What to Buy at the Dollar Store

When you're on a budget, one of the obvious ways to save money is to shop at discount stores. And the king of them all -- the dollar store -- is as cheap as it gets. However, be careful that you don't fall into the trap of buying products that will break right away, wear down quickly or take up space in your home without serving a useful purpose. Those inexpensive items can add up, and before you know it, you're either replacing them a few weeks later or bagging up the clutter for the donation center.

With a little knowledge, you can use the dollar and discount stores to your advantage. Here are a few tips for what to buy:

Wrapping Paper and Party Supplies

Dollar stores are abundant with supplies to celebrate holidays and special occasions, and this is where you can get a lot of bang for your buck. For paper products like decorative cups, plates and napkins, you can find a good variety for cheap. The same goes for themed décor. Since these are items you're going to throw away afterwards, there is no reason to pay the higher price found at party supply stores.

Speaking of celebrations, consider buying your wrapping paper and gift bags at the dollar store, too. You can find generic wrapping all year long, as well as seasonal gift wrap during holidays.

Greeting Cards

You can find a nice selection of greeting cards at the dollar store, sometimes for even less than a dollar. If you're looking for a fancier card with sound effects or special features, you won't find them here -- but for simple, sentimental greeting cards, the price can't be beat.

Movie Candy

The next time you head to the movie theater, make a quick stop at the dollar store for your snacks and candy. You'll have a much better selection and you can save a ton of money.

Storage Containers

Looking to tidy up the house and get organized? The price tag on storage containers and baskets can be incredibly high at craft stores and major retailers, but you'll find a good selection of similar quality items at dollar stores for a fraction of the cost.

If you're looking to stock up on food storage like small, reusable plastic containers, you'll find them at a good price -- just be cautious and make sure the plastic is BPA-free.

Pantry Items

If you recently moved or need to stock up your kitchen, the dollar store can be an ideal place to buy non-perishable items and spices to fill your pantry. The selection of spices won't have quite the same variety as a grocery store, but if you just need the basics you can find them at a great discount. Make sure to check expiration dates on anything you purchase.

What Not to Buy

While the dollar store offers a lot of great buys, you'll want to avoid items that just won't last or might not be the best quality. Skip electronics and batteries, especially if they're off-brand. Unless you're outfitting a student dorm or just need cheap cutlery for a party, avoid knives (which might be dull), other silverware, glassware and dishes. If you're looking for really inexpensive dishware, you might have better luck at a secondhand store.

Also avoid medications and vitamins. That might sound obvious, but when it comes to your health, you don't want to take any risks. The items found at a dollar store might not meet the same standards as those sold at pharmacies and drugstores, and could be mislabeled or unregulated.

Did you know you can shop at your favorite dollar stores online, too? In addition to the low prices, you can save more by using coupon codes and clicking through a cash back website first. Many offer bulk prices online and also have free shipping available if you pick it up in the store.

The bottom line is, don't forget the dollar store the next time you shop. If you make it part of your regular shopping rotation, you can save a lot of money in the long run. Just make your purchases carefully to avoid wasting money, even if it's just a dollar.

Jon Lal is the founder and CEO of coupons and cash back website BeFrugal.com, which saves shoppers an average of $27 per order thanks to coupons plus an average of 7 percent cash back at more than 4,000 stores.