Dollar Store Preps: Useful Preps Found for One Dollar or Less

Dollar Store preps can be found at any of the “dollar” stores around that offer a wide variety of household goods, health and beauty items, and even hardware for the measly cost of one dollar or less. Yes, “less” because if you are shopping at the .99 Cent Store, you’ll save a penny.

So many people say they can’t prep because of the cost, but with a little conservative shopping, price checking, coupons, and buying sales items, combined with dollar store preps everyone can prep.

Dollar Store Preps: Dollar Tree or .99 Cent Store

Most people poo-poo Dollar Tree or .99 Cent Store items, but I’ve found that for creating a first aid kit, stocking up on medical and health care items, that I can’t beat the price. I also discovered that the brand of sensitive tooth paste available at DT actually works better than the expensive Colgate or Aqua Fresh sensitive toothpastes.

Check out these other deals:

Personal Care Bar soap Body wash Deodorants Shaving cream Disposable razors Shampoo Hand sanitizer Toothpaste Toothbrushes (multipacks) Floss (multiple prep uses) Petroleum jelly Sun block Skin care lotions and moisturizers Combs (multipacks) Brushes Medical Athlete’s foot cream Medicated body and foot powder Pain-relieving patches Knee support Epsom salts Advil, Aleve, Ibuprofen Aspirin, acetaminophen Laxative Anti-diarrheal Antacids Milk of magnesia Sleep aids Digital thermometers Analgesic gel Cold packs Anti-itch cream Cough relief Electrolyte drink Sinus pain and congestion relief Cold and allergy relief Day and night-time multi-symptom Chest rub Vitamin C supplements Anti-storing nasal strips Facial tissues Vitamins and supplements First Aid Bandage strips Gauze pads Bandage tape Dressing bandages Elastic bandages Triple antibiotic cream Hydrocortisone cream A&D Cream Hydrogen peroxide Antibacterial wipes Rubbing alcohol Feminine Tampons Maxi pads Panty liners Warm jelly Bladder control liners Pregnancy tests Ovulation predictors

Bug Out Items Travel mugs Digital electronic kitchen timer Corkscrew/bottle opener Stainless steel utensils Cheesecloth Can opener Jute twine Gloves Lighters/matches Flashlight Duct tape Plastic drop cloths Filter breathing masks Steel wire (snares) Utility knife Carabiner clips Safety eye goggles Batteries Rope Twine Cable ties Superglue Plastic rain ponchos Knit caps Safety pins Sewing kit Bug Out Bag Food Salted peanuts, multi-pack Trail mix Dried fruit Raisins, multi-pack Fruit roll-ups Granola bars Cheese sandwich crackers Beef jerky Beef sticks Drink mix singles Taster’s Choice coffee singles Misc. Dollar Store Preps Wooden clothespins Clothesline Scissors Round glass marbles (slingshot ammo) Paper & writing supplies Pens, pencils and markers Cleaning supplies Candles Eye Care Murine eye drops Eyeglasses repair kits Sunglasses Reading glasses

Dollar Store Preps: Cautions

Of course, as some will remind you, “you get what you pay for”. While you have a better chance of getting assured quality when you buy name-brands and pay a higher price, if you shop smart you can get some great stuff. However…without a doubt you do run a risk of getting items of questionable quality.

• For instance, watch out for the plastics. I bought a box of kitchen garbage bags, only to discover that over half of them were not sealed at the bottom.
  
  
• Metal tools are often made of substandard metal, which means they can bend or break if used for anything other than their intended use.
  
  
• Clothing items like socks are often very thin with weak hems. For the most part you would be better off shopping at a thrift store for clothing.
  

Use some wisdom when it comes to certain items, especially those for children or pets. Since most of the items are from China, you should avoid buying pet food that’s not name brand and from the US. Likewise little plastic toys and items for feeding infants and children should be avoided as such things from China have had high levels of lead.

Bearing the negatives in mind, you will find that a little goes a long ways when it comes to prepping on a budget.

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