15 Ways to Find the Best Dollar Store Deals

There's something enticing hitting up the local Dollar Store, including Dollar Tree, Family Dollar and Dollar General, or 5 Below. However, while the stores are famous for selling items no more than one dollar or five, anyone who has been to one of these places recently is well aware that prices have gone up. However, you can still find great deals at dollar stores if you know what and how to shop at discount stores. And they are just as popular as ever. "Dollar stores are growing in popularity because consumers are feeling the pinch of inflation and even buying generics or only shopping sales isn't enough. They are looking for alternatives," says Julie Ramhold, a consumer analyst with DealNews, tells the Washington Post. However, be forewarned: Many of the items at these stores can be found for a better price at your local drug or grocery store. Here are 15 ways to find the best deals as expenses rise, according to experts. 

Dollar store prices may seem cheaper, but you may get fewer products. Pay attention to the "per-unit cost" — the price per ounce or item in a package — experts say. "Comparing products and unit pricing takes a ton of time and effort, but it pays to do the math," Jeff Galak, an associate professor of marketing at Carnegie Mellon University's Tepper School of Business, says. A basic calculator or smartphone app can help.

You might find name brands at your local dollar store, which tend to be a bargain. Pam Maxwell, an Instagram influencer specializing in dollar stores, has found family-size boxes of Lucky Charms cereal for a fraction of what she usually pays. Goli, Tide, Dove, Vaseline, Softsoap, Colgate, Clorox, and other brands are regularly spotted at various dollar retailers.

Another expert tip? Maxwell suggests asking store clerks when they replenish the shelves to take advantage of deals that fly off the shelves. 

Experts also maintain that deal vary by neighborhood, based on location, demographics and even which retailers are nearby. Try shopping in different places to get the best deals.

Party supplies such as paper plates, cups, napkins, silverware, tablecloths, tongs, bowls, streamers and gift bags are among the best buys at dollar stores, according to experts.

Another great deal? Greeting cards. For example, Dollar Tree also sells greeting cards at two for $1.

According to Maxwell, you can find great deals on name brand makeup products. She has scored ELF, Cover Girl, Maybelline, and Hard Candy products. 

Regarding food, the experts say that pantry staples, including boxed pasta salad, mac and cheese, and peanut butter are usually on par with — or cheaper than — what you'd find at a big box retailer.

Culinary supplies and kitchen tools are other reliable buys, says Brian Theis, author of The Infinite Feast: How To Host The Ones You Love. Aluminum baking pans, colanders, whisks, spatulas, measuring cups, wooden spoons, and food storage containers are on this list. 

Theis also recommends investing in spices. "Why pay $12 for a jar of smoked paprika when you can get it for $1.25 at a dollar store? It may not have the same punch or flavor profile but gets the job done." The same goes for salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder. 

Experts say to avoid trash bags, medication, no-name batteries, and anything with an electrical plug because they may be of inferior quality or sold in smaller quantities.

Angie Sims, who blogs about crafting on a budget at Purple Craft Diva, suggests buying crafting supplies at dollar stores. "The wood craft pieces at Dollar Tree are a definite win," she says. "They are good quality and almost the same product you would find at Joann or Hobby Lobby for double the price." 

The experts also suggest bringing in your manufacturer coupons and checking the retailers' websites for digital coupons, which can be used in conjunction with manufacturer coupons.

If they have what you want, stock up. "If you see something, grab it because it may not be there when you come back," Maxwell says.