Never Buy These 10 Items From an Illinois Dollar Store

Dollar stores are a great place to go to save money on life essentials, but on certain items, great price does not always equal great value.

Best Reasons to Shop at Illinois Dollar Stores

I've always loved hitting up dollar stores for things I need and don't want to spend a lot of money on, especially greeting cards, wrapping paper, candy, and party favors. I also know not all dollar stores are the same, and sometimes you get what you pay for, (and that's not always great).

A Dollar General opened in my small town a little over a year ago, and now I find myself going there at least once a week to pick up items I forgot I needed. I'm always up for trying store brand items before reaching for a name brand, and I've often learned the hard way that sometimes it pays to spend a little bit more.

10 Things to Never Buy at Illinois Dollar Stores

An article from the personal finance website Kiplinger listed 17 of the worst thing to buy at dollar stores, but these 10 are ones I've been personally burned by before at several different dollar stores...

1. Charger Cords or Electrical Products

Unless you plan on using your phone charging cord for a short vacation and then throwing it away, spend a little more for a decent cord that will last you much longer.

 2. Toilet Paper

The package of the dollar store brand toilet paper may say "compare to <insert your favorite brand here> ", but I promise, your fingers and bum will not agree.

3. Liquid Laundry Detergents

I'm pretty loyal to one name brand liquid laundry detergent and will always spend more for its beautiful scent, but I have purchased dollar store fabric softener before, and let's just say this; less money = more water and less soap.

4. Tools

It's a simple fact; cheap tools WILL break (probably in the middle of the job) and you WILL be ticked off.

5. Beauty Products

I never usually use expensive makeup brands, but makeup sold at dollar stores will not last long and you can likely buy a better product at a different store for only a slightly higher price. Also, a lot of dollar stores sell some name brand hair products, but they come in smaller ounces, so you'll get more bang for your bucks buying those products at big box stores. (That being said, go all in on buying makeup sponges, cotton balls, etc. at dollar stores, that is well worth it)

6. Non-Perishable Foods

Don't get me wrong, buying food at dollar stores is not always a bad thing, but you'll want to pay very close attention to the expiration dates...items can sit on dollar store shelves for a VERY long time. (I once bought a box of dollar store brand fruit snacks that were hard and nasty as a rock.)

7. School Supplies

I'm a big fan of buying office supplies at dollar stores but I learned one thing very quick...those pads of paper will be almost the same price at Target or Walmart, but you will you get more for the price than you do at a dollar store.

8. Vitamins and Wellness Products

Store brand medicines may have to go through the same FDA certifications, but wellness products like vitamins do not. Might as well spend the extra money for a product you know will be beneficial.

9. Batteries

Unless you are at a dollar store that sells name brand batteries, don't waste your money. A lot of store brands are carbon-zinc batteries which don't last nearly as long as alkaline batteries.

10. Jewelry

Need some jewelry to wear once with a costume? By all means heads to the dollar store. Want some earrings or a necklace that you can wear repeatedly? Go somewhere else.