Dollar Stores may have a reputation with many that the products they sell are cheap or of poor quality.  While that may be true for some of the products, it’s not always the case.  There are actually some incredible deals to be found.

To determine the best dollar store buys, Kiplinger spoke with shopping experts and scoured the aisles. These are 15 of the best items to buy at dollar stores in Florida

• 1. Greeting Cards

  Greeting cards nowadays can be upwards of $5 at other locations.  At The Dollar Store they usually cost $1 for higher-quality ones and 50 cents for two. There isn’t always a huge selection, but you’ll be able to find one that will work.

• 2. Pregnancy Tests

  Pregnancy test kits from the dollar store? Yes, you can. As stated by Kiplinger, “paying a buck to see if you might be pregnant seems a risky proposition,” says Kyle James, founder of the shopping deals website RatherBeShopping. “But the tests have been done, and they’re just as good as the $10-$15 variety you’ll find at major drugstores.” At Dollar Tree, the Assured pregnancy test kits, promising “over 99% accuracy,” are $1.

• 3. Candy

  If you don’t head to The Dollar Store to get candy before the movies, you’re paying way too much.  You can find the same boxes of candy for a fraction of the price.

• 4. Cotton Swabs

  Cotton is cotton.  Why pay more when you don’t have to?

• 5. Reading Glasses

  You’re always losing them or breaking them any way.  It won’t hurt as much if they were a couple bucks.

• 6. Hair Accessories

  According to Kiplinger, “Anyone who uses hair accessories like ponytail holders and bobby pins likely know that they can disappear frequently,” says Ramhold. “You can typically get more bang for your buck by buying at the dollar store, and, as these aren’t usually seen and just serve utilitarian purposes, there’s no reason to spend more at other stores. Additionally, if you do end up losing them, you’ll likely feel okay if they didn’t cost a pretty penny in the first place.”

• 7. Picture Frames

  You can get all sizes for much less than you’ll pay at WalMart or Target.

• 8. Plant Things

  During the planting and gardening season, you might be spending a lot of time at big box stores. But, little do you know the plant supplies at dollar stores are worth it and just as good.

• 9. Tape

  6 rolls of tape, for only $1. Amazing, right?. A two-roll pack of Scotch transparent tape, totaling 500 inches, is $1 at Dollar Tree — or .002 cents per inch. A two-roll pack of Scotch transparent tape, totaling 1,200 inches, was $6.49 at Staples — or .005 cents per inch, more than twice as costly as the dollar store.

• 10. Gift & Party Supplies

  Whether you need wrapping paper, boxes, tissue paper, gift bags or any other party essentials, hit up The Dollar Store before spending hard earned money on items that get thrown away pretty quick.

• 11. Picnic Supplies

  According to Kiplinger, “Whether you need a small number of paper plates and cups or even themed decorations, the dollar store is an ideal place to shop for these items,” says Ramhold. “You typically only need them for one gathering, and those flimsy tablecloths will usually only last one party anyway, depending on how rowdy your guests are. Why pay more for those items when you can get the same quality for a lower cost? And the savings on party supplies can be put toward the things that everyone is really interested in — food and drinks.”

• 12. Vases

  You can pick up an inexpensive floral vase, or get creative and use a mason jar, a glass mug or even a milk bottle.

• 13. Cleaning Products

  You may have seen some cleaning videos on TikTok lately, and the one thing most have in common is their Dollar Store hacks.

• 14. Toiletries

  Picking up name-brand toiletries at the dollar store is a no-brainer, our shopping experts note, especially the smaller versions made for traveling and other purposes.

• 15. Home Office & School Supplies

  With remote learning putting even more of an onus on parents in the last year, seeking out and scoring school supplies at bargain prices has become even more of an imperative. Don’t overlook dollar stores when stocking up

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