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Craft Ideas· Decorating· DIY· Dollar Store Projects· How To Save Money· Thrifty Finds· Thrifty Living

The BEST Dollar Tree Items You Should Be Buying

July 16, 2013 By Tanya 34 Comments

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Have you ever wondered if you are really saving money by shopping at your local Dollar Store?
I had never really checked out the entire inventory until a few years ago, and I will let you in
on a little secret…

It is the place to stop before you head to your regular discount retailer or

grocery store.  I make my local Dollar Tree my first stop every time I need to stock up on 
office supplies, gift wrap, household items, seasonal decorations, and much more.
The key is to remember how many of each item I would have purchased if I was buying an
item at Wal Mart etc…If I would typically pay $3.97 for a bundle of silk flowers for a craft 
project, then the goal is to not load 8 of them into the cart and feel great about my purchase.
Unless I really need that many, then I know I am at the right store when buying a large quantity.
Here is my must-buy list for the Dollar Store.  By adhering to a thrifty budget, shopping 
discount stores, thrift stores, making homemade meals and utilizing my local library I am 
able to stay home with my kids, home school, and have fun sharing projects and ideas 
here with you!

Back-to-school Supplies/Office Supplies: 
envelopes, heavy duty shipping envelopes, brown craft paper, Scotch tape,
paper clips, stretchable book covers, hi-lighters, Sharpie pens, 3-ring binders, acid-free
photo printing paper, scrap booking supplies, and so much more.

Party Supplies/Gift Wrap:
tons of tissue paper, gift bags, wrap, bows, shredded paper filler, greeting cards, and most
recently American Greetings cards, plastic flatware, paper and plastic tableware.  I could go 
on and on.  If you are planning any kind of event or party, from a kids birthday to a wedding,
check out how much money you can save by shopping here instead of a party store.  It’s crazy.
Household Tools/Craft Supplies:
I have purchased many small carpets to stencil and use as doormats, basic tools, tape, 
sandpaper, zip ties, hex key tools, wire, floral supplies, metal shelf brackets.  The Dollar Tree
is the first place to stop before you head to the craft supply store for sure!
Cleaning Supplies:
Spray bottles to make your own homemade cleaning supplies, ingredients for homemade
cleaning supplies like baking soda, vinegar, and peroxide.  The Dollar Tree carries many 
brand name laundry and cleaning supplies as well.  Many times we don’t want a container
that holds a gallon of Windex.  A small container fits in an apartment, small bathroom, 
cleaning bucket or camper much better.  And my favorite cleaning item to buy here is
the 2-pack of magic erase cleaning pads.  I like them better than the name brand and 
they are less than half the price, yes!!
Home Organizing:
Plastic is plastic.  Unless you need new laundry baskets, I would buy just about any other 
plastic organizer here.  Colorful bins, baskets. drawer organizers, fabric collapsible bins,
over-the-door laundry hooks, lint rollers, wire racks for organizing canned goods and 
spices. Non-slip underlay to go under your rugs too.
Kitchen/Cooking:
I am cooking for five people most of the time so I do not usually purchase a lot of food 
at the Dollar Tree, I will tell you that the whole wheat bread (my kids) is a great deal,
as well as good sized containers of spices and bags of dried beans.  Dollar Tree carries
a huge line of Betty Crocker kitchen items.  I think I have every single one.  Great storage
containers, measuring cups, you name it.  I also like to pick up the two-pack of flexible
plastic cutting mats as well.  Shelf liner, drawer liner, chip clips, disposable baking pans,
kitchen scrubbers, dish soap, dish drainers, coasters, place mats and so much more.
Health/Beauty:
We always buy large containers of hand sanitizer, and refill our small containers for car,
backpack and purses.  I buy their generic allergy relief, and it works great.  First aid supplies
like band-aids, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shaving cream, shampoo, brand name body wash
and soaps, body poufs, and I have found great hairbrushes and barrettes too.
Books:
I have been very surprised by how many quality books I have found at Dollar Tree.  Not
only great kids reading and coloring books, but quite a few fiction and non-fiction books
for myself.  One of my best finds was a wonderful Country Living Book a couple years 
ago.  Score!
Since many of the items found at Dollar Stores are wholesale remnants, you can expect 
to be pleasantly surprised by the selection, brands and quality to be found.  Here are some
of my favorite projects I have made with one or more items from my local Dollar Tree:
 DIY Summer Wreath
DIY Painted Chevron Rug
Make a Faux Wire Cloche
Banners & Bunting
I was not compensated to write this post, I just love this store and wanted to share
how much shopping there has helped my budget 🙂

{fabulous places I party}

Monday
The DIY Showoff
Craft O Maniac,
Skip To My Lou

Alderberry Hill 
The Scoop @ The Farmhouse Porch 
Mod Vintage Life

Tuesday
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia 
A Diamond In The Stuff 
Home Stories A to Z 
The DIY Dreamer 
The Winthrop Chronicles 
Today’s Creative Blog 
House On The Way
Clean And Scentsible-The Inspiration Exchange

Wednesday
Ginger Snap Crafts 
Southern Lovely 
Lil’ Luna  
Vintage Gwen
 http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/
The Blissful Bee 

Thursday
Live Laugh Linky Thursday 
The Shabby Creek Cottage  
House Of Hepworths 
52 Mantels 
Beyond The Picket Fence 
The 36th Avenue 
Stone Gable

Friday 

Inspire Me @ Liz Marie Blog
Whipperberry 
Redoux Interiors 
French Country Cottage 
Create Craft Love 
Miss Mustard Seed 
Design, Dining & Diapers 
OPC: The Humble Brag Link Party 
Jennifer Rizzo 
Tidy Mom 
504 Main
Shaken Together

Saturday
Tatertots And Jello
It’s Overflowing
Funky Junk Interiors 
I Heart Naptime 
Too Much Time 
Be Different Act Normal 
Power Of Pinterest Party 
What’s Cooking With Ruthie
Fox Hollow Cottage

Sunday

Nifty Thrifty Things 
Flamingo Toes 
Under The Table And Dreaming 
I Should Be Mopping The Floor 
Three Mango Seeds 
Uncommon Designs – Monday Funday

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Filed Under: Craft Ideas, Decorating, DIY, Dollar Store Projects, How To Save Money, Thrifty Finds, Thrifty Living

Comments

  1. Laura @ Top This Top That says

    July 16, 2013 at 8:31 am

    Thanks for the dollar store scoop. I will have to consider it more often. Usually its for something specific like candy for the movie theather nexg door. 🙂

    Reply
  2. Christine says

    July 16, 2013 at 11:33 am

    I need to visit a Dollar Tree store!! I'm curious to see if it looks like the dollar stores around here!

    Reply
  3. Sandy says

    July 16, 2013 at 1:03 pm

    I love Dollar Tree, it is by far my favorite dollar store (mainly because everything really is a dollar, unlike some of the other ones!) I need to shop each aisle more often now 🙂

    Reply
  4. Daniela @Frugal Aint Cheap says

    July 16, 2013 at 2:05 pm

    we buy those things too. DEfinitely party supplies, office and craft. Great value for the price

    Reply
  5. Heather @ Southern State of Mind says

    July 16, 2013 at 2:36 pm

    I love stocking up on toothbrushes for guests. Seems like it is definitely the thing most people forget and getting the two pack for $1 makes them disposable! Great post!

    Reply
  6. Julia Klimek says

    July 16, 2013 at 3:27 pm

    I also find all kinds of things there! I like their plain white ceramics. If they break – I'm only out a buck!

    Reply
  7. Reduce, Reuse, Renewed says

    July 16, 2013 at 4:05 pm

    Dollar stores are great for a candy run, too. Not so great for the waste line, though. I like to get cards at Dollar Tree: 2 for a buck. Awesome!

    Reply
  8. Melissa @ My Recent Favorite Books says

    July 16, 2013 at 4:11 pm

    I stopped by a local Dollar Tree yesterday, love their bargains!

    Reply
  9. Carissa Rasmussen says

    July 16, 2013 at 4:14 pm

    we love the toy isle for road trips or other chore rewards! great ideas

    Reply
  10. Kate says

    July 17, 2013 at 3:36 am

    Tanya
    Thank you for the dollar store FYI good stuff girly. You always have the best stuff around. Hope you are having a great summer

    Kate
    xoxo

    Reply
  11. Allie says

    July 17, 2013 at 8:00 pm

    I love shopping at the Dollar Tree as well. I find it kind of like a scavenger hunt to see what I can find! I have also noticed that all Dollar Trees are not created equal. Ours is quite small offering no bread or cold food while a few counties over they have monster sized Dollar Trees so just look around.
    http://www.therandomcrafter.com

    Reply
  12. Katie @ Made to be a Momma. says

    July 17, 2013 at 10:35 pm

    What a great list! Love the Dollar Tree—definitely need to start shopping there more! Would love to have you share this list at my party!http://www.madetobeamomma.com/2013/07/homemade-by-you-60.html

    Reply
  13. scrapfancy says

    July 17, 2013 at 11:16 pm

    I enjoy buying form the tree also and find a lot of savings from there. I found the great 10" foam wreath and also Styrofoam balls in a two pack for $1 awesome deal.

    Reply
  14. Shana M says

    July 19, 2013 at 1:53 am

    I LOVE the Dollar Tree! I have to keep myself in check though, it's sooo very easy to spend a pile of money in that store!! I have to remind myself I'm suppose to be saving money 🙂

    Reply
  15. Cathy Compeau says

    July 19, 2013 at 3:28 am

    I love the Dollar Tree and the dollar section at Target!
    I would love for you to share and link up at my weekly TGIF Link Party if you haven't already this week. Your favorite posts, most popular, recent or new! The party is open every Thursday night and closes Tuesday's at midnight. Followed by (Not SO) Wordless Wednesday! http://apeekintomyparadise.blogspot.com/.
    I would be

    Reply
  16. creatingabeautifullife.net says

    July 19, 2013 at 11:51 am

    Thanks for the great tips in this post. I have shopped my dollar store for many of the same items as you mention, but also learned a few more to pick up next time I'm there. I'm visiting from the 504 Main link party.

    Christy @ Creating a Beautiful Life

    Reply
  17. Mandi Noel says

    July 20, 2013 at 10:46 pm

    I love Dollar Tree!! It's my favorite for office supplies and party stuff, especially. I also buy so many books there! Many times, they are hardcovers and by bestselling authors. I've managed to buy books from series I read there sometimes as well. I love it!

    Reply
  18. For My Love Of says

    July 21, 2013 at 2:49 am

    I definitely agree with your list!

    Reply
  19. thesilberezlife says

    July 22, 2013 at 5:37 am

    I'm a huge fan of the Dollar Tree. I used so many bins from there to reorganize my pantry. Thanks for tips.

    Reply
  20. thesilberezlife says

    July 22, 2013 at 5:37 am

    I'm a huge fan of the Dollar Tree. I used so many bins from there to reorganize my pantry. Thanks for tips.

    Reply
  21. Brooke says

    July 22, 2013 at 2:04 pm

    I have to say one of the happiest moments in my life (as crazy as it sounds) was when I found out a Dollar Tree was coming to my town. We LOVE the dollar store! I don't know if you own a Swiffe, but Dollar Tree carries the disposable pads for it, such a deal! Thanks for all your great tips! Have a wonderful day, Tanya!

    Reply
  22. the cape on the corner says

    July 22, 2013 at 3:01 pm

    great tips, and i'm totally getting in on the Swiffer pads that someone mentioned.

    Reply
  23. Libby says

    July 23, 2013 at 2:25 am

    I definitely have to agree with you on these items. I was just at the $ Tree today getting ready for back to school items for my classroom, etc. Staples are staples, right? LOL

    Reply
  24. Bonnie and Trish @ Uncommon says

    July 28, 2013 at 12:09 am

    LOVE the Dollar Tree! So glad you had that two-pack of small water bottles in that picture… heading to get some for school lunchboxes this week! Thanks for sharing with us this week at Monday Funday!

    Take care,

    Trish

    Reply
  25. April says

    July 28, 2013 at 5:26 am

    Another great thing for those with babies is their diaper disposable bags (for public disposal or smelly diapers). They come in packs of 75 for $1! At Babies R Us, the same quality bags are like $5-$6 for 50 of them.

    Reply
  26. Mytripletsrock says

    August 20, 2013 at 3:51 am

    Even if I didn't have triplets I would still LOVE Dollar Tree. I get stickers, construction paper, Lightning McQueen and Spiderman sandwich savers (plastic with lid for lunchbox), holiday goodies for deco and crafts, small scented trash bags for bathroom, boxed candy for movie outings and so much more. Also great for gift bags and greeting cards. Mine also has Sunday newspapers for a

    Reply
  27. Jeanne says

    June 25, 2014 at 7:06 am

    I love my Dollar Tree(s)! When a new trend hits Pinterest I usually need to visit several locations to find what I am looking for. I make a lot of gift baskets for school functions, etc.. I stock up on their paper shred and shrink wrap bags. Everytime I go in the store I discover a new “find”.

    Reply
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Welcome to twelveOeight! I'm Tanya and I am so glad you are here. If you are ready to start loving the home you have now, then join me on my mission. One thrifty project at a time we can make our today homes our dream homes.

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