Prepping Supplies for 99 Cents

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I hadn’t gone to a dollar store in a while, but on my search for bargains, I decided to check out a few.  Reviews from frugal sites are mixed:  about half of the frugal bloggers like the savings, but another half question the quality of items.  I wanted to see for myself if there are worthwhile items for preppers.

I went to a 99 Cents Only store, a Dollar Tree, and a Dollar General.  I really liked the 99 Cents Only store that I visited, which included produce and a huge variety of items.  The Dollar Tree also had a decent selection.  I was not crazy about the Dollar General, as they had many items that were more than $1, and were actually more expensive than what I normally find at a grocery store.  Your area stores may vary, so I would recommend visiting and comparing before buying.

I bought these commonly stocked prepping items at the 99 Cents Only store:

  • Baking soda (2 for $.99)
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Hydrogen peroxide (large)
  • Bottled water – 1 gallon
  • Bleach
  • Toothbrushes
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Matches
  • Disposable gloves

They had a large variety of named brand name canned goods.  However I did not purchase them there as I think I can find cheaper prices for certain items like tuna and tomato sauce when they go on sale at the grocery store.   I also did not pick up items like toothpaste unless they are made in the U.S., as a personal preference.   I bought only consumables.  I did not buy any tools, such as can openers or knives, as I would prefer these items to be long lasting and dependable.  I’ve had some success finding good quality items at Goodwill, but that is for another post.

In conclusion, there are good deals to be found at dollar stores for commonly stocked consumable items.   If you make a note of prices as you shop, you will get a good feel for which items are worthwhile.

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25 thoughts on “Prepping Supplies for 99 Cents”

  1. There are many things I purchase at 99 cents only, including buckets and colorful trash cans for container gardening, and shredded carrots for dehydrating ! However, I have noticed that the quantitues in some of the packages renders them MORE expensive than at walMart, for example. I noticed the rubbing alcohol in your picture. I purchased several pints of it at 99 cents only, just to find a quart at Walmart for $1.29.

    There is one deal I got there, however, which tops everything — a box of 24 normal size Quaker Granola Bars with chocolate chips for 99 cents! Expiration 2013. I vacuum sealed the contents of five boxes!!!!

    • Kris, Good to know about the container gardening materials, and the granola bars. Yes, sometimes it turns out to be a bit more expensive size wise so it’s best to comparison shop first. Thanks!

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  3. Oh my gosh . . . I was also just getting ready to list some dollar store items myself :)

    Anyway, one thing I would like to add is that if you are on a budget, there is nothing wrong in purchasing average-quality items from the dollar store. You should purchase the very best you can afford and if all you can afford is a dollar, you should do it. The important thing is to start and to do the best you can.

    Buying things from the dollar store – and I do so myself – simply makes good sense.

    – Gaye

    • Gaye, That is true, having something is better than not at all. I may have to make another list for my next visit :)

  4. My favorite items at the Dollar Stores, are the canned meats. There are several varieties, and they keep well. They don’t keep as long as the freeze dried types, but are nice smaller items that can be rotated. A good example is the small cans of chunked ham. They work quite well with dried beans, and are small enough and cheap enough, to fit in anyone’s stash.

  5. One of my favorite things to buy at the 99 cent store are reading glasses. These usually cost $5 or so at any other store. I keep a pair of high strength by my sewing machine just for when I need to thread the needle. I have a medium strength for reading. Even the kids eye doctor said using the reading glasses from the 99 cent store is a good idea rather than spending the money getting them prescription glasses.

    • Whatifitstoday, Good tip about the reading glasses, you sure can’t beat that price.

  6. I enjoy going to the dollar stores. There are Dollar Trees and Dollar General stores near me. I prefer Dollar Trees as well. Dollar General has many items for over a dollar and they are more expensive than Wal Mart. The Dollar Tree has so many items for a dollar I always find something useful.
    The Dollar Tree offers the Sunday papers for a dollar. This is great because the coupon savings far exceed the price. Dollar stores can be useful for building 72 hour kits which would come in handy for emergencies. You can purchase anything from food to shelter to first aid.

    • Hi Ron G, I’ll have to check if our Dollar Tree sells the Sunday paper for $1, as that is a good deal. Thanks!

  7. I love the dollar stores, however I do find quality an issue sometimes. I bought a can opener there, it bent during the first use.
    As for rubbing alcohol, for wounds I guess fifty percent concentration is fine but for fuel (emergency cat can stove) a higher percentage will burn for longer while the fifty percent barely lights up. I know, that’s not really an issue when buying rubbing alcohol, but if one multipurposes, it might be.

    • Hi Chris, I like their consumables but leery about quality on tools for the exact reason you found out-quality could be an issue. Good point about 50% rubbing alcohol being too low for fuel purposes. I will keep that in mind.

  8. Excellent suggestion, Apartment Prepper! I haven’t gone to a 99-cent outlet in a very long time, in part because it never comes to mind and I frankly don’t know any near me. I should go sometime. Of the items you listed, these are the ones I would definitely stock up on:

    - rubbing alcohol: disinfectant as well as an outstanding multi-purpose cleaner. I often use it on my bathroom mirror. If you have a glass desk in your personal office, I HIGHLY recommend rubbing alcohol.
    - hydrogen peroxide
    - bottled water: it’s water, nuff said
    - toothbrushes: in a SHTF scenario I can imagine people bartering for these
    - hand sanitizer: I actually prefer disinfectant wipes, but these do the job as well.
    - matches: nuff said. Prepper, what I often do now is, when I go to a restaurant or an Irish pub or what not, if they have large quantities of matchbooks at the front door, I grab several (discreetly). I don’t get two fistfuls or what not, but I get a few and just dump them in a kitchen drawer. The only drawback is that in an effort to be frugal I rarely eat out now… LOL. but when I do go out to such places, I always help myself to matches if they’re available.
    - disposable gloves

    • Hey Armed and Prepping, You should check out your 99-cent store, maybe combine it with another errand to save on gas. I keep forgetting about free matches and restaurants, so few of them give them out now, but some still do. Good idea!

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  13. I have also found on occasion good deals on simple fishing gear (line, hooks, bobbers, etc). I always try to keep some of this sort of stuff in my bugout bag, my car, my house, and at my safe place. being able to supplement your stores with fresh caught food will increase your chances when the SHTF.

    • Hi Sean, Good idea, that is one area I am not so familiar with-fishing, but I would like to take it up. I will check the 99 store for these items next time I’m there. Thanks for the comment.

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  16. i’ve shopped these stores often with good luck, but band-aids often have problems with sticking. on alcohol, be sure and check the %, some are very dilute and therefore are more expensive. as with anything, we need to be educated shoppers.

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