Trying to stretch a dollar in today’s economy can feel like walking a tightrope. For middle-class Americans, it often seems like going over budget — even on necessities — can send your finances into a free fall. Fortunately, a trip to your local dollar store can provide a much-needed safety net.
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By stocking up on key items at the dollar store — whether you’re a fan of Dollar Tree or Dollar General — you can save big on everyday household goods, giving your budget some breathing room. GOBankingRates filled its cart with a few dollar essentials that can help you save more on a middle-class income.
Cleaning Supplies
A clean space is a clean space, and your guests — not to mention your peace of mind — won’t care whether you got everything sparkling with brand-name cleaning supplies or dollar-store alternatives. So why not go with the generic brand?
Even if you’re loyal to a particular product, you can likely find it cheaper at the dollar store than at big-box retailers. For instance, a bottle of Fabuloso costs around $4.59 at Target, while Dollar Tree sells the same cleaner for $1.50.
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Travel-Sized Items
Even Rachel Cruze is in on the savings, encouraging her readers to shop for everyday items at the dollar store. The famously frugal finance expert said she saves big on travel by buying toiletries — like toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner — at discount retailers.
She also offered a smart travel hack: “I love buying the empty travel-sized bottles at the dollar store and filling them up with my own products from home,” she wrote. “The best part? They’re reusable, which means you’re saving even more money on future trips!”
Seasonal Decor
When the seasons change, many people feel the urge to decorate their homes for the holidays — whether it’s pumpkin-themed everything, leprechauns or Easter eggs. But all that glitter comes at a cost. Even an autumn wreath from Walmart can run more than $22.
That’s why Cruze recommended buying seasonal and holiday décor at the dollar store: “If you’re not careful, all these decorations can put a major dent in your wallet. Instead of shelling out cash to trim the tree or usher in spring, swing by the dollar store for some fun and festivity on a budget.”
Clear Plastic Bins
How many times have you lost a phone charger or your kid’s favorite toy, gone out and bought a new one, only to come home and find the original in some random spot? Probably more often than you’d like. Investing in clear plastic bins from the dollar store can help you keep track of everything that tends to disappear.
Catherine Allen, a lifestyle blogger, calls this system “categorized chaos.” In a post about dollar store organizational hacks, she wrote: “Clear plastic bins are the foundation of any good organizational system. They’re like containers for life’s categories — one for art supplies, one for hair accessories, one for the random collection of chargers that seem to multiply in every household.”
Glasses and Dishware
If you’re eating at home more these days to save money, your dishes are probably getting more use than ever. But you don’t want to spend those savings on new dishware — so consider picking up an elegant-looking set from the dollar store.
Cruze suggested that her readers buy dishes and glasses from dollar stores to stretch their budgets: “You can get beautiful glasses — not to mention bowls, plates and mugs — for less than $2 apiece,” she wrote. “You can’t beat that deal! And here’s the best part: You won’t cry a bucket of tears when a dish does break. (Because they always do.)”
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 Dollar Store Buys That Stretch a Middle-Class Budget
