Snacks
If you’re looking to save money on your favorite snacks, those Dollar Tree bags aren’t as much of a bargain as you might think they are. Take Cheez-It crackers, for example: while a 3-oz. bag is $1 at Dollar Tree, Costco sells a 3-lb. bag for around $9. That means that nine of those $1 3-oz. bags would only amount to around 1.7 lbs. of crackers. Meanwhile, you’re getting 1.3 lbs. more at good ol’ Costco for the same price. Goldfish are another cheesy snack you’ll save money on. Dollar Tree sells 2-oz. boxes for $1 while Costco sells 58-oz. boxes for about $11.
Chewing gum
Yes, even chewing gum is cheaper at Costco. At Dollar Tree, Wrigley’s Extra Sugar-Free gum comes in four five-stick packages (20 sticks of gum) for $1. At Costco, the same gum comes in 12 15-stick packages (180 sticks of gum) for $8.29. If you were to buy $8 worth of that at Dollar Tree, you’d still only be getting 160 sticks. Even dollar store employees know it’s usually cheaper to buy in bulk—here are 12 other things dollar store employees won’t tell you.
Certain over-the-counter medications
Certain over-the-counter medications, like acetaminophen, end up costing much less at Costco than at the dollar store when purchased in bulk. If we crunch the numbers and consider the quantity counts, three packets of 500 mg Tylenol costs $1 at Dollar Tree while Costco offers 50 packets of the same 500 mg Tylenol for $13.49. That makes Costco’s price per package just 27¢ for the same brand and quality. Advil is another brand you’ll save money on: six tablets sell for one dollar at Dollar Tree while 100 tablets sell for $11 at Costco.
Moisturizing lotion
If you buy 15 travel-sized bottles of Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion at Dollar Tree at $1 each, you’ll spend $15 for 15 oz. of lotion. On the other hand, Costco offers a two-pack of 20-oz. Aveeno bottles for $15.49. That’s a total of 40 oz. of lotion for the same exact brand and quality but at a lower price.
Fabric softener
While you can pick up a ten-ounce container of Downy Fabric Protect HE Fabric Softener at Dollar Tree for just $1, Costco has the better deal of $14.49 for a 170-oz. container of the same softener. In turn, you’re saving about $2.51 by opting for the larger container. By the way, here’s what you should always buy from Costco.
Cereal
Look no further than Costco’s grocery aisles for the best deal on your favorite cereal. While Dollar Tree charges one dollar for a 3.5-oz. pouch of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, Costco members can get 49.5 oz. (a two-pack of 24.75-oz. boxes) of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal for $7.99. While we’re talking about deals on food, here’s what you should be buying at Costco if you plan on hosting a party.
Paper towels
One 40-sheet roll of Bounty paper towels costs $1 at Dollar Tree, while a package of 12 110-sheet rolls of Bounty paper towels costs $23.99 at Costco. With that in mind, if you buy 24 rolls of Dollar Tree’s 40-sheet paper towels, you’ll be spending the same amount you would at Costco for 360 fewer sheets.
Clothes hangers
Major deals are in the works at Costco when it comes to buying clothes hangers. Dollar Tree sells felt-covered hangers in packs of two for $1, but Costco’s velvet textured hangers come in packs of 100 for only $26. Not to mention, buying 26 two-packs of hangers from the dollar store would cost you $26–the same amount for 100 at Costco–and you’d only end up with 52 hangers.
Sponges
One dollar for a sponge at Dollar Tree sounds like a good deal until you hit the aisles at Costco. In contrast, Costco sells the same Scotch-Brite Heavy Duty sponges in packages of 21 for $13.99. We’ll do the math: each individual sponge sells for a mere 67¢ at Costco.
Household cleaners
Some household cleaners, like Comet disinfectant cleaner, can be found at a significantly cheaper price at Costco than the dollar store. At Dollar Tree, a 25-oz. container of Comet is $1. In contrast, Costco sells six 28-ounce containers for $6.29. That’s 168 oz. of Comet at Costco, which is 18 more ounces than if you bought six containers at Dollar Tree. While you’re shopping, make sure you keep these Costco shopping tips in mind to save you even more money.
Diapers
If you’re buying for the little ones, a pack of three Huggies Snug & Dry Diapers (size four) goes for $1 at Dollar Tree. At Costco, a box of 180 Huggies Plus Diapers (size four) goes for $46. When comparing the two, if you buy 46 packets of diapers from Dollar Tree, you spend $46 for 138 diapers. For the same price, you get 42 more Huggies diapers at Costco. Here are some other insider secrets from Costco employees.
Scotch tape
At Dollar Tree, $1 will buy you a pack of two 250-inches long Scotch Transparent Tapes, for a total of 500 inches of tape. On the other hand, $12.99 at Costco will buy you a pack of six Scotch Magic Tape/Gift Wrap Tape, each measuring 1,100 inches long: a total of 6,600 inches of tape. While you’re only saving about 20¢, Costco still has the better deal. Speaking of better deals, don’t miss out on these 5 secret shopping perks only Costco members know about.
Adhesive bandages
Ten Curad Plastic Adhesive Bandages for $1 at Dollar Tree sounds like a good deal until you head to Costco where you get 480 for $9.29. Curad Plastic Adhesive Bandages at Costco come in a six-pack of 80 bandages each while Curad Extra-Large Plastic Bandages at Dollar Tree come in single boxes of ten bandages. In order to get 480 bandages at Dollar Tree, you’d have to spend $48. Here are some other things you should never, ever buy at the dollar store.
The post 13 Dollar Store Items That Are Cheaper at Costco appeared first on Taste of Home.
Brittany Gibson