Things that you wouldn't think of getting at the dollar store

[hallie615]

I stopped by our local 99 cents store the other day and was shocked to see pregnancy test kits. I wasn't in the market for one, but even if I was I don't think I would buy it at the 99 cents store! It wasn't a brand I recognized and looked like it might have been from another country (not that there's anything wrong with that).

Oh my

 

[megcellent]

I saw mickey moused shaped shortbread cookies there just the other day - they were so cute!

 

[mum of two pirates]

Our dollar tree has tubes (sp) of them with 15 in each container. I think I have 4 packed for our trip. They are the bracelet size witht he conectors to make necklaces if you want.

 

[tripplanner2]

Here is there webpage with locations....
http://www.dollartree.com/

Thanks so much for the link. After I subscribed to this thread they opened 2 locations my me. They are not really THAT close but I seem to make my way there every couple of months. My last trip, right before Easter, I spent $62! I did find lots of glow stuff that I bought for our upcoming trip and barretts for the girls but I couldn't believe how much stuff I had. I actually put things back because my bill was so much. Yeah, I love that store and I have this thread to thank for it.

 

[POOHDRMR]

Hi fellow Long Islander!-I think there is one on Sunrise hwy near the Bayshore Target shopping center. It is where Franks nursery used to be around exit 42-43 I think.I drive by there all the time and i know it is a dollar store and believe it is a dollar tree cause i always want to stop and go there from all the good things people list on the boards!

 

[CookieGVB]

I think we need a new thread, "Things you won't (or shouldn't) buy in a dollar store"

-sunblock
-??

Okay, maybe that would be a short thread!

That's what I thought when I first saw the thread title - I had to read it twice.

I do have an entry for the alternate category...we were kind of surprised to see these in the dollar store, and kept joking "Oh yeah, I'd come here for that!!"

PREGNANCY TESTS

I kid you not.

Edited to add: I didn't see this post above before I posted.
I guess they have them in more than one store.

I stopped by our local 99 cents store the other day and was shocked to see pregnancy test kits. I wasn't in the market for one, but even if I was I don't think I would buy it at the 99 cents store! It wasn't a brand I recognized and looked like it might have been from another country (not that there's anything wrong with that).

 

[tripplanner2]

Hi fellow Long Islander!-I think there is one on Sunrise hwy near the Bayshore Target shopping center. It is where Franks nursery used to be around exit 42-43 I think.I drive by there all the time and i know it is a dollar store and believe it is a dollar tree cause i always want to stop and go there from all the good things people list on the boards!

Hey, I am a bit further east than you and on the north side of the island so that one is pretty far for me too. I didn't even know there was one there though. I have hit the Commack location but it is really far for me (40 minutes) and I have been to the Shirley location about 5 times. You really need to stop in. They have great paper products for the holidays. Good quality for a great price. All of the items seem to be a better quality than at a regular dollar store. One of these days you HAVE to stop in. Just make sure you leave your debit card at home, they don't take credit!

 

[fakereadhed]

GLO Stick Warning - I have had very bad luck with the Glo Sticks/necklaces/etc. from Dollar Tree. Most of them do not work! I have actually had one out of six work before, but for some reason I just keep buying them. I just buy LOTS of them knowing that over half won't work and we need extras so the kids won't be disappointed. So, if you're only buying one package and expecting them to work, you may want to consider getting more!

I'm 10/10 on those. I never considered that they wouldn't work...mine always have!

 

[Princess Glenda]

I do have an entry for the alternate category...we were kind of surprised to see these in the dollar store, and kept joking "Oh yeah, I'd come here for that!!"

PREGNANCY TESTS

I kid you not.

Edited to add: I didn't see this post above before I posted.
I guess they have them in more than one store.

LOL. ACTUALLY...DD is living proof that the Dollar Store pregnancy tests DO WORK! I was very skeptical too, but bought a 2-pack in 1999 at our local Dollar Store (not Dollar Tree but a family owned one). I took the test and it said I was pregnant...eight months or so later, DD was born! I actually took both of the tests in the package to see if they would read the same. I joked about my Dollar Store find to my ob/gyn when we did the first ultrasound.

 

[tripplanner2]

I'm 10/10 on those. I never considered that they wouldn't work...mine always have!

Mine have always worked too. The worst luck I had was in the package of 6 bracelets, one was a dud. It was not a complete wash but it was definately duller than the other bracelets.

 

[xpor2geechica69x]

I was on Mouseforless.com one day and came across a huge packing list. The list is three pages long and although there are a lot of things on there that some people might need there is a WHOLE lot of things on there that you might not remember. It definitly will be very helpful when it comes time to pack.

 

[TiggerCate]

I stopped by our local 99 cents store the other day and was shocked to see pregnancy test kits. I wasn't in the market for one, but even if I was I don't think I would buy it at the 99 cents store! It wasn't a brand I recognized and looked like it might have been from another country (not that there's anything wrong with that).

Dollar Tree tests are actually very accurate and sensitive. I tested + with them with my youngest DD just 9 or 10 days past ovulation (after hearing raves about them on fertility boards). Crazy, isn't it?

 

[kidshop]

Dollar Tree tests are actually very accurate and sensitive. I tested + with them with my youngest DD just 9 or 10 days past ovulation (after hearing raves about them on fertility boards). Crazy, isn't it?

Yep they work! I bought two packages and one of them came with a bonus two tests in the package....so $2 for 3 preganancy tests. I got a very faint, almost couldn't see it pink line about 10 dpo which got darker the next two days. I would never spend drugstore prices for something you can get for a dollar!

 

[3disneyfans]

On the glow sticks and small children..We were traveling to Florida a couple years back & my son had the thin type (necklace & bracelet). He had bent it & it broke...It was night & he was glowing ALL over.I wiped him off best I could & we continued our trip...I think they are safe but he wasn't happy his mouth was glowing,so just be cautious with the little ones & the glow sticks.

 

[POOHDRMR]

Hey, I am a bit further east than you and on the north side of the island so that one is pretty far for me too. I didn't even know there was one there though. I have hit the Commack location but it is really far for me (40 minutes) and I have been to the Shirley location about 5 times. You really need to stop in. They have great paper products for the holidays. Good quality for a great price. All of the items seem to be a better quality than at a regular dollar store. One of these days you HAVE to stop in. Just make sure you leave your debit card at home, they don't take credit!

Thanks tripplanner2 I didn't even know about the Shirley location- I am actually closer to there so now I will have to hit it on Monday after I take dd to pre-school!

 

[englishteacha]

A note on the 16 oz. water bottles with insulated holder at Dollar Tree-The sport top doesn't seal tightly...at least on the one I bought. The "pop top"/sport top on mine doesn't stay down. Of course, the holder is a funky size, so another bottle doesn't easily fit in it's place. So, try out the various tops before you buy to make sure they are tight. I should have!

 

[XxStaceFacexX]

I just wanted to start a list of things you might need for your trip that you wouldn't think of getting at the dollar store- it saves a ton of money. I don't have much to start with, but as we all add on we'll have a good thing going!

1. Stroller cover- We got our rain cover at the dollar store instead of spending $15 on one! They are perfect for a smaller stroller, and if your kids are wearing shorts/sandles they would work for a larger stroller too but their feet would get wet. They also have mosquito nets...

2. Ponchos- I know most of you know about this, but we found two packs at our dollar store, so keep your eyes open!

3. Beach toys for the resorts- they have really cute pail/ shovel sets, with sand sifters and molds included- the smaller size is great to pack in a suitcase.

4. Toys- some dollar stores actually have good toys, especially for little ones- lots of boardbooks, puzzles, etc... and if you lose them, you're not out a ton of cash or a favorite toy.

5. Disposable bibs- we got ten for a dollar at our store, and they're great. Cheaper than Bibsters, they are a decent plastic and have a food catcher. They can even be used over and over again because they wipe up so easily. They also have disposable sippy cups.

6. Cute autograph pens- they have lots to choose from.

7. Disney stickers- tons of 'em!

8. Comet- if you clean the bathrooms when you get there.

9. Shoe organizers- great for hanging toiletries on the door at value resorts and on cruises. (Here's a non-Disney tip: they're also great for keeping track of winter hats, gloves, etc)

10. Swim masks/flipper sets (they have cute ones for younger kids like sharks and frogs too) and goggles- be sure to wipe them down first, they've been known to leave marks from the coating.

11. Swim toys- rafts, floaties, swim rings, sinking sticks, noodles etc...- last year we got our son a cookie monster swim ring, it's so cute!

12. Glo-sticks for dark rides- lots of options, even sunglasses! Some people have had bad luck with these, and others have found them to work fine.

13. Ring pools (blow up) for infants/toddlers- great for cruises and even at the resort and it hardley takes up any room in the suitcase.

14. Flip flops for the pool areas

15. Little notebooks/ stationary- there are lots available, including Disney ones- great for travel journals and autograph books (use those Disney stickers!). They also have Disney pencils and sharpeners.

16. Mouthwash- you can often find twin packs of the trial size ones, usually name brand.

17. Scrapbooking Items- again, don't forget those Disney stickers. I've seen dollar stores with two aisles dedicated to scrapbooking, they have everything you could imagine!

18. Picture frames- have I mentioned Disney stickers yet? You can often find wood ones that you can paint/ decorate however you like- even the plastic ones can be dressed up!

19. Small bottles of Tide- easy to pack in your suitcase if you plan on doing laundry.

20. Hampers- both collapsable and drawstring were mentioned.

21. Small backpacks- they sling over one shoulder, not both.

22. Plastic cereal bowls (4 packs)- for breakfast in your room (Wal-mart has these too for the spring/summer season, and they are $0.88).

23. Travel games

24. Batteries

25. Disney toys- window clings, kites, paddle and ball, Polly-pocket type things, etc... Also Pooh or Lion King travel checkers, and Pooh and Friends collectable figurines.

26. Water bottles w/ carry strap- they also have water bottle holders in a couple of styles, neoprene being one of them.

27. Night lights- they have some really nice/cute ones too! Dollar Tree has ones featuring Mickey, Minnie, and Mickey and Minnie together and Disney Princess ones!

28. Foot powder- they actually have pretty any type of personal care items from shampoo to shaving cream to "feminine hygiene" and everythig inbetween.

29. Hair ties/ headbands, etc...- they have ton's of really cute hair things, especially for kids.

30. DVD's

31. Containers for toiletries- lots of possibilities from the in shower kind to something to set on the sink, even a mesh one that attaches to the shower curtain to stay out of the way (and out of reach of little hands ).

32. Disney Key-chains

33. Mickey and Minnie suckers

34. Clorox disinfecting wipes- again, for those of you who clean the bathrooms when you get there.

35. Sunglasses

36. Air pumps- very small ones located by the inflatable pool toys.

37. Playing cards- regular size and mini, as well ad Go Fish, Old Maid, etc...

38. Small keychain flashlights- a great alternative to the glo-sticks which may/may not work they are los great for finding dropped items in dark places.

39. Disposable Diaper bags (100 ct)- the box is small and they are great for putting stinky diapers in until you can get rid of them.

40. Lap tables- the beany kind with the hard top, even had crayon storage and page clips.

41. Window Shades- the suction cup kind. Everyone get's caught in the sun some time!

42. Cute plastic bibs- Candy themes like Sugar Daddies, Junior Mints and Blow-pops- they also have a pocket. They have entire walls of baby stuff, you're bound to find something that you need from clothes and diapers to bottles and bibs, and everything inbetween!

43. Suction hooks- for wet bathing suits, bath poofs, etc...

44. Sunblock- you can usually find name brands, just check for an exp. date- they have often have sunburn treatments too.

45. Palmolive dish wipes- for cleaning the refillable mugs! Also great for sippy cups and water bottles.

46. Padlocks- Three in a pack, perfect for suitcases!

47. Bungee cords- Great for strollers at the airport or even the buses at the end of the night

48. Shower curtains- Use as a room divider!

I decided not to list some of the more obvious things like hand sanitizer, snacks, bug bit creams, etc... but if you think we should, let's do it! Share your great dollar store finds and I'll put them on the list for easy referance.

ETA- If you have trouble finding things at your dollar stores, let me know, I may be able to pick them up and send them to you- of course if you're only getting one thing, it probably wouldn't justify the shipping cost, but if you get a bunch, especially smaller things, you might still come out on top- especially the stroller cover, it couldn't cost more that a dollar or so to send, so you're still saving a lot of money.

What dollar stores had 2 aisles of scrapbooking stuff?? I'm very interested in this as I am just getting into it. Dollar Tree doesn't have much of a selection nor did walmart

 

[XxStaceFacexX]

I am in Long Island.... where are there any Dolar tree stores? We have ind. owned 99 cent stores and they don't have nearly as good stuff as you are mentioning!!!!!

You can go to dollartree.com but there is one in Commack, one in Bayshore, one in Hicksville (or maybe it's Levittown) and a few others. I shop at the one in Commack

 

[XxStaceFacexX]

I am also on Long Island and not sure where to find one. Is Family Dollar part of the same chain? I have never been but it sounds like Dollar Tree has great stuff, better than the generic dollar stores I have been to around here.

Everything at dollar tree is a dollar where at family dollar items are more expensive

 

[In Luv with Disney]

I am in Long Island.... where are there any Dolar tree stores? We have ind. owned 99 cent stores and they don't have nearly as good stuff as you are mentioning!!!!!

Where are you in Long Island?? There is one right behind Roosevelt Field, if you are familiar with Westbury/Carle Place!!!