Dollar Tree, Costco and More: 20 Items for Retirees To Stock Up On for Winter

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Being retired often means having to manage your money more carefully, as you may be living on a fixed income and not have the ability to increase your earnings the way you might have during your working years. At the same time, you want to be able to enjoy your golden years, rather than feeling like you’re living an overly restrictive lifestyle.

So it’s important to shop strategically. You can find great deals on both essentials and little luxuries at large retailers like Dollar Tree, Costco, Sam’s Club and Kohl’s. Here are 20 of the best items to stock up on this winter.

Quaker Oats Old Fashioned Rolled Oats

• Costco price: $8.79

Oatmeal tends to be one of the best value items to stock up on, given its versatility, nutritional profile and ability to fill you up. This pack from Costco totals 10 pounds of rolled oats, providing over 100 servings, meaning you could have a bowl for around $0.06 per ounce. Oatmeal can be particularly cozy in the winter when jazzed up with warming spices like cinnamon and other toppings like walnuts or chia seeds for extra protein.

Kirkland Signature Albacore Solid White Tuna in Water

• Costco price: $18.99

When winter weather hits, you might not be able to get to the grocery store, and oftentimes other shoppers have cleared out shelves to prep for storms. So it’s good to always have high-quality yet affordable protein sources on hand, like this eight-pack of wild-caught tuna, which has 42 grams of protein per can.

Campbell’s Condensed Chicken Noodle Soup

• Sam’s Club price: $10.98 (regularly $12.98)

What says cozy like a bowl of chicken noodle soup? This classic dish can be available at a moment’s notice by stocking up with this 12-pack of condensed soup. It’s currently $2 off the normal price through Dec. 26.

Bigelow Premium Organic Green Tea

• Sam’s Club price: $10.18

Drinking tea could potentially support longevity, and it can also help you keep warm throughout the winter. This 160-count pack of organic Bigelow green tea can also give you a little caffeine boost if gray winter skies are making you feel lethargic.

Swiss Miss Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix

• Dollar Tree price: $1.25

As the temperature dips, stay warm and cozy with this classic hot cocoa mix. This pack of six mixes means you can enjoy hot cocoa for less than a quarter per cup.

Martinelli’s Sparkling Cider

• Dollar Tree price: $1.25

If you don’t drink alcohol or just don’t want to spend too much money on drinks like champagne, you can still ring in the new year with a bubbly drink, like with this 8.4-ounce bottle of sparkling cider.

Cooking Concepts Steel Cookie Pan

• Dollar Tree price: $1.25

If you’re planning on baking cookies this winter, you might want to ditch scratched up pans and replace them with this basic yet practical option from Dollar Tree.

Tramontina Enameled Cast Iron Round Dutch Ovens

• Costco price: $79.99

While not the cheapest set, you might find that getting new Dutch oven pots encourages you to cook more at home. This set consists of a 4-quart and 6-quart cast iron Dutch oven, which you can use for cozy winter meals like stews and one-pot chicken with roasted veggies.

Large Storage Tote With Lid

• Dollar Tree price: $1.50

If you have a lot of seasonal items, like miscellaneous winter hats and gloves, or you want to keep items like ornaments neatly organized, buying this storage tote with a lid and handle could be a good idea. While they’re called “large,” they’re more like the size of a shoebox, so you could buy several to keep your closet organized.

Driver’s Choice Plastic Ice Scraper

• Dollar Tree price: $1.50

If you live in a snowy climate, stocking up on ice scrapers for your car is a good idea. This 10-inch handheld scraper is affordable enough that you can store a few in your car in case one breaks or in case you’re in a rush and you need your passenger’s help to get ice off the windshield.

Christmas Coloring and Activity Book

• Dollar Tree price: $1.50

If you have grandchildren visiting you over the holidays, you can help them have fun indoors with an affordable Christmas-themed coloring and activity book. Even if you buy several and have some left over after the season, it’s something that you can easily store for the next time you have little ones around. They might not mind a little Christmas in July, or you could hang on to them for next winter.

Eddie Bauer Women’s Cozy Pullover

• Costco price: $18.99

Get ahead of winter weather by stocking up on affordable clothing at Costco. This Eddie Bauer women’s pullover feels soft while keeping you nice and warm.

Banana Republic Women’s Button Front Cardigan

• Costco price: $15.99 (regularly $21.99)

Another good winter clothing option from Costco is this Banana Republic women’s cardigan that’s affordable yet stylish. You can use it for layering to keep cold air at bay. It’s currently $6 off its normal price of $21.99 through Dec. 19. 

Dakine Men’s Shirt Jacket

• Costco price: $14.97

This men’s flannel shirt jacket is a great option for keeping yourself warm throughout the winter. You could layer it with a sweater and another jacket for optimal warmth. It’s also versatile enough that you can leave it on if you go somewhere where the heat isn’t cranked up, but also remove it easily like a traditional jacket.

Men’s Sonoma Goods For Life Microfleece Pajama Pants

• Kohl’s price: $11.99 (regularly $19.99)

You can look festive and be comfy all winter with these microfleece pajama pants. They come in a variety of patterns, and they’re affordable enough that you can stock up on several, whether you’re looking for warmer pajamas or just want comfortable pants to lounge around inside during cold days.

 The Big One Oversized Supersoft Plush Throw Blanket

• Kohl’s price: $11.99 (regularly $14.99)

Having extra blankets on hand can be a great way to stay comfortable during the winter months, whether you are relaxing on the couch, need extra warmth in bed, or having family visit and need extra bedding. This throw blanket at Kohl’s is a simple, versatile pick, and it comes in many pattern options.

 Sonoma Goods For Life Holiday Cookies Candle Jar

• Kohl’s price: $8.39 (regularly $14.99)

Even if you’re not much of a baker, you can make your home smell festive this winter with a scented candle like this holiday cookies one, which has fragrance notes of sweet vanilla, cookie dough and buttercream.

Vicks VapoRub Cough Suppressant and Topical Analgesic

• Costco price: $13.99 (regularly $16.99)

Winter is cold and flu season, so if you’re stuck at home with a bad cough, you might at least be able to make yourself more comfortable with Vicks VapoRub. A two-pack is currently $3 off the normal $16.99 price through Dec. 21.

Member’s Mark Soft and Strong Two-Ply Premium Facial Tissues

• Sam’s Club price: $14.98

Cold and flu season can also mean you need plenty of tissues on hand. This pack of 12 boxes contains nearly 2,000 tissues total, so you’ll be well prepared for runny noses this winter.

LED Mini Flashlight

• Dollar Tree price: $1.50

If the power goes out, your car gets stuck in snowy conditions at night or you just want some extra light when walking your dog after the sun sets early during the winter, it’s good to have flashlights on hand. These mini LED ones are just $1.50 each, so you can buy several. That way, you can keep one in your car, one in your purse and a few around the house.

Editor’s note: Pricing and availability may vary depending on location.

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