before. If you end up liking it, you’ll save some money versus a name brand.
Online Dollar Store often carry name-brand items in smaller packaging, so it’s possible you’ll still get a better deal spending a little more for a larger size elsewhere. “Just because it’s a cheaper price point, doesn’t mean it’s the best price available,” says Julie Ramhold, a consumer analyst with DealNews, a website dedicated to finding deals.
To determine the unit cost, divide the price by the unit of measure. If liquid laundry detergent costs $9 for 48 fluid ounces at a dollar store, for example, then the unit cost is about 19 cents per ounce. A 64-ounce bottle priced at $11 at a big-box retailer works out to a unit cost of about 17 cents, so you actually get more for your money buying the larger size.
As inflation continues to drive up prices on goods at traditional retailers, just about everything can feel like a bargain at dollar stores. The lower price points can, in turn, make it tempting to add a few extra things to your cart.
“It’s easy to go overboard and buy a lot more than you intended,” says Kimberly Palmer, a spokesperson with the personal finance website NerdWallet.
By going into the dollar store with a game plan, you’ll prevent the impulse buys that can add up and cancel out other savings.
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