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Dollar General is sometimes a convenient place to save on greeting cards, cleaning products, and household essentials you forgot to pick up somewhere else. However, a low price doesn't always mean you're getting a good deal when shopping there.
Smaller packages may cost more per ounce or per unit, and inexpensive products may need to be replaced sooner than expected. To avoid wasting money, think twice before putting these items in your Dollar General cart.
Fresh produce
Picking up fresh produce at Dollar General may be convenient, but they sell fewer options, limiting what you could find somewhere else. If you have to buy your fresh produce there, inspect your fruits and vegetables for bruises, mold, wrinkles, and soft spots. If the produce spoils a day or two after you buy it, it's not saving you any money.
A high-volume grocery store, farmers market, or Aldi may offer fresher choices, better sales, and produce that lasts longer in your refrigerator.
Dairy products
Milk, cheese, yogurt, and other refrigerated products may have attractive prices, but check the package size. Dollar General may sell smaller containers that cost less upfront but more per ounce than larger packages at a traditional grocery store.
It's also important to think about how fast you'll go through the product. Buying a small container might make sense when you only need a little bit, but families who use dairy regularly may get a better per-ounce value if they buy a larger container at a supermarket or warehouse club.
Frozen foods
Frozen meals, pizzas, and snacks are convenient, but they're not always filling enough to justify the price. Discount-store packages sometimes contain smaller portions or fewer servings than similarly priced products at regular grocery stores.
Check the net weight and number of servings instead of relying on the photograph on the box. A slightly larger frozen meal from a supermarket may feed more people and cost less per serving. Grocery-store sales are useful for stocking the freezer, with name-brand frozen foods often discounted or included in multibuy promotions.
Generic batteries
Some inexpensive "heavy-duty" batteries use zinc-carbon chemistry, which is usually better when used for low-drain devices. Alkaline or rechargeable batteries usually work better in toys, game controllers, and flashlights that are used frequently. You may be able to buy bigger packs for a lower per-battery price at major retailers.
Electronics
A product that stops working within a few weeks may cost more to replace than a dependable option purchased once. Before buying bargain electronics, check the specifications, warranty, return policy, and manufacturer information. If those details are limited or unavailable, it might be best if you buy those electronics somewhere else. You should be able to easily find the info to compare quality and expected performance.
Charging cords and power accessories
Charging cords tend to bend and weaken near their connectors, and cheaply made versions may wear out quickly. Some also charge slowly, overheat, or fail to deliver the power required by your device.
This does not mean every cord sold at Dollar General is unsafe, but check for device compatibility, clear manufacturer information, and recognized safety certification (such as UL or ETL) before buying. For a cable or wall adapter you'll use daily, choose one from the device manufacturer or a reputable electronics brand.
Over-the-counter medicines
Generic medicine may contain the same active ingredient and dosage as the name-brand options, but the package could contain fewer doses. Check the pill count, expiration date, and price per dose before assuming Dollar General has the better deal. Because over-the-counter medications are sometimes affected by recalls, check current FDA notices before using an unfamiliar product.
Vitamins and supplements
Be selective about vitamins, herbal remedies, and other dietary supplements, no matter where they are sold. The FDA doesn't approve dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness before reaching store shelves.
Look for products with independent certification, such as from organizations like USP or NSF. These include testing to confirm that a supplement's contents match its label.
Cheaply made toys
Dollar General is sometimes a good place to find coloring books or simple children's toys, but use more caution with toys containing small pieces, magnets, batteries, brittle plastic, or easily detachable parts, which could be unsafe. Toys with detachable small parts could pose choking or ingestion hazards, while accessible magnets and button batteries may cause serious injuries if they get swallowed.
The price alone doesn't determine if a toy is safe, but make sure to check the recommended age, inspect seams and removable parts, and make sure battery compartments close securely.
Get a protection plan on all your appliances
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Whether or not you’re a new homeowner, a home warranty from Choice Home Warranty could pick up the slack where insurance falls short and protect you against surprise expenses. If a covered system in your home breaks, you can call their hotline 24/7 to get it repaired.
For a limited time, you can get your first month free with a Single Payment home warranty plan.
Low-quality pet food and toys
Before buying inexpensive pet food, compare the ingredients, calorie content, serving size, and nutritional adequacy statement with your pet's usual formula. According to the FDA, food labeled "complete and balanced" must meet an AAFCO nutrient profile or pass a feeding trial using their procedures.
Pet toys also need a close inspection because weak seams and loose squeakers might cause swallowing or choking risk. A sturdier toy that lasts is usually the better bargain and safer choice.
Small packages of name-brand staples
You may see some brand names at Dollar General, but it doesn't guarantee you're getting the best deal. Dollar General often sells smaller packages of detergent, cereal, snacks, toilet paper, paper towels, and personal-care products that keep the price affordable.
The catch is that the "affordable" price per ounce, load, sheet, or item may be higher than the cost of a bigger package somewhere else. Check the unit price instead of only looking at the price sticker. If you know your household frequently uses the product, it's usually better to get it in bulk or a bigger size at Walmart, Costco, Sam's Club, or another supermarket sale.
Off-brand pantry foods
Some private-label foods taste nearly identical to their name-brand counterparts. Others might be disappointing in texture, flavor, or ingredient quality, especially if you are trying the product for the first time.
A cheap box of cereal or package of cookies is not a bargain if no one in the house wants to finish it. Check ingredient lists and compare package sizes before buying. When experimenting with an unfamiliar brand, start with one item rather than stocking up.
Bottom line
Shopping at Dollar General sometimes helps you save money, but only when you know which items are a good deal and which aren't. Greeting cards, basic cleaning supplies, seasonal decorations, and occasional-use items could be worth adding to your cart. On the other hand, perishable food, supplements, electronics, safety-sensitive children's products, and small packages require a second look.
You could stretch your budget even further by paying with one of the best cash back credit cards, as long as you pay the balance in full and avoid interest charges.
More from FinanceBuzz:
- 12 ways to pocket up to $300.
- Are you a homeowner? Get a protection plan on all your appliances.
- 10 little weird hacks Costco shoppers should know.
- Learn how to escape the paycheck-to-paycheck grind.
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