6 Dollar Tree Grocery Items That Can Save You Hundreds Annually
When you're trying to save a buck or two on your grocery bill each month, remember that Dollar Tree isn't just for party supplies and gift wrap. The grocery aisle at your local store is easily one of the best budget tools available right now, especially with food costs still skyrocketing.
Dollar Tree carries a surprising range of foods and pantry staples that typically cost a few dollars more at supermarkets and big-box retailers. Shifting even a portion of your weekly essentials list to Dollar Tree can free up meaningful cash every week, month or year.
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Here are a few popular items where you can save big.
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Cinnamon Sugar
This winter spice-meets-sweet treat is a great flavor profile to sprinkle on toast, baked goods and more, especially in the fall. Most spices, such as this Spice Supreme Cinnamon Sugar, cost $1.50 at Dollar Tree. The almost identical product of Walmart’s Great Value Cinnamon Sugar runs $2.24.
If you make your version of cinnamon toast crunch every morning, you’ll probably go through a bottle a month. Here are some annual cost and savings breakdowns.
Annual Cost at Dollar Tree: $18
Annual Cost at Walmart: $26.88
Annual Savings: $8.88
Honey Nut Breakfast Cereal
Brand loyalty on cereal is costing you real money. Dollar Tree sells Honey Nut Toasted Oats (a near-identical version of Honey Nut Cheerios) for just $1.50, while Target sells the name-brand version for $3.49. That's $1.99 in savings per box, which means for a family going through two boxes a week, that's over $200 a year recovered on cereal alone.
Here's how much you’ll pay and save for your favorite breakfast cereal at Dollar Tree vs. Target:
Annual Cost at Dollar Tree: $18
Annual Cost at Walmart: $41.88
Annual Savings: $23.88
Bertolli Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Olive oil prices have taken a beating from tariffs and supply chain issues. The good news is that Dollar Tree carries Bertolli Extra Virgin Olive Oil at just $3.75 a bottle, which is a fraction of what grocery stores charge for the same categories. For example, Walmart sells the same product for $7.52.
If you do a lot of meal prepping and cooking at home, you’ll probably go through a bottle a month. Here is that price breakdown:
Annual Cost at Dollar Tree: $45
Annual Cost at Walmart: $90.24
Annual Savings: $45.24
Texas Pete Original Hot Sauce
Variety may be the spice of life, or, you know, actual hot sauce. Adding heat to every meal could mean you go through a bottle or two a month. At Walmart, the spicy staple of Texas Pete Original Hot Sauce will cost you $9.65 for a 12-ounce bottle ($0.80 per ounce), or spend $1.50 at Dollar Tree for a 6-ounce bottle ($0.25 per ounce).
Here are price estimates if you buy one bottle a month:
Annual Cost at Dollar Tree: $18
Annual Cost at Walmart: $115.80
Annual Savings: $97.80
Pillsbury Cake Mix
The Pillsbury Yellow Cake Mix is a classic that costs $1.69 at Target for a 15.25 oz box, but only $1.50 at Dollar Tree. This staple cake mix is good to keep on hand for last-minute baking projects and comes in a variety of flavors like yellow and chocolate. Assuming you buy a box of mix once a month, here’s how much you would spend and save:
Annual cost at Dollar Tree: $20.28
Annual cost at Target: $18
Annual savings: $2.28
Kraft Jet Puffed Marshmallow Creme
At Dollar Tree, a 7-oz jar of the delectable Kraft Jet Puffed Marshmallow Creme goes for $1.50 a fluffy pop. At Target, the same product retails for $2.29. This product makes it much easier to get that marshmallow element for treats without having to worry about using actual marshmallows.
How much of this product one actually uses will vary, but, for this example, say you're going through one jar a month. Here's how much you'll save shopping at Dollar Tree versus at Target.
Annual Cost at Dollar Tree: $18
Annual Cost at Target: $27.48
Annual Savings: $9.48
Nicole Spector contributed to the reporting for this article. Prices and availability are subject to change.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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