Best dollar store buys

Personal grooming items

Hairbrushes, toothbrushes, toothpaste and deodorant are significantly cheaper at the dollar store. For example, a package of two name-brand toothbrushes at the grocery cost $6.99 versus $1 for the same pack at the dollar store.

Cleaning supplies

The Good Housekeeping Research Institute found that dollar-store brand cleaners work just as well as name-brand cleaners, Woroch says, but they cost about 30% less. However, they tend to be a little more diluted, so you might have to use more to get things clean. Sponges and scrub brushes also are cheaper at the dollar store. I found a two-pack of scrubbing sponges for $1 at the dollar store, but the cheapest I could find at the grocery was one sponge for $1.29. Two items that cost the same at both the dollar store and the grocery: 14-ounce Ajax dish soap and 25-ounce Comet.

Food containers

You can stock up on plastic food containers of all shapes and sizes for just a few bucks at the dollar store. At other stores, you'll pay closer to $3 for a single five- or six-pack of small containers.

Gift wrap and bags

Woroch says that the quality of gift wrap at dollar stores isn't as good as what you'll find at Target or specialty retailer Papyrus. But why pay four times as much -- or more -- for something that will just end up in the trash? Large gift bags also are a steal at dollar stores, considering they're $1 versus $5 and up at the grocery store and Target.

Greeting cards

You can get greeting cards for as little as 50 cents at the dollar store. Woroch says that the cheapest cards at the grocery are 99 cents, and some cards can cost as much as $8.

Holiday items

If you're looking for inexpensive holiday decor, the dollar store is your place. Plus, you can find items such as Easter baskets, trick-or-treat bags and holiday candy for just $1.

Party supplies

You can find packages of paper plates and napkins in a large variety of colors and plastic utensils at the dollar store for about 30% less than party supply stores and at least 50% less than at the grocery store. Streamers, plastic tablecloths and mylar helium balloons also are a good deal at the dollar store.

Picture frames

If you're looking for an inexpensive way to frame photos or artwork (perhaps your kids' drawings), you can find frames in a variety of sizes for just a buck at the dollar store.

Scented candles

Small scented candles don't cost much more at the grocery or big-box retailer than they do at the dollar store. But the big dollar-store candles are a steal for $1 versus the $4 or more you'll have to pay at other retailers.

Shampoo

If you're not loyal to a particular brand, you can save a lot by buying your shampoo at the dollar store. In fact, shampoo is not a you-get-what-you-pay-for product, according to the Good Housekeeping Research Institute, because there's not a lot of difference between low-cost and pricey shampoos.

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