Dollar Store Deals and Duds

Related Stores

Dollar General

Target

Walmart

Dollar stores have gone gangbusters as consumers search for what seems to be an ever-shrinking pool of true deals. The trend is so popular "Dollar General" plans on adding 600 stores across the U.S. this year, making them a true contender for big-box stores like Walmart and Target.

These nearly ubiquitous stores offer just about everything except milk. In their narrow aisles you'll find breakfast cereals, holiday ornaments, kitchen supplies, greeting cards, socks and basically everything else on your shopping list, making them an excellent one-stop shop. Plus, you can't beat those 99-cent prices found throughout the stores.

While "Dollar General" leads the pack, there are plenty of other smaller chains spread across the country that are finding new-found fans.

Read on for a list of true dollar-store deals and a few of their duds.

BASIC FOOD ITEMS -- DEAL
Cheerios cereal - 9- to 14-ounce box
Dollar General: $2.85
Walmart: $3.50

Hamburger Helper
Dollar General: $1.50 per box
Walmart: $2.23 per box

BEAUTY/TOILETRIES - DEAL
You'll find a decent selection of toiletries for more than 50-percent less than Walmart and drug stores

White Rain Shampoo or Conditioner
Dollar store: $1
Walmart: $2.27

Cotton Tips 500 count
Dollar store: $1
Walmart: $2.97

KITCHEN ESSENTIALS - DEAL
Save from 50 percent to 90 percent off the prices at Target and Walmart. Almost anything is a good buy, with the exception of knives, which may be flimsy or dull

Oven Mitt
Dollar Store: $1
Walmart: $3

Food Storage/Plastic Tupperware
Dollar store: $1 for three
Walmart: $2.26 for three

CLEANING SUPPLIES - DEAL
According to Good Housekeeping Institute, the cleaning supplies you buy at the dollar store work just fine, but may be somewhat diluted.

Window Cleaner
Dollar store: $1 (generic product)
Walmart: $2.97 (for Windex)

Tide Liquid Laundry Detergent - 75-oz. size
Dollar General: $10.50
Walmart: $12.97

PARTY SUPPLIES - DEAL
Everything from invitations to paper plates to streamers are a great deal. Some stores even offer helium-inflated mylar balloons.

Foil Balloons
Dollar Store: $1 a pop
Party Supply Store:  $3 to $8 each

Luncheon Napkins - 24 pack
Dollar Store: $1
Walmart: $1.89

PREGNANCY TESTS - DEAL
Children cost plenty from cradle to college. You shouldn't have to start off shelling out big money for such a simple item. Even the least expensive pregnancy test is still 99-percent effective, and that's what you really care about.
Dollar Store: $1
Walgreens: $8

HOLIDAY DECORATIONS - DEAL
Seasonal items, like Easter baskets and Christmas ornaments are appreciably cheaper and often available for $1 each. However, the quality on some items may not be as good and there's usually less of a selection.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES - DUD
One dollar often isn't a deal for the smaller items. To save the most, shop Walmart and Target during back-to-school sales.

BATTERIES & ELECTRONICS - DUD
Consumer Reports warns dollar store electronics and extension cords may have fake UL labels and could be unsafe. In addition, cheap batteries may be prone to leakage or be less efficient

VITAMINS - DUD
Consumer Reports found dollar-store multivitamins don't always have the nutrients claimed on the labels. Others don't absorb into the body properly as they don't dissolve fast enough. Likewise you'll want to avoid aspirin and other over-the-counter medications that may have already reached their expiration dates.

Other Dollar General perks include coupons posted on their website for anywhere from $5 off $20.