"Follow Me Monday" …to the the Dollar Store(s)!
So this week I’m heading to three local dollar stores in my area: Dollar General, Family Dollar and Dollar Tree. I’m not a huge fan of Dollar store shopping, so I thought it would be a great idea to scout out the local Dollar Stores and see what deals can be scored. Please check below this video for a few Dollar Store deals, coupon policies, and other info!
Enjoy!
**If you can’t see the video, go here to watch it.
Like every good couponer, I wanted to know the specific coupon policy for each dollar store so several days before my shopping adventure, I emailed these stores to find their coupon policies (see below for the results). If you are a frequent dollar store shopper or browser, it is probably worth joining their electronic newsletters so that you can receive the latest coupons, promotions, etc. To join the Dollar General Savings Zone, click here; to sign for Dollar Tree emails, click here; to join Family Dollar Savings program click here and then enter your email in the box in the top right corner that says “Family Savings.”
Dollar General’s Coupon Policy (taken directly from the email I received):
- Dollar General is pleased to accept manufacturer coupons at any of our more than 8,100 stores. If you have five coupons for five products, you may use them in one transaction unless the coupon states otherwise. If the coupon states that it is good for any product, you may use the coupon for any product even if it is not pictured, unless the coupon states otherwise.
- You may use a Dollar General coupon along with a Manufacturer’s coupon for the same item, as long as neither coupon states otherwise.
- Unfortunately, due to fraudulent attempts, we are unable to accept internet coupons, unless they were issued directly from Dollar General.
Dollar Tree’s Coupon Policy (taken directly from the emailed I received):
- We do not accept manufacturer coupons. (This was all the information I received…just one simple sentence, that’s it!?)
Family Dollar Coupon Policy:
Family Dollar accepts the following types of coupons:
- Family Dollar Coupons with scan-able bar code (with valid promotion code to be used if coupon won’t scan)
- Manufacturer Coupons with scan-able bar code (cents off; no hand written values, no photo copies)
- No Free merchandise Coupons (Except buy one get one free or other combinations that require a purchase)
- Manufacturers Buy-One-Get-One-Free coupons or other combinations of buy X and get Y
- Internet Coupons (both Manufacturer & Family Dollar) with scan-able bar code only.
- Soft drink bottle caps
Here are a couple dollar store deals that you may want to take advantage of…
Dollar General:
Cheetos 7-11 oz. $2
Use the $1/1 coupon from the Dollar General coupon sheet found at the store
Final Cost $1
(Thanks, WhoSaidNothingInLifeisFree!)
Joy Dish Soap $1
Use the $0.30/1 coupon from the 2/7PG
Final cost $0.70!
(Thanks, Sarah’s Deals!)
Nabisco Cheese Nips $1.67
Use the $1/1 coupon from the 1/24SS
Final cost $0.67!
(Thanks, Sarah’s Deals!)
Family Dollar
Reach toothbrushes $1
Use the $1/1 coupon from the 10/18 RP or from here
Final cost FREE!
Fantastik Cleaner $2
Use the $1/1 coupon from the 1/10 SS (value may vary by region)
Final cost $1!
Be sure to enter the Family Dollar Stash your Cash Sweepstakes where you can win up to $2,000 cash!! Plus, if you are one of the first 20,000 people to submit a money-saving tip (you will be directed to the page to enter your tip as soon as you register for the sweepstakes), then you will receive a Scott Brand mailer with exclusive savings (Plus you could win a $25 Family Dollar gift card if your tip is chosen as one of the 5 best)!! (Thanks, The Modern Saver!)
You may also want to enter the Family Dollar Win Free Groceries for a Year Sweepstakes where you can win groceries for a year (i.e. $7,800) or a chance to win 1 of 500 $25 Family Dollar gift certificates!
If you purchase any General Mills products at Dollar General, be sure to check out the Dollar General Ultimate Race Experience Sweepstakes where you can win a V.I.P. trip to the 2010 Prelude to the Dream Race at Eldora Speedway or one of 600 $25 Dollar General gift cards. (Note: To enter this sweepstakes, you will need to enter the receipt code from your General Mills purchase at Dollar General).
Finally, if you are a big fan of Dollar Tree, check out the “Why I Love My Dollar Tree” contest where you can win up to $1000 by submitting a video, poem or story, song or an image about why you love Dollar Tree.
Colin, get better soon! Thanks for the video. I have the same thoughts as you on the dollar stores. Because of our bucks and or rewards back at CVS and WAgs. it is very hard to compete with these stores. You are great!
I always buy greeting cards, mylar balloons, and gift bags from the Dollar Tree right up the road. You can’t beat a buck for those items.
Great video! Cracked up at the KY “treasure” that you found. 🙂
Collin – if one is close to where you are going (mine is next door to my rite aid)-I pick up the sunday paper for $1.00 instead of $1.50 anywhere else.
I just did this on Sunday, picked up 2 so I could get more albies doublers. And as I was checking out, I saw he had a red plum coupon insert laying on the counter. I asked him what was up with it (mind you he was about 17 years old). He said he just wrapped up items with it…HORROR…I asked if I could have it. He said “sure”. Gave it to me and I proudly walked out…He surely thought I was CRAZY!
My husband is so glad he wasn’t with me 🙂
Which dollar store sells newspapers?
The Dollar Tree has Sunday papers for $1.00
…the ‘horror’ of someone wrapping with a coupon insert……..lol
I purchase newspapers for 1.00 at the dollar store, and ballons and party supplies for 1.00 at dollar tree, nothing else strikes my fancy
I hope you feel better soon Collin! Thanks for another great video!
I allways buy my batteries at the dollar store. That is pretty much the only thing that I only get there,I do get greeting cards and gift bags/tissue paper for gifts there too. I’ve noticed like you pointed out with the pull ups that some stuff is a buck there but like 88 cents at walmart or the grocery store…and so on. Thanks and we are all feeling crummy too ugh!! get well soon!
wow! I can’t believe you have never been to a dollar store. I love the dollar tree! I always get cute holiday decorations there and cheap toys for my boys. The one by me even had gerber baby food 3 for $1
Hi, It seems that you are having to hide and almost whisper to do the videos? do the stores not let you video tape your shopping trip? it seems to be a little clandestine?
i know better than to watch a video and try and put a baby to sleep. the mean green cleaner made me laugh so hard. haha
I agree with you on the dollar stores.. With all the great sales at walgreens and rite aid you just can’t beat it.. thanks for all you do and the ky was funny 🙂
I am in total agreeance (is that a word) about Dollar stores not my favorites.
I wanted to make a suggestion for a future Follow Me Monday idea. I would love to see you go to Michaels and Joanns to show all the great crafting deals.
Also would love to see one that discusses the pitfalls of shopping at places like Sam’s Club and how they sometimes charge you more for items when you buy them in bulk.
Thanks so much love to hear your take on these two subjects!
You should go drink some hot tea with lemons in it….
Good one!
ok, y’all, I love the $$$$ tree! I always get tons of party supplies there, because not only are they $1, but you get 20 or 24 plates in a pack, compared to 8 or 10 at Target, for like $1.75! I love your videos! thanks!
I agree walgreens is better but I don’t have one. I live in a small town we do have a rite aid, dollar general and family dollar. And my dollar general does accept internet coupons they said it depends on the manager. So I save alot of money there. Thanks for doing the video even though you didn’t feel well!
In my opinion Best deals at the Dollar Tree are…
Frames
Mylar Ballons
Decorations
Cards are 2/$1
hand towels
holiday items
AND I buy my 3 year old son $1 gifts and when he gets 10 smiley faces for good behavior he can go shopping in my $1 store I have set up for him!
AND some of the best mugs I have ever found I bought there. They microwave very well and don’t get hot!
Happy Shopping!
Great Video as always!!! I only visit the Dollar Tree for cheap kitchen items and holiday treat bags or stuff for the kids daycare parties. And if you need a gift bag, there is NO place cheaper that I have found for these and they have some really cute designs… Not cute as in Target cute, but as in it looks great for $1… lol
I did learn a few things…and stopped going to Dollar stores a few years ago because so much of the stuff you buy there isn’t even worth $1, in my opinion. But it is good for party supplies. But I don’t buy party favors there or stocking stuffers because I think it is all junk from China and who knows how they made it.
Thanks so much Collin! I had requested you do a video on this twice and I appreciate it so much! It’s good to know their coupon policy and you can score some good deals. Thanks again!
I have been shopping around for party supplies for my daughter’s birthdays. I hit the Dollar Store this weekend and was shocked at how inexpensive and nice the party stuff was. They even had Sesame Street and Princess stuff. Plates, cutlery, tablecloths…you name it! They also had the cutest easter decorations!!
I second the best deal being the pregnancy tests!!!! They are awesome!!!!
My mother-in-law l.o.v.e.s the Dolar Tree. Theirs even sells SEAFOOD! pastries, t-shirts for kids and adults, cheese. It’s great for homeschoolers too. My kids got me scrapbooking supplies there for Mother’s Day too. You name it, they sell it! And the quality is great. Of course, since she lives in the same city as their headquarters.
Too bad it’s out of the way for me. So I buy similar things at the Target Dollar Spot instead.
Even Clark Howard on CNN I saw said to watch out in Dollar stores, they aren’t always the best deal and some products are made in Mexico and other countries you think you are getting crest and its really a box that looks just like it kind of thing. We only have 99c stores and Dollar Tree here in So Cal. But Dollar Tree can be a life saver when you need party things and they have a web site to buy in bulk in case you are throwing a LARGE party LOL
I prefer the products at Walgreens, Target, etc.of course but, it’s also nice to walk into Dollar Tree, and know that everything is $1.00, so you don’t have to deal with rude, Cashiers, Managers, that like to complain about the coupon or RR.your using because everything is a dollar!,
I like the Dollar Tree for small rewards for the kids. It is just so easy to say, “Pick anything you want,” because everything is the same price. I find that when I go to WalMart or Target to let them pick something out or buy something with their own money it is always so much more complicated!
Who can say they look forward to “Mondays”? Well, I can b/c I get to watch your videos. WooHoo! I hope you feel better soon. Can’t wait till next Monday…
I too am not impressed with the dolllar general and family dollar stores. I actually had a very frustrating trip at our local family dollar store. It was back when we had those coupons for the BOGO free of the mr clean foor cleaners, magic erasers and swiffer coupons back in October.. I wanted to use them all up before they expired and filled my buggy with all my suff went to check out and the cashier and store manager said I COULD NOT USE ALL THOSE COUPONS. I could not believe it so I just asked for my coupons back and told them I would go to where I always go and that they would gladly take them . They told me that no one would let me use that many coupons. HEY I only had 6 coupons. I thought these people had better get with it if they want couponers to shop there. I went to my local grocery store where i always shop and they OF COURSE accepted all coupons as usual with out blinking an eye and even asked me to come again,
I did e-mail corporate and they called me a week later but I was not home so I didn’t get to talk to them.
I was at Dollar General today. They had boxes of Celestial Teas marked at $1.12. They rang up for $1.00 ea. I use the $1.00/1 coupon to score two free boxes!
This week Family Dollar has All brand lanudry detergant on sale for $3. I had two $2 off coupons (I cant remember when I got them last month sometime.) So that made them a $1 a bottle. I also had $1 off of Johnson and Johnson dental floss. Family Dollar sells it for a $1, so its like getting it for free.
I’m not a dollar store shopper, either. You get what you pay for, both literally and figuratively. It’s like hair stylists. You go to the Hair Barn or something, and you get a vaguely dissatisfied hack who yanks your hair out by the roots with a comb while sighing and telling you how tangly it is, as if your hair is a personal affront to her sensibilities. Go to a better salon, and stylists choose to focus on your hair’s more positive qualities, and it’s suddenly healthy, smooth, and shiny.
Interesting that Family Dollar doesn’t take free coupons. Last year, I redeemed two free coupons for Marcal paper towels without making any other purchase (before I began couponing heavily and realized this is a bit of a faux pas).
I think they don’t take IP frees. I think insert frees like the Marcal are ok. 🙂
OK, has anyone said that the dollar tree has pregnancy tests?!!!! THEY DO! And I can say that they actually work! I laughed the first time I saw them, and thought “who would buy PG tests HERE!!??” But then I did, and they worked great (3 times, LOL!)
I used them too! My friend is a nurse and she said they’re the same ones the hospitals use.
Dollar Tree is the ONLY place I buy pregnancy tests. I have noticed they are just a bit more sensitive than the others and are only a $1…can’t beat that!
I love your videos!!! A video suggestion: doing a healthy coupon day (organic stuff, chemical free cleaners, etc) or going to a farmer’s market. I think there are a lot of misconceptions out there about couponers and how they only buy “center of the grocery store” products. You can eat healthy and still be a fanatic couponer!!!!!!
LOve the suggestion about couponing for healthy food!
Best thing I ever bought at Dollar Tree was a swimsuit for my son to cover his diaper ( it was so ugly, it was cute) Made great wear for when we were camping, I didn’t care how dirty it got, as if it got stained and would not wash out I was only out $1, rather then ruining his other clothes. That suit has held up for almost 2 years, I am hoping they have them again this year, so I have camping clothes for him again
I agree about the dollar store pregnancy tests. they work as well as the brand name ones!
I enjoyed your video, as always. Hope you feel better really soon. I am glad the “Dollar Stores” are available as another option for our shopping adventures. You can always count on them for party supplies and cards. Part of the novelty of shopping there is you never know what deal you may find.
This is the 2nd video to feature KY jelly. Just sayin…
Near my house is only the Dollar Tree (out of the three ‘Dollar’ stores you featured). I always forget to shop there, but I need to keep in mind that they have the Sunday papers there for $1 in case I need extras in a pinch. Great video Collin – hope you feel better soon!
R-U-N there on Sunday morning, the one by me clears out of Sunday papers FAST!
Hope you are feeling better soon. You were sick in your last video with your sister. You need to take it easy and take care of yourself. 🙂
I agree with you, Collin. I have a 19 month old that I take on all my shopping trips and we usually hit CVS, Rite Aid and Walgreens each week and Target and Kroger most weeks ( I avoid Wal-Mart like the plague LOL). It’s not worth my time to go to the dollar stores on a regular basis, but I do like to pop in there from time to time and also Big Lots. My mom and I go shopping together sometimes and use those days for the “extra” stores that are not on my hard-core couponer list (!) and the thrift stores.
I went to Dollar General for the first time in a LONG time last week and got some great deals on Bobbie Brooks clothing. They had shirts, hoodies and nice fleece PJ sets for only 3 bucks ( 75% off the $10 price)!!! They had some cute coloring and activity books for $1-$2 and I bought my daughter an Abby Cadabby book for $2 and it’s $3.99 at Rite Aid!
Nice to see a fellow Walmart hater! 🙂
I hope you feel better soon Collin. Love your video.
Hi Colin, I hope you’re feeling better. First of all I live in Southern California and I LIVE at the 99 cent only store. They have fresh produce, frozen, refrigerated and everything else you may want all for 99 cents or under. They carry brand name closeouts and I’ve gotten amazing deals there on a daily basis. Recently I purchased a 12 pack box of nature trail granola bars for 99 cents! I go often because they have nice surprises and they go fast! Dollar Tree has great items for making baskets, cute frames, candles and ribbon. We don’t have Dollar General or Family Dollar here, but I am queen of the dollar stores, just the random ones that pop up around the neighborhood. I’ve gotten some beautiful jewelry and belts that people have complimented me on and only for a buck! Thanks for your videos, they are very entertaining. Also, it’s my birthday today and I’ve already gotten my free shake at Del Taco, free dessert at Jack in the Box, Grand Slam breakfast at Denny’s and tomorrow I’m getting my free entree at El Toritos…whew…I’m gonna gain some pounds with all the great free food! Keep up the great work!
Wow-Collin, I couldn’t believe it when you said you had never been into one of the ‘dollar’ stores! ;0 I think for me, these stores have been favorites over the years for different reasons b/c I never really KNEW about couponing, how you could use them w/sales, etc. until now! So I understand what you mean when you say that about what CVS offers, w/their extra bucks program and Wags w/their RR. It is simply that company’s way of maintaining customer loyalty to their particular store. And keep them coming back. I know not all items at Dollar General are the best price; but I can say when my babies all used diapers, they always had Luvs for $6 (at the most I paid $7 after inflation, etc.) but obviously not anymore! lol. And they would tuck a $1.00 coupon into the side of the diapers and so I thought if I paid $5.00 for that bag I was really gettin a good deal~! 😉 And back the, it was. I also like going to DG to buy those ‘movie theatre’ snacks….SHHHH!!!! But my fam. and I swing by there on our way to a flick every now and then and buy their reese’s pieces or whoppers and then just get the popcorn and coke at the theatre! Saves lots of money and keeps the lil ones busy! ha
Dollar Tree, usually I only go there if it is around Christmastime and I am filling stockings….also they are good for if you need a mylar balloon for a b’day, etc. and like you said, ‘Decorations on the cheap!’ love it!
Family dollar, I like b/c they have the off brand of zyrtec for $5! And it lasts us almost two weeks for my son who has chronic allergies sometimes! So each store has something. I just happen to be lucky enough that all of mine are literally clumped so close together it is not a wasted trip or out of my way to go to them all, if needed.
Thanks for the great video! Sorry so long! Just givin’ my 2 cents~ ! 😉
Collin great vid. I like Dollar Tree for certain things. There are some good thing and some not so good things. Did you get a chance to look at their makeup and other beauty stuff? I have found some great stuff like the LA Colors makeup and some Sally Hansen and Maybelline. You have to choose your colors cause they have some that are not what I like, but there are some I like. I lean more towards the pinks and browns. They have some nice lip glosses. Well anyway glad you did this vid I didn’t know about the coupoons for the Family Dollar. Thanks! As always very informative Follow Me Monday. : )
I forgot to ask as at Walgreens do we hand over the MQ before the Store Q at The Family Dollar store?
Quick, cheap organizing tip. I’ll go to any of the dollar stores listed above and get their little $1 clear brag book photo albums. I then flip the cover over and relabel them with the name of makeup or face care brands. Then inside in the photo pockets I put those coupons. I only do it with those so it makes it easier to keep in my purse so if I’m in Walgreens or CVS and see a great makeup product on clearance I can quickly flip through and see if I have a coupon. Also they sometimes have good deals on Stationery type products notepads, grocery lists, note cards. They make a nice filler item for a gift basket. That being said Joann’s and Michaels have great $1 bins to for those items. Hope that helps. Thanks again Collin feel better soon.
I use brag photo albums too – fits in my purse – so I always have my coupons with me
I didn’t get to read through all of the comments, so I am sorry if someone already posted this. The best deal at the dollar stores are pregnancy tests. Only $1 and they worked both times I was pregnant.
Also, on another note. I just got my daughter a pair of Dora shoes (just like the ones that are $13-$16 at Wal-Mart) for $5 at Dollar General–They were 50% off!
Dollar Tree is great for mylar balloons. They are only $1.00 each. A nice surprise for my two year old. They are also great for parties and cookouts, we use them on the mailbox to make our house standout.
For Memorial Day and July 4th they have red, blue and white star balloons. Cheap decorating!
I think Collin mentioned in the video that Family Dollar will let you use a Family $ coupon with a manafacturer coupon. Does anyone know if that is the case? I was told at my local Family $ that they won’t.
Love my Dollar Tree stores. I actually go to one in NJ (across the bridge) just because they have a great Frozen Food section and everything is $1.00. Actually purchased Pillsbury’s Savory appetizers for $1.00 and Shoprite has them 2/$10 this week, what a steal and they are delicious. Went to Family Dollar just now and they don’t have circulars at my location and Collin is right, prices do not compare with Wags or CVS. Store was a bit messy and their store brands almost looked like the name brand items. Actually bought cute hair accessories for my daughter that I can’t get anywhere else.
Actually this is the THIRD video with KY!! LOL
got Valentine gift bags for $.10 at Family Dollar today, great for birthday gifts.