Save $100 on Back-to-School Stuff: 5 Dollar Tree Items That Beat Target
The new school year is just around the corner (or has already arrived, jeez), which means it’s time for back-to-school shopping! While you might be tempted to head to Target in order to get everything your little students need in one trip, you can actually save over $100 by heading to Dollar Tree instead.
The discount retailer has everything for your kid's backpack that the red-and-white megastore has, but for a lot less. “Shopping at Dollar Tree during back-to-school season can provide great value and stretch your budget further than buying at other retailers such as Target," said Elisabella Ricca, personal finance and consumer analyst at TopCashback.
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Here, Ricca breaks down how you can save big money this school year by shopping at Dollar Tree instead of Target.
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Pens
Even with all the devices students use today, it’s still important to have a trusty pen to write by hand. In fact, you can use one to make your shopping list at Dollar Tree instead of Target in order to ink out the best savings.
“Dollar Tree offers great value with this 10-count of black ballpoint clicker pens for $1.25,” noted Ricca. “By comparison, at Target, an 8-count of similar ballpoint pens is $4.89. That’s a savings of $3.64 per package, and can add up if you’re buying multiple packs.”
Binders
How will students be able to keep track of worksheets, notes, and assignments this school year? By heading to Dollar Tree -- not Target -- for some binders.
“A 1.5-inch binder at Dollar Tree is $1.25 and comes in four different colors,” highlighted Ricca, adding that a comparable binder at Target is on sale for $4.99. “This is a savings of $3.74 per binder. Since many students need a separate binder for each subject, someone buying six could save over $22.”
Pocket Calculator
Want to add up the savings you’ll get from shopping for back-to-school at Dollar Tree over Target? To do that, you’ll need a calculator that fits in your pocket.
Ricca pointed out that “Dollar Tree offers a pocket calculator for $1.25 in four different colors. …Target sells a similar colorful pocket calculator for $9.99. That’s a savings of over $8.”
Backpacks
School without a backpack is like Dollar Tree without the savings. You need to skip Target and head to your favorite discount retailer to get the in-demand backpacks your pupils-to-be are craving.
“This Disney Princess backpack is $34.99 at Target,” Ricca commented. “Meanwhile, you can snag a Disney backpack for $5 at Dollar Tree. That’s a savings of nearly $30, and can provide a nice value for kids who like to change out their backpack each school year.”
Lunch Bags
And to go with the backpacks, you need another important bag: the one with the food! Dollar Tree has the designs kids want at prices that eat Target’s for lunch.
Ricca found a “Disney character lunch bag is $5 from Dollar Tree. They offer popular characters like Bluey, Avengers, and Minnie Mouse”
“Target sells a Spider-Man lunch bag for $19.99 or a Minnie Mouse one for $21.99,” commented Ricca. “This allows parents to save roughly $15 to $17 on lunch bags.”
Editor’s note: 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.