15 Dollar Tree Buys You Should Never Buy Anywhere Else

Dollar Tree can save you money on everyday items or special one-time buys. You may be surprised to find that you can find some quality products for less than you would have to pay at other retail stores.

One thing to keep in mind is that the lowest shelf price isn't always the best value. Package size, quantity, and product type can make a major difference, particularly when comparing dollar-store merchandise with products from big-box retailers. Dollar Tree's inventory can also vary by location, so shoppers may find different brands, designs, and sizes depending on when and where they shop.

Whether you just want a good deal or you're sticking to a budget to lower your money stress, here are some items you should always get at Dollar Tree for the best deal.

Editor's note: prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location.

Journals are great to have around to take notes, write down thoughts and even prepare yourself financially by keeping track of your expenses.

Grab a whimsical 100-page spiral-bound journal from Dollar Tree for $1.25, compared to a similar 125-page spiral-bound journal from Target for $5. Before tossing one in your cart, look at more than the page count. Paper dimensions, line spacing, cover construction, and binding can affect how useful a notebook is.

Spiral-bound designs have the advantage of folding back on themselves, which can make them convenient when desk space is limited. You can also dedicate inexpensive notebooks to specific purposes, such as meal planning, household projects, passwords, or packing lists, without using up a more expensive journal.

Pick up some things for your kids while you're at Dollar Tree that are sure to make them happy.

You can get a Hot Wheels Die-Cast Car at Dollar Tree for $1.25 for the kids who love cars, while a similar car at Walmart would cost you $3.48. Hot Wheels produces a huge variety of vehicles, so the selection on the peg can be part of the appeal for kids who enjoy collecting different models.

The small size also makes individual cars easy to use as stocking stuffers, party favors, or additions to gift bags. Inventory is likely to vary, however, so a particular vehicle, color, or design may not be available every time you visit.

Sometimes a gift bag is an easier option for wrapping a special present for someone instead of pulling out wrapping paper.

Grab a large gift bag with a fun birthday design for $1.50 at Dollar Tree, or pick up a similar bag at Target for $3. That $1.50 price is still reflected in Dollar Tree's current online selection. For example, the retailer lists a Voila Happy Birthday gift bag in a large size for $1.50, and another Voila large birthday bag measures 12 by 10 by 5 inches.

If you're comparing bags between retailers, dimensions are worth checking because "large" isn't a standardized size. Handles, construction, and whether a bag includes extras such as a gift tag can also affect the comparison. Bags that survive the celebration without tearing can also be folded flat and saved for another occasion.

You may be surprised that something as basic as aluminum foil could be cheaper at your local Dollar Tree than at other retail stores.

Pick up a 40-square-foot roll at Dollar Tree for $1.75, or head to Walmart and grab a 50-square-foot version for $4.48. When comparing rolls, calculate the price per square foot rather than relying only on the package price. You'll also want to check whether you're buying standard or heavy-duty foil because thickness can affect both performance and price.

Standard foil may be sufficient for covering dishes, lining pans, and wrapping leftovers, while heavier foil may make more sense for jobs that require additional strength. Roll width matters, too, especially if you regularly cover large baking sheets or pans.

Keep your teeth clean and minty fresh with some toothpaste from your favorite Dollar Tree. A tube of Colgate toothpaste can cost you $1.25 at your local Dollar Tree, or grab a similar tube from Walmart for $1.97.

The exact Colgate formula matters when you're comparing prices. For their 40th anniversary, Dollar Tree currently lists a 5-ounce tube of Colgate anticavity fluoride toothpaste for $1, marked down from $1.25, which works out to 20 cents per ounce.

A 5-ounce Brisk Mint variety is also currently $1 and is labeled as a whitening toothpaste. Since toothpaste tubes can look similar despite having different sizes and features, checking ounces and formula can give you a more accurate comparison than looking at the brand name alone.

Keep your brain sharp and challenged with crossword puzzle books from Dollar Tree. You can pick up a large-print crossword puzzle book from Dollar Tree for $1.25 or a similar version from Target for $8.99.

The amount of entertainment you get for the money can depend on the number of puzzles rather than simply the number of pages. Puzzle difficulty is another consideration because some books are intended for casual solvers while others use more challenging clues. Large-print editions can make the text easier to read, while compact books may be more convenient for travel.

Dollar-store book inventory also tends to rotate, so you may encounter different crossword collections, publishers, or difficulty levels on different visits.

Take out the trash easily with some trash bags from Dollar Tree that cost less than those at other retailers. Hefty Strong 13-gallon trash bags come in a box of 25 for $5 from Dollar Tree or a pack of 50 at Target for $11.29. At that price difference, Dollar Tree is the better choice to get ahead financially. Using those package prices, Dollar Tree works out to 20 cents per bag, while Target comes to about 23 cents per bag.

But unit price isn't the only specification worth checking with trash bags. Capacity, closure type, and construction can determine whether a particular box works with your kitchen can and the kinds of loads you normally throw away. A smaller package may also be useful for households that don't go through bags quickly or don't have much room to store a bulk box.

Clean up the polish on your nails with nail polish remover from an affordable dollar store.

Dollar Tree sells a six-ounce bottle of nail polish remover for $1.25, or you can pick up a similar six-ounce bottle from Target for $1.69. Since both bottles in this comparison contain six ounces, there's no need to adjust the prices for different package sizes.

What you should check is the formula. Nail polish removers can contain acetone or use other solvent formulations, and products aren't necessarily interchangeable just because the bottles hold the same amount. Ingredients and directions on the label can help you determine whether the less expensive product is actually comparable to the one you're considering at another retailer.

Get in the holiday spirit with items from the shelves of Dollar Tree. For Halloween, you can grab a decorative Halloween pumpkin for $1.50, compared to only one from Target for $5.

Timing can make a difference when shopping for inexpensive holiday decorations. Seasonal merchandise generally occupies shelf space for a limited period, so waiting until immediately before a holiday may mean fewer designs and styles to choose from. Shopping earlier can be particularly helpful if you need several matching pieces for a party, classroom, or coordinated display.

On the other hand, shoppers who aren't particular about the exact design can check later in the season to see what's left before paying more somewhere else.

Get some red party cups to celebrate a birthday or to have on hand for your latest summer barbecue. A 50-pack of 18-ounce red cups will cost you $3 at your local Dollar Tree, or you can get similar cups from Walmart for $5.84.

For a more accurate comparison, make sure competing packages contain the same number of cups and the same capacity. A lower-priced package of 16-ounce cups, for example, isn't an exact match for an 18-ounce package. The count also matters when planning an event because guests may use more than one cup. Buying enough at the outset could help you avoid an extra trip once the party has started.

Keep your hands clean while getting name-brand products from your local dollar store. A 7.5-ounce container of name-brand Dial hand soap will set you back $1.25 at your local Dollar Tree, compared to $2.49 at your local Target.

Small bottles aren't automatically the cheapest option per ounce, particularly when another retailer sells larger bottles or refill containers. That makes hand soap a good product for checking the unit price before stocking up. Smaller containers can still be practical when you have limited counter or cabinet space, want different scents in different bathrooms or simply don't want to purchase a large quantity at once.

Be sure you're also comparing liquid hand soap with liquid hand soap rather than a foaming formula or another type of cleanser.

To get your kids back in the school swing, you can pick up some affordable teaching supplies at the Dollar Store. A pack of multiplication flash cards costs $1.25 at Dollar Tree, or you can find a similar set of cards at Target for $2.79.

When choosing flash cards, check which multiplication facts are included rather than assuming every package covers the same material. Card count, recommended grade level, and whether answers appear on the reverse side can also affect how useful a particular set is.

An inexpensive pack can be kept in a backpack or car for short practice sessions without requiring a screen or internet connection. Parents can also shuffle the cards to change the order and focus additional practice on facts a child hasn't mastered yet.

You can pick up name-brand batteries from Dollar Tree that cost less than the same product at other stores. Panasonic's four-pack of AA batteries costs $1.25 at Dollar Tree compared to $3.99 at Walmart.

Dollar Tree currently lists Panasonic Super Heavyduty AA batteries in a four-count package for $1.25, or roughly 31 cents per battery, although the product was listed as out of stock when checked. Pay attention to battery chemistry when comparing prices because these Panasonic batteries are labeled "Super Heavy Duty," and a pack of alkaline batteries isn't necessarily an equivalent product.

The type of device you're powering and how quickly it consumes batteries can make the cheapest upfront option different from the best overall value.

Hair clips like butterfly clips are coming back in style, and you can get a pack of your favorite clips from Dollar Tree. A pack of eight butterfly clips costs $1.25 at Dollar Tree, compared to 10 clips for $5 at your local Target.

Based on those package prices, the Dollar Tree clips cost about 16 cents each, compared with 50 cents each for the Target set. Price per clip is only one consideration, though. Size, material, hinge construction, and grip can determine whether clips work well with your hair type and the style you're trying to create. Multipacks are also handy if you tend to lose small accessories because you can keep extras in a bathroom drawer, purse, or travel bag.

Need some help reading the fine print? Dollar Tree has you covered. Grab a pair of fashionable reading glasses from your local Dollar Tree for $1.25, or pick up a similar pair from Target for $9.99.

The $9.99 Target comparison remains realistic for some styles. Target currently lists several ICU Eyewear readers for $9.99, including Glendale, Avila, Highland, and Lockwood designs. The Glendale style comes in several magnification strengths and features polycarbonate frames, acrylic lenses, and spring hinges.

Customer feedback varies by design, too. The Avila readers have a 4.3-star rating from 101 reviews, while the Glendale black-and-red style has a 4.7-star rating from 73 reviews. Check magnification carefully so you're comparing glasses with the same strength rather than simply similar-looking frames.

Dollar Tree can be a great option if you're on a tight budget and want to save money shopping. But a dollar store can also help you stick to a budget if you're working toward a goal, such as retiring early, buying a car, or putting a down payment on a house.

Before stocking up, calculate unit prices on products sold in different quantities. A $1.25 or $1.75 item may look dramatically cheaper than a $5 package elsewhere. Brand and product type matter. Spending a few seconds checking sizing and quality details can help separate a genuinely strong Dollar Tree deal from a product that merely has a lower upfront price.

Check your local area to see if you can find a Dollar Tree near you, and look at the aisles for things that may be useful for your home for a fraction of the cost compared to other stores.