I’m a Retired Boomer: Here Are 10 Things I Always Buy from Dollar Tree To Save Money
Written by
Angela Mae
Edited by
Rebekah Evans
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Dollar Tree is many people’s go-to place for budget-friendly prices on everyday items. While you might not always find name-brand goods on the shelves, and the quantities can be on the smaller side, you might not mind when (nearly) everything is $1.25.
For retirees, especially those who live on a fixed income, Dollar Tree is also a reliable place when it comes to getting what they need while still saving money.
GOBankingRates spoke with one such retired boomer, Connie K. (born 1960) from Raleigh, North Carolina, to see what types of things she gets from Dollar Tree and how she keeps costs low.
Top Dollar Tree Buys
It’s no secret that Dollar Tree is home to a surprising array of household essentials. From cleaning products to greeting cards, it’s hard to go wrong in those aisles.
“On a fixed income, you have to be really creative and cut costs as much as possible,” Connie said. As for what to buy, here’s what she said are some of her top choices.
Mouthwash
- Dollar Tree price: $1.25 for a 16-ounce bottle of Lavoris Fresh Breah Cinnamon Mouthwash
- Target price: $5.89 for a 16.9-ounce bottle of Listerine
Toothpaste
- Dollar Tree price: $1.25 for a 5-ounce tube of Colgate
- Target price: $2.49 for an 8-ounce tube of Colgate
Deodorant
- Dollar Tree price: $1.25 for 2.15 ounces of antiperspirant Lady Power deodorant
- Target price: $6.99 for 2.6 ounces of Dove deodorant
Nail Polish Remover
- Dollar Tree price: $1.25 for 24 polish remover wraps
- Target price: $2.99 for 10 advanced nail polish remover pads
Bleach
- Dollar Tree price: $1.25 for 64 ounces of lemon-scented bleach
- Target price: $5.79 for 77 ounces of Clorox
Household Cleaners
- Dollar Tree price: $1.25 for a 16.9-ounce container of Ajax multipurpose cleaner
- Target price: $4.89 for a 16-ounce container of Mrs. Meyer’s multi-surface cleaner
Index Cards
- Dollar Tree price: $1.25 for 225 index cards
- Target price: $1.49 for 100 index cards
Mailing Envelopes
- Dollar Tree price: $1.25 for 30 legal-size press and seal envelopes
- Target price: $1.99 for 55 press and seal security envelopes
Greeting Cards
Other Items
Connie added that she also gets some canned goods at Dollar Tree. Depending on what you need, expect to spend $1.25 per 12- to 15-ounce container.
Note that canned goods may be more — or less — expensive at other stores like Target. For example, if you get the Good & Gather brand of garbanzo beans, it’ll only cost 89 cents per 15.5-ounce can. Name-brand goods at Target tend to cost more. For example, this 15.25-ounce can of Del Monte corn with peppers costs $2.29.
Reasons To Shop at Dollar Tree
The everyday low prices are already a good reason to shop at Dollar Tree and similar stores. But Connie shared a few others below.
- They often have bulk buys (and buy in bulk). As a consumer, you can sometimes save money by buying in bulk. But if the store itself does the same thing, you can also expect lower prices. “These stores buy certain items in bulk and I always look out for the things we use and I stock up,” Connie said. “Example: They always have my favorite antiperspirant or deodorant for $1.25 each, Walgreens has the exact same thing for $5.”
- The store is customer-friendly. Having a store that’s both well-stocked and conveniently organized is key, no matter who you are. “Most of the stores are well organized and stocked, and it’s much more convenient to ‘pop in’ and find the stuff we want or need, as opposed to walking through a big store like Walmart,” she said.
- The deals are great. Dollar Tree excels here, but especially when it comes to cards. “You can get a great deal on greeting cards. $1.25 for a Hallmark card that literally costs $5 at Walgreens,” she said.
- It’s all about location. Location is key, but so is variety. Dollar Tree scores points in both. “I also like the fact that there are so many of these stores relatively close to home (again, convenience), but each location always has different types of merchandise and it makes shopping there more fun,” she said.
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