Great grocery deals from the dollar store
Filed under: Food
Saving money on groceries is high on everyone's list. Places like the 99-cent Only Stores make it easy by stocking a wide variety of food items, including fresh produce. For example, a recent flyer from there advertised 2 lbs. of beef steak tomatoes for 99 cents, as well as cantaloupe or honeydew melons for 99 cents each.
My neighborhood dollar store, Dollarama, devotes two aisles to food items, which isn't a lot but I still found 10 brand name items that cost less there than buying them at a major grocery store in my area. You'll need to compare prices in your locality, but here are a few of the things I found:
The grocery store chain sells Jello brand instant puddings for $1.19 a package. The dollar store has Neilson instant pudding mix, 2 packages for $1, a savings of $1.38 on two packages.
A 19 oz. jar of the store brand applesauce was $1.69. Save 69 cents by buying Apple Snax applesauce at the dollar store.
A 5.5 oz can of Burns flaked ham was $1.29 at the grocery store but only a buck at the dollar store.
Puritan stews in 14 oz. cans cost $1.79 each at the grocery store. That's 79 cents more than you'll pay for the same thing at the dollar store.
The same goes for Hunts Manwich in the 14 oz. tin which also sells for $1.79 at the supermarket.
Stokely beans with pork in tomato sauce, 19 fl. oz. cost $1 at the dollar store, while a smaller 10 oz. size of beans with pork cost $1.09 at the grocery store.
A 23 oz. can of Primo spaghetti sauce that sells for $1 at the dollar store, costs $1.49 at the grocery store.
Save 79 cents a can on 15 oz. cans of Chef Boyardee Pastas by buying them at the dollar store rather than the grocery store.
You can get two 10 oz cans of Heinz tomato soup for $1 at the dollar store. No Heinz on the shelves at my supermarket, but they sell Campbells tomato soup for 99 cents a can.
A 1.98 lb. bag of Dainty Rice that sells for $1 at the dollar store is $2.49 at the grocery store.
On just these few items, my total savings would be $7.78 and that ain't hay when you've got a family to feed. Imagine what you would save if you bought most of your canned goods from a dollar store?
Marlene Alexander is a freelance writer and dollar store diva. She write free tips and decorating ideas using only items from the dollar store.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
9-02-2008 @ 2:02PM
j said...
There are great buys at the Dollar Store. Just remember to check country of orgin on the food. I've found that some of the canned goods and other packaged food comes from China. With recent scares and recalls I avoid food from that country.
Usually name brands are ok- and you may find new items and promotional items that are being pushed at the grocery store for a lot less at the dollar store. (When I do I buy in bulk).
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9-02-2008 @ 2:56PM
Megan said...
Don't forget to look at the experation dates. some of these stores purchase these items from a local chain store because they are aboput to expire. Other discount stores are able to pass on savings to you because they purchase an extreamly large amount from the maker, but you will never know this by looking at the box. SO CHECK THE EXP DATE for your own good.
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9-12-2008 @ 9:05AM
GerriH said...
Meghan,
Checking the selly by dates is a good idea for some products like fresh or processed meats and cheeses. For other pre-packaged goods the dates can be misleading. Most of the dates on pre-packaged goods are "BEST IF USED BY" dates. That just means that the flavors might not be at their peak, but havn't gone bad. Boxed products usually aren't stale past the BEST BY date, especially crackers and cereals which have inner packaging that protects from moisture and air until opened. They have at least another two months.If your family eats like mine does, the products will never see the two month mark. If not, just invest in a couple of Rubbermaid containers and transfer the products into them, that helps extand freshness and shelf life. If the products are in vacuum tins, the shelf life is usually 1 year from the date of packaging, though they do tend to last quite a bit longer (up to six months past BEST BY) due to the vacuum seal. The only caveat is never purchase badly damaged tins from any store; that could compromise the seal and let bacteria in. A small dent is not an issue; a crushed or obviously bashed can is.
9-02-2008 @ 7:23PM
alsax36 said...
frankthebum.com has a list of things that China f-ed up and ships to local dollar stores...they will probably give you lead poisoning or something
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9-12-2008 @ 9:53AM
Danice said...
I wholly agree with you.. A lot of things are of poor quality also: like the salt/sugar contents, and the hidden trans fats, and other ingredients that are harmful to your health. Even some famous brand names end up at the dollar store, with these hidden flaws,
so it is also important to check the labels and ingredients, as well as where the product was made. You might not be getting a bargin afterall!!!
9-08-2008 @ 8:16AM
Chod said...
I recently bought some insect spray at a Family Dollar store and it worked better than anything I've ever tried. The name on it is TAT. Whatever that means, it means dead. It cost a lot less than the Raid's spray and the bug's are just as dead. Maybe even more dead.
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9-12-2008 @ 6:22AM
Vera said...
You not only save on some canned goods, but what a saving on cleaners. I buy my bleach, sprays, brooms, mops, and disposable baking pans.....I have a great time at the Dollar Tree Store and if you haven't tried them yet......Try one today.
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9-12-2008 @ 6:42AM
Chef Alfred said...
VERA- Believe it or not you can make some incredible things
with items from a Dollar Store. This is one of my fav using
Chef Boyardee beef ravioli: carefully slice a nice soft hero roll
so the surfaces are flat. Lay the bread face-up on a sheet pan and arrange the raviolis on the roll. Place slices of Deli Mozzarella onto the raviolis & bake for 15 minutes at 300 or
until the cheese is hot and bubbly. Serve!
alfredschrader@aol.com
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9-12-2008 @ 7:12AM
Jenna said...
My favorite thing that I buy at 99 cents stores are bags of cheezits or yogurt covered pretzels or wheat thins. These are multi serving bags and I then make my own 100 calorie packs for much much less than they sell them for in the grocery store. I find it much easier to control what I eat when I have set portions.
I also eat flax every morning. I have the same breakfast now every day. I recently lost 30 pounds following the weight watchers program http://www.weightwatchers.com
and I now just am more watchful every day of what I eat. I have a banana low fat yogurt with golden roasted flax for breakfast every day. It is filling, keeps me regular and tastes fabulous. My Weight Watchers leader recommended fitflax to me and it definitely helped the last 10 pounds to melt off. It is a flax and chia blend and I think I read about it in O mag. They also listed a code to get 15% off. The site is http://www.fitflax.com and the code for 15% off is FIT15
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9-12-2008 @ 8:46AM
Beth Krajewski said...
I shop regularly at the local Dollar General store for everything I possibly can THEN finish up at the regular grocery store.
My savings is usually in the $30 - $40 range.
Dollar General stocks coffee, creamers, sugars, beans, canned goods, pastas, over the counter medicines, paper products and cleaning products at a noticeable discount. It's great as long as you're not fussy about buying stuff that's not name-brand.
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9-12-2008 @ 8:40AM
jeff said...
Country of origin is a good warning. We do hit the Dollar Store periodically for some items and snacks. But I found toothpaste approved by the INDIAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION. I'll pass!!
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9-12-2008 @ 8:48AM
jeleanoro said...
If you have a 'Dollar Tree' nearby...they have refrigerated and frozen foods too. No produce, but they do sell bread and rolls.
I shop there first, then head to WalMart, before my super market. Fortunately, I don't have to travel too far to get to each store, or the gas for my car, would eat up the savings.
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9-12-2008 @ 9:20AM
Tenna said...
I love dollar general, i try to buy all paper supplies there cause you can't beat prices not even at wal-mart .They have Cleaning supplies,name brand that is alot cheaper,if you like to count your dollars this is the best place to save.
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9-12-2008 @ 9:31AM
Sandy said...
I have shopped the Dollar Store for years! Great buys on cookies and snacks that save a lot on the grocery bill. Great items for $1 to make gift baskets! Dishes, glassware and paper products are another way to save. I buy bath salts, lotions, hygiene items there that are better than some of the high dollar products on the market. Give your child a couple dollars and they will have just as much fun picking out something as in the toy department of the big chain stores. Books, toys, crafts, holiday items, wrapping papers, gift cards etc. etc on the shelves will surprise you in their quality!
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9-12-2008 @ 10:27AM
Tammys grammy said...
I have found really good asparagus for 1.00 a can. Tried it and bought 10 more cans. It is as good as the Green Giant at 3.69 .
Another tip. If you have a Savers store near you and go on Mondays things are .99 cents. I have cashmere sweaters and Dana Buchman pants for.99. Jones of New York pant suits..99
Great for men and kids. Both my girls had Laura Ashley velvet dresses for Xmas,plus fancy shoes. It cost me 2.00 each. Plus 2 winter dress coats for.99. Everyone thinks we are rich at their school. I also live in an upscale community and my kids can compete with name brands. All in beautiful clean condition. Some still have tags on them. Monet goes to Big Brothers and Sisters. Mommy of 5
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9-12-2008 @ 11:58AM
June said...
Don't know where you live, Tammys grammy, but I want to go shopping with you. What a bargain hunter!!
9-12-2008 @ 2:20PM
trac said...
For those of you who posted that you were out a job, check out www.shoptoearn.net/traci if you want to jump in on the biz opportunity of a lifetime!! It is ground level. You receive cash back every time you shop online at target, home depot, walmart, circuit city, compusa, Old Navy, Gap, Sports Authority, Babies R Us and hundreds more stores!! You are also paid everytime everyone else you have signed up or people they sign up shop also. We are even getting schools involved to sign up to have their own Shop To earn website as a fundraiser! Check out the site and you can email us with any questions! Click on our photo at the bottom and go to the "overview" It's amazing how it works!
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9-12-2008 @ 12:47PM
sjw said...
Im sorry but I am NOT hard up enough to buy anything food related from my Dollar Tree!!
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9-12-2008 @ 1:22PM
valerie said...
at my dollar store, i've found lots of things to decorate your home as well as cleaning supplies, and food, and paper goods they even have dishes glasses, cups, etc. and also party goods, and grab bag things for party favors. the dollar store is my kind of store i usually come out there with 10 bags of stuff that i need for my house and my family to use. i love the dollar stores in my area which is the 99cents only store.
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9-12-2008 @ 1:12PM
Ann said...
HI ALL
TRYING TO SAVE A FEW PENNIES& BUXXS , TRY THE DOLLAR TREES!!!
PAPER NAPKINS A BUCK, AT STORE 2.49
BUY 3 FOR PRICE OF 1
CARDS ON SALE 2/1
WITH HOLIDAYS APPROACHING BOOKS & CRAYONS 1 DOLLAR
EHY SPEND MEGA BUXXS WHEN CAN GET MORE ""BANG FOR BUCK"" AT DOLLAR TREES
I'MFAITHFUL SHOPPER @1 IN SYRACUSE
ACCEPT VISA & CARDS FOR FOOD STAMPS
GROCERY STORES ARE TOO HIGH IN SOME THINGS
WHAT IS A STEP OUT OF WAY TO SAVE MONEY??
GOOD LUCK SHOPPERS
WISH MORE STORES WERE AROUND
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