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40 Things You Should Always Buy At The Dollar Store

Trista Smith July 2, 2021

People usually go to a big box store for their everyday needs. Many don’t realize they can find the same items at their local dollar store. If you have a Family Dollar, Dollar Tree, or Dollar General nearby, you can save money each month at these stores. There are a plethora of items you should always get from a dollar store.

They’re the same quality brands you love for half the price. Sometimes you will get less. You might get a two-pack instead of a six-pack since the price is different. In the end, most of the items you purchase, you’ll only use once, so why spend more? Besides, the other things you buy will only be used a few times a year. If you want more ways to save money, check out this list of the top 40 things you should always buy at the dollar store.

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40. Cheap (Yet Accurate) Pregnancy Tests

Did you know that in most areas, dollar stores stock the same type of pregnancy tests used at hospitals? The results are just as accurate as expensive pregnancy tests available at your local grocery store. They’re not only cheaper, but also work.

Regardless if you’re trying to start a family or aren’t, you can feel comfortable stocking up on these essential items for those who need them. You must follow the instructions carefully and confirm your pregnancy with an accurate blood test from your doctor.

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39. Travel-Sized Toiletries

When you travel, you’ll probably need small toiletries you’ll use on the go, like shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and mouthwash. These are usually tossed after you are back home, or they sit in the back of your bathroom cupboard until you do a deep clean.

That being said, you want to make sure you’re not spending too much on these easily-disposed items. Many dollar stores carry them, so you don’t have to feel guilty about tossing them.

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38. Enjoy A Drink

Did you know that dollar stores often offer glassware, such as pint glasses, for a low price? For only a dollar apiece, you can get your hands on pint glasses as you’d find in your favorite pub.

Even better, you don’t have to feel bad if one breaks if things get a little rowdy because it was inexpensive to purchase.

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37. Potting Supplies

Gardening or planting enthusiasts know that pots made of cotta run $10 and up at home improvement stores. But a majority of dollar stores have flower pots so you can save a lot of money.

It can be fun and straightforward to plant seeds and decorate a small flower pot with your children or yourself. Just be aware that they’re usually smaller than an average-sized flower pot!

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36. Affordable Picture Frames

You can find picture frames in department stores like Walmart for up to $10 each. You’ll quickly figure out how much it adds up if you need to purchase many of them.

While they may not be the most elegant options, dollar stores are a great place to buy basic colored frames (for example, for your wall collage) for a much lower price than other stores.

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35. Reading Glasses For a Low Price

The first thing you should do if you’re constantly losing your glasses is to get a backup pair or two. A fashion-style reader frame can be found for less than a dollar at the Dollar Tree.

These are a fantastic option for people who require a little assistance when reading the newspaper in the morning.

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34. A Plethora of Vases

You don’t need to pay top dollar for a new vase every time you get a bouquet. Instead, you can opt for these cheaper options from Dollar Tree.

They are simplistic in design, but the flowers are what most people are looking at anyway, so it doesn’t matter. Better yet, you don’t have to feel bad if you toss it when your flowers start to die.

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33. Decorate For Every Occasion At The Dollar Store

Dollar stores have an aisle stocked with holiday decorations every month, so there’s always something festive to buy. It is a cheap and fun gift for your children.

Or you can give the kids a little season’s pick-me-up to perk them up this time of year. If they are still in good condition after being done with them, you can give them away.

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32. Cotton Swabs and Q-Tips

The cotton swabs at dollar stores are a great buy that can’t be beaten! Many brands are just as effective as name-brand products at a much lower price. These types of products are prevalent in beauty routines, as well as detailed cleaning jobs.

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31. Tote Bag

Tote bags never seem to be at your fingertips when you need them. They seem to disappear as quickly as they appear. You can find cheap reusable bags made of polyester at dollar stores.

Instead of using paper or plastic, use these bags for grocery shopping, going to the gym, delivering items to friends, and packing for a child to stay the night.

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30. Affordable Dinnerware

Dollar stores usually have an excellent selection of open-stock dinnerware and dishware in their stores as well. These stoneware dishes, bowls, and mugs might not be the most premium quality, but they are perfectly good to use daily.

It’s not uncommon for little kids to break something in the kitchen weekly. Those dishes from the dollar store can be just what you need to get through that phase of life where everything seems to get broken.

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29. Socks

There are many clothing items at The Dollar Tree that are only of decent quality and do not deserve your money. In this case, I think socks would be an exception. If you buy the right kind of socks, dollar store socks can be just as good as those from department stores.

You can find a comfortable fit wearing men’s, women’s, and children’s socks made of acrylic or spandex.

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28. Plastic Buckets

Almost everyone needs plastic buckets. Who has one when they need it the most? At a dollar store, you can purchase a plastic bucket that can be used for cleaning cars, cleaning floors, holding liquids, or holding your clams, fish, or garden weeds.

If it gets gross, no problem. You can always get another one at a low price.

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27. Cleaning Supplies

Is it really a good idea to keep a plunger or toilet brush around for a long time? Taking advantage of the dollar store’s bathroom cleaning products can save you a lot of money.

You can also get multiple products for the price of one. Plungers made by reputable companies and those bought from dollar stores don’t differ in any way.

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26. Candles

Have you ever been in a power outage and didn’t have any candles as a backup? It’s always a good idea to have some tealight or larger candles around in emergencies. You can also get the candle holders from the dollar store at a fraction of the price.

Candles also have multiple uses. Even if you don’t end up using them for emergencies, you can always light one up to make your next bath feel more luxurious.

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25. Candy

Candy is found just about anywhere you go. Whatever kind you prefer, get it from the dollar store. They provide the same candies for a substantially lower price. Whenever you’rep lanning to go to the movies, make sure you buy these in bulk. You can keep them in your purse when you’re out and about.

Also, you can give them as a sweet treat to your children. You don’t have to pay more than a dollar to see them smile; use it as a reward system if you want. Either way, get a cheap bag of candy in your purse from the dollar store. If you save money on junk food by doing this, you will be much more grateful to have done it.

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24. Bandages

There are always going to be accidents, and that goes double if you have children. Having bandages on hand the time is certainly not easy to handle all those bumps and bruises. Seeing that most bandages are the same, the cost does not make much of a difference. Those bandages at the dollar store might seem cheap to you, but your cuts and wounds will not be able to tell the difference.

Bandages are temporary, so don’t waste your money. You can discard them once the wound has healed properly. The choice is yours to make. When you know that you are throwing away less money, you’ll feel better. The other significant advantage is that the ones you purchase from the dollar store are more affordable, which means you can buy them in bulk. As a result, you will be able to keep some in your car or purse for when accidents happen.

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23. Dish Towels

Any kitchen has a towel as part of its essentials. Let’s face it, dishwashers don’t always get the dishes as dry as they should be. And with so many uses, a dish towel gets dirty pretty quickly when used. Therefore, it would be helpful if you had many towels to avoid having to wash them too many times over the course of the day.

In that sense, purchasing them from the dollar store isn’t a bad idea. You can always have them at hand, so they’re always ready to use. They might not be as soft as more expensive ones, but they still get the job done. If you ruin them, there’s no reason to feel guilty. In some cases, they may stain, but that is the point of buying a cheap rag in the first place. Having them on hand as a backup will prove to be very useful to you when you happen to spill something.

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22. Index Cards

Do you have children in school? Index cards are always a valuable thing to have around the house. You can use these flashcards when your kids are preparing tests. Additionally, if you want to write down recipes from magazines or television programs, these are a great addition to your kitchen.

You can also label drawers than with index cards to make it easier to find what you need without going through every drawer. It may only cost you 50 cents for 100 flashcards, which is a lot cheaper than what you would be able to find at a stationery store. As a result of this, you can stock up and have flashcards on hand whenever you need themo. You can save up now, and never have to rush to the store in a hurry.

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21. Mailing Supplies From The Dollar Store

Are you looking for envelopes? Is your stamp stock running low? It’s not necessary to visit the post office anymore. The dollar store is a great place to go if you would rather forego the increased prices and decreased service of the US Postal Service. Despite the price increase, you can still find affordable envelopes and stamps here. You can often get 40 envelopes for a dollar.

Those who do not have the option of a more affordable way of paying their bills by mail will find this to be advantageous. Similarly, it is excellent for those who use mail for their small businesses. There’s no need to pay extra. Stamps are available in dollar stores at discounted prices as well so you can stock up.

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20. Storage Containers

There is always a need for storage containers of some kind. They’re perfect for storing tools in the garage. Craft rooms and craft supplies can be kept separated using storage containers. You can also use them to store leftovers to go in the fridge. It’s not hard to find knick-knacks in your kids’ rooms that they can out away. The possibilities for storage containers are endless.

Yet what’s the point of spending lots of money shopping at your local store for a few bottles when you can go to the dollar store and find more containers cheaper? There is a more affordable option if you require many containers. Even if you don’t get the name-brand containers, you will still be able to keep your messes and materials organized with the help of these containers.

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19. Wrapping Paper

Nothing is nicer than a gift for your birthday, Christmas, or whatever special occasion. as gifts always bring joy. Finding the right wrapping paper is probably an even bigger problem than finding an affordable roll. With so many options to choose from, it’s frustrating when the best options are expensive. So look no further than your local dollar store. They always have a great selection of wrapping paper. You can get 48 rolls for $48. At that price, you’re set for the whole year.

The great thing about getting wrapping paper so cheap is that it’s going to get thrown away anyway. Why not save on the cost? Besides, most of the wrapping paper is recyclable. And even if you don’t find the best of the best patterns and prints, oh well. The gift is what matters. Kids and adults alike will rip and tear that wrapping paper in two seconds to get to the gift.

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18. Dollar Store Seasonings

If you go to the grocery store for spices, they can sometimes cost more than $7. That’s a lot for a tiny container of herbs. However, you could get two to three times as much at a much lower price at any dollar store. Your dollar store might have the common spices you use every day. You might even get lucky and find some hard-to-find spices that your grocery store doesn’t carry.

And chances are, they’re probably the same brand names that are at your grocery store, just at a lower price. It also means fewer trips to the grocery store. At these prices, you may give up buying your spices at the grocery store. Besides, it doesn’t really matter how much you spend on the seasonings. Explore different tastes at a low price with these seasonings.

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17. Disposable Baking Pans

Speaking of seasonings, is your family getting ready for a big meal including lots of food and drinks? It’s incredibly challenging and tiring to prepare food for such events. The cleanup process is also equally tedious. The best way to serve your food conveniently is by using disposable baking pans. The metal pans are quite large in holding lots of food, and you can throw them away right afterwards.

You can also prepare your meals in them, especially when baking, which is perfect for those who love to cook. Are you planning on making a barbecued chicken or a casserole? You will be able to take care of all of these issues with a disposable baking pan. It’s true that most of them also come with lids, meaning you have the option of storing leftovers in the refrigerator. As an alternative, you can put it away with aluminum foil, which will also make it easier to put it away. Why spend more when you don’t have to?

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16. Dollar Store Medicine

Headaches, body aches, and bruises, the pain of your ailment can be treated effectively with a simple pill that has a subtle effect on your body. Everywhere you go, there is a affordable over-the-counter medication you can get your hands on right away. It is true, however, that because they are so prevalent in removing those pains, you can run out of them at a time when you need them most.

That’s why you should be considering the dollar store. It does provide you with some relief for your wallet as well as your health. It’s possible to buy two containers of Advil for a dollar so that you will always have the supply you need. When you run out of pills or don’t have any medications to deal with that headache, there’s nothing more frustrating than not being able to get it under control.

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15. White T-Shirts

A white t-shirt is an indispensable part of a summer wardrobe. In addition to the light color, that helps you stay cool when the sun is blazing. There aren’t any special care instructions if the material tends to get stained or particularly dirty. Nevertheless, the real fun is when you actually want to tie-dye shirts for the summer with your children so that you can build those kinds of memories that they can keep.

It’s no longer necessary to go to the department store to buy white t-shirts as you can get three-packs of them for around $1.00. Alternatively, you can usually cut off the bottoms of the shirts to create crop tops that help you stay even kind of cooler in a big way. You can even design custom clothes for events.

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14. Teeth Cleaning Supplies

Changing your toothbrush every three months is a good practice to keep your teeth in good condition. If you want name-brand items at a fraction of the cost of your grocery store, head to your local dollar store. They still carry name-brand items at almost a third of the cost of your grocery store. Having a large supply of toothbrushes that you can keep around your house allows you to avoid having to go to the store so frequently.

Additionally, they have toothbrushes in different types as well as toothbrushes for the children. In any case, if you are desperate to save money on your grocery bills every month, there’s no reason not to stock up on these when you can. Further, given that you’ll inevitably throw away the toothbrushes anyway, it makes sense to minimize the cost of what you’re throwing away.

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13. Greeting Cards

There’s not much reason why you should spend $5 on a greeting card that the recipiant will throw away after a few days. Although these cards may look more expensive, there’s nothing wrong with getting greeting cards from the dollar store when the cards are only around a dollar or less. While these cards may not be as fancy as others, they still communicate the same message that you think of them.

There are even options for buying greeting cards in bulk to save yourself from having to worry about remembering to do it next year. Ensure the cards are stored in a dry and dark place so they don’t fade over time. When it comes to getting greeting cards for friends and family, you will find that the dollar store tends to be a much better option. You can start a new reputation of being known as the sweet person who always gives cards away. It’s a thoughtful and cheap idea.

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12. Aluminum Foil

Aluminum foil can serve several purposes that many people are not aware of. As well as being able to cover food , you can also use it to restore the veneer edges on furniture. Aluminum foil is a great way to restore the shine to tarnished silverware lying around your home. And that’s not all you can do with this dollar store find.

If your children are stuck at home bored, have this handy tool around for them when they need a little break. No matter what you use it for, you’re more than likely to discard it after you have used it regardless of what you intend to use it for. It would be best if you could get a few rolls of foil for a low price at the dollar store because that would be the best way to stock up. For whatever project you happen to be working on at the moment, you’ll have as much as you need.

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11. Sponges

You should throw away your sponges every two to three weeks because bacteria accumulate in them. There is a danger of bacteria and mold growing in them because they are always wet. Once that happens, you’ll rub it all over your dishes and cooking utensils. Considering how much sponges cost, many people aren’t keen on throwing them away as frequently as they should.

Nevertheless, if you spend about a dollar at the dollar store, you can purchase a package of six sponges for an affordable price. By doing so, you can, in turn, reduce your chances of getting sick by changing your sponges more frequently. Considering that you can buy a sponge for as little as 13 cents, you won’t feel bad about throwing them away. Furthermore, because you’re getting more sponges at lower prices, that means fewer trips to the store to get replacements.

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10. Classroom Supplies

Budgeting for classroom supplies can often be a complex process. A variety of supplies are needed in class: glue, crayons, paper, markers, and pencils, among many others. The fact that you want your kids to have the best should not mean that you have to spend every last penny you have. Their teachers are going to be very appreciative of everything. It’s possible to opt to get your supplies from the dollar store if you don’t plan on emptying your purse.

In addition to the fact that the dollar store has everything listed above and so much more, they are also incredibly cheap, which means that you can buy as much equipment for your classroom as you need. Buying in bulk will ensure there is enough to go around for each student. For just a few dollars, you may be able to find large supplies. There are no reasons why you should not consider purchasing these items from the dollar store instead.

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9. Sandwich Bags

You need sandwich bags to keep your food fresh in the fridge. They can cost anywhere from $3 to $7 at the store. Luckily, there are even products from popular brands such as Hefty and Glad at the dollar store, so you don’t have to look far. In addition, they are for only a third of the price. You might not get as many in the package. But that will not change how you go through them and throw them out.

There are also different sizes of sandwich bags available to use for everything from sandwiches to bags of cereal. As a result, you are no longer throwing anything out because it’s gotten stale. If you want your kids to take snacks to school with them, then choose small bags to store snacks in. The uses for sandwich bags are almost endless.

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8. Balloons

There’s nothing like balloons to brighten up a party, so why not go to your dollar store to pick them up? Most local Dollar Stores have extensive selections of balloons and usually have the option to inflate them as well. No one’s going to know the difference between expensive and cheap balloons, especially if you’re getting plain-colored ones. They’re going to pop anyway, so why waste money on expensive ones?

At the dollar store, you get twice as many balloons for the same price as regular ones, too, so that means more balloons for your party, especially if you want to give them away to the kids as party favors. Save some money on balloons, birthday cards, and wrapping paper. That way, you have more to spend on the cake, toys, and more important aspects of the party.

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7. Bobby Pins

The truth of the matter is that no matter what type of hair people have, they’re bound to use bobby pins at some point in their lives. But the problem with them is that they frequently fall out, and you will have to keep buying them over and over again whenever you run out, so it isn’t very convenient. Additionally, your kids might decide to play with them and bend them into different shapes.

Don’t worry about going back to the store or to the beauty salon to get more; you can get plenty of supplies at your local dollar store. You get 72 of them for a dollar, and that’s more than enough bobby pins for a very long time! Consider adding them to your shopping list the next time you’re in a dollar store, and you’ll be thankful that you’ll have a bevy of bobby pins to use when the time is right. Go ahead and grab some extra hair ties too. Everyone knows those things go missing just as fast as bobby pins. It’s always better to have more than less for the right price.

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6. Cheap Bread

Bread is a standard grocery item that people often purchase. In your pantry, you’ll always be able to find fresh bread, whether you are making sandwiches or toast. However, you may find that it is more expensive to get bread from the grocery store because it will be marked up accordingly. At the same time, you can find much cheaper bread at the dollar store. It means that you can stock up on more bags.

It’s nice to always to have bread on hand at all times. That would mean you can make your kids more sandwiches. You can skip going to the store whenever they get hungry. Along with bread, there are other everyday grocery items you may be able to find at the dollar store too that are nicer on your budget. Go ahead and pick up some juice, peanut butter, or crackers. You can reduce your grocery bill by quite a bit.

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5. Puzzles and Board Games

Is your child bored whenever they can’t go outside? Have you thought about going to your local dollar store for some puzzles and board games? In addition to jigsaw puzzles, dollar store puzzles make great gift options for kids. Why? Because they won’t use jigsaw puzzles very often. Afterward, you can always put them up for sale during your next garage sale so someone else can use them. Not only are you being generous, but you finally get to clean out your closet. That’s a win-win.

Also, you will always get your money’s worth when you get board games from a dollar store since you will always get what you pay for. Even if you have spent a lot of money on them, your children will eventually get bored with them. You won’t feel guilty about putting them up in the closet for when their friends come over. It is also a great way to get rid of stuff at your next garage sale.

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4. Cheap Flip-Flops

Are you looking for a pair of flip-flops to wear to the pool or beach? The dollar store has a wide selection of flip-flops in all sizes In addition, it’s likely that as soon as your child grows up, they will grow out of their flip-flops in a brief period. Because they’re so cheap, you won’t feel bad about donating two of them to a friend or family member who might have use for them.

Despite how cheap a pair of flip flops might be, you can expect them to last quite a while as long as you don’t treat them too roughly. You can get several different colors for just $1, so you can get several pairs without spending too much. Obviously, you won’t find any fancy designs or colors in this pack, but they’re still quite functional for only a dollar. That goes double if you have an accident one day while you are out and about.

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3. Permanent Markers

If you’re a creative person, it would be great to use permanent markers on your labels or art projects. You should consider having these on hand for your children to use for their school projects too. They can dry out fairly quickly when they are used often. So why not go to the dollar store and purchase several packs for a low cost?

We know you can get a lot of the same name brands at the dollar store. However, this one might not apply. Are you willing to give up name-brand markers? In that case, you can get four permanent markers at a dollar store for the price of one. Then you will have more writing supplies in your drawers. Maybe you or your kiddos love to draw with markers. Always have some handy thanks to the dollar store. You can buy them in bulk and they’re just as effective as name-brand markers as well. Therefore, there’s no reason to spend more other than getting unique colors.

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2. Coffee Filters

Getting a cup of morning Joe ready is such a routine habit that you could probably do it in your sleep. However, do you have to spend more on coffee filters that do the same job? There’s no reason to go to the store and pick up a pack that costs more than 10 dollars when you can get double the number of coffee filters for only one dollar. Are they going to be perfect? No, but what filter is? They’ll keep your coffee grounds from getting into your morning coffee.

Besides, you’re going just to throw the filters out. Often, dollar store items such as coffee filters are stocked because they might have old packaging or some other aesthetic blemish. However, a small bump doesn’t affect the quality of the product! That being said, it’s better to throw out less money than sacrifice your wallet for a “better” taste. After all, if you drink coffee every day and need filters, you should stop wasting your money. That is a math problem that has a better solution: the dollar store.

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1. Brooms

When it comes to keeping your home clean, you have to have the right tools to get the task done. Vacuum cleaners are great at getting hair and crumbs out of your carpets, but it doesn’t do as good a job on bare floors. Using a broom and dustpan also reduces the amount of electricity you’re using to keep your home clean. People make a mistake when they go to their local favorite store to get a broom and dustpan for their needs.

Why? Because the dollar store has them for a dollar each when they could cost $15 at any other store. There’s no reason to spend extra money on a cleaning product you’re going to use maybe twice a week and shove into a closet. There’s no real cleaning difference between a cheap or expensive broom either, so why not save money instead? It might be a good idea to consider your local dollar store for most of your grocery needs from now on. They have everything your grocery store has but at a more affordable price. The cheaper items may not feel as “high-quality” as what you’re used to, but when you’re trying to save money, you can get used to the difference.

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