As a retiree on a fixed income, you’re probably already good at stretching a dollar. You shop for clothes at thrift stores. You cut streaming services and rent movies from the library. You take your grandkids to free community events. Yet the price of groceries remains a challenge. You’re not splurging, so why does your bill suggest otherwise?
The issue may not be what you’re buying, but where you’re buying it — at least for certain items.
While you can’t get all your groceries at Dollar Tree, you can find several staples for less than you’d pay at a traditional grocery store. GOBankingRates explored the aisles to identify cost-effective finds you’re better off buying at Dollar Tree instead of your local supermarket.
1. Cereal
Whether you eat cereal for breakfast or snack on it later in the day, you likely keep a favorite brand on hand. Dollar Tree carries a rotating selection of name-brand cereals, often in personal-size packages that help prevent waste if you like to switch things up.
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In many cases, the price per ounce can beat grocery stores. For example, a pack of Cheerios costs $1.25 at Dollar Tree, while a box at Giant costs around $4.99. Giant does offer a personal-size pack for $1, but it contains just 1.8 ounces. Dollar Tree’s version is 3.5 ounces, making it the better value — especially if you plan to split the portion.
2. Cup of Noodles
When you’re on the go — Zumba class waits for no one — but still want something warm and filling, a Cup of Noodles can hit the spot. At Giant, a single cup of chicken-flavored Cup of Noodles costs about $1.79. At Dollar Tree, you can get a three-pack of the original recipe for just $1.50.
3. Spices
Your family may not know the secret to your famous pound cake is a generous portion of cinnamon — so much that you go through it quickly. Fortunately, you can restock for less at Dollar Tree, where many spices cost about $1.25 each. At Weis Markets, a container of McCormick cinnamon sells for $2.99.
In general, generic sweet and savory spices from Dollar Tree will do the job just fine. Your food will taste the same — only your wallet will notice the difference.
4. Heat-and-Serve Rice
One perk of retirement is that you’re usually cooking for yourself. Making large batches of rice can lead to leftovers that go uneaten, which makes microwaveable rice packets a practical option.
Dollar Tree carries Eat Regal Gourmet rice in varieties such as vegetable fried rice, jasmine rice, Spanish-style rice and Mexican-style rice. Each packet costs $1.25. At Giant, a bag of Ben’s Original Ready Rice often costs closer to $2.50 per package.
5. Brownie Mix
Retirees with a sweet tooth — or those who frequently host grandkids — know the value of keeping brownie mix in the pantry. After all, who wants the hassle of cracking eggs and mixing from scratch?
At Dollar Tree, Betty Crocker fudge brownie mix and Pillsbury milk chocolate brownie mix cost just $1.25 per box. At Kroger, those same options sell for around $2.19.
6. Personal-Size Ice Cream
You have earned the right to enjoy dessert. And what’s better than a personal-size ice cream while streaming your favorite show? Dollar Tree sells personal-size ice cream cups, typically around 4 ounces, for just $1.25. Comparable single-serve ice cream products at grocery stores often cost closer to $2, depending on the brand.
7. Black Tea
If your morning isn’t complete without a strong cup of black tea, Dollar Tree’s 100-count box is worth picking up. At just $1.25, it can last for months. By comparison, a 100-count box of Lipton black tea costs as much as $6.29 at a grocery store.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 7 Groceries Retirees Should Only Get at Dollar Tree — Not the Grocery Store
