From pasta to paint, Dollar General can help you save more on everyday essentials. Some of the top buys from this dollar store are just as good (if not better) than the pricier versions.
While not every item is exactly one dollar, these must-haves are more than just affordable. So, go ahead and fill your cart with these Dollar General deals.
Dollar General operates nearly 21,000 stores across 48 states, making it one of the most widely available discount retailers in the country.
A big part of the savings comes from Clover Valley, the retailer’s private label line launched in 2009 that now spans roughly 600 items and comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Because Clover Valley products are positioned as alternatives to national brands, shoppers can often find a similar version of a familiar grocery item for less.
Editor’s note: Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location.
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1. Clover Valley Stevia Sweetener
Price: $1.75
Sweeten your coffee, tea, or baked cookies with this sugar substitute. This 35-count box of stevia is an alternative to the real deal.
The popular product can come with a steep price tag at other stores. But, at Dollar General’s under-$2 price point, this zero-calorie pack is one “sweet” bargain.
Stevia is a plant-derived, zero-calorie sweetener originally extracted from the stevia leaf, and it’s often used by people managing their sugar intake or blood sugar levels.
This Clover Valley version is part of Dollar General’s private label food line, which launched in 2009 and now includes roughly 600 items backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
ndividual packets make it easy to portion sweetener into coffee, tea, or a mixing bowl without committing to a full canister, which can help when testing whether a sugar substitute suits your taste before buying in bulk.
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2. Clover Valley Ziti
Price: $1.75
For the price of this pasta, you won’t have to sacrifice quality. The Clover Valley enriched ziti is made from 100% durum semolina.
At Dollar General, you can get almost one pound of uncooked pasta for an outrageously affordable price. If ziti isn’t your favorite pasta, try angel hair, elbow mac, or spaghetti options.
Durum semolina is the same high-protein wheat used by many national pasta brands, which helps the noodles hold their shape and texture when boiled.
Like other items in the Clover Valley line, this ziti is backed by Dollar General’s 100% satisfaction guarantee, so shoppers on the fence about trying a store-brand pasta can return it if it doesn’t meet expectations.
Ziti works well in baked casseroles, cold pasta salads, or as a simple side tossed with butter and parmesan, making it a versatile base for weeknight meals on a budget.
3. Goodcook Measuring Set
Price: $3
You’ll get a one-cup, half-cup, third-cup, and quarter-cup measurer along with tablespoon, teaspoon, half-teaspoon, and quarter-teaspoon size spoons.
Each cup features an easy-pour spout to make food prep a breeze. The BPA-free, dishwasher-safe set nests together and fits onto a snap ring for safe storage.
GoodCook is a well-known national kitchenware brand, and the same 8-piece GoodCook measuring set has been listed for $9.99 at retailers like Fairway Market, more than three times Dollar General’s $3 price for the identical set.
That makes this one of the more direct name-brand matchups on this list, since shoppers are getting the same GoodCook product rather than a store-brand stand-in. The snap ring also means the pieces won’t get separated in a kitchen drawer, and the dishwasher-safe design cuts down on hand-washing after baking projects.
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4. Clover Valley Cheddar Cheese Crackers
Price: $2
The naturally flavored salted cheddar squares are savory snacks that you can add to a party mix bowl or eat as-is.
At this low price, you’ll have money left over to pick up a few boxes of Dollar General’s golden round, vegetable, chicken flavored, or thin wheat crackers.
These squares are made to mimic the crunch and salty-cheddar bite of national-brand cheese crackers, and they carry Dollar General’s 100% satisfaction guarantee like other Clover Valley products, so there’s little risk in giving the store brand a try.
Cheese crackers like these travel well in lunch boxes or diaper bags and can be paired with sliced deli meat, hummus, or fruit for a more filling snack. Buying a few boxes at this price point can also make sense for stocking a pantry ahead of a road trip or an after-school snack rotation.
5. Clover Valley Corn Flakes
Price: $2.75
Does the rising cost of cereal make you want to skip breakfast? Instead of paying for over-priced boxes of brand-name flakes, try this Dollar General bargain buy.
This affordable alternative has nine nutritious vitamins and minerals and is made without artificial flavors or colors. All you’ll get is the delicious taste of crisp toasted corn.
Corn flakes were originally developed in the late 1800s and remain one of the most recognizable cereal styles on grocery shelves, which is part of why so many store brands, including this Clover Valley version, model their recipe on the format.
Along with the nine vitamins and minerals listed on the box, corn flakes are naturally low in fat and can be dressed up with fruit, nuts, or a drizzle of honey. As with other Clover Valley groceries, this cereal is backed by Dollar General’s 100% satisfaction guarantee, so shoppers unsure about switching from a name brand can try it with less risk.
6. Natura Apple Juice
Price: $2.50
Spend less on juice with this from-concentrate apple-packed option. You’ll get two quarts of 100% apple juice with this Dollar General find.
If you’re looking for a way to save on your food and beverage budget, this premium pick has the quality you want at a price that is more than just reasonable.
Apple juice made from concentrate is produced by removing water from pressed apples, then reconstituting it with water before bottling, a process used across both name-brand and store-brand juices to help keep shipping costs down.
A two-quart bottle is enough for several servings for a family, and 100% juice options like this one are often preferred over juice cocktails or drinks with added sugar. This bottle can also be used as a base for homemade popsicles or mixed with sparkling water for a lighter drink.
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7. 321 Party Round Plastic Tablecover
Price: $1.50
Decorate for your next party and protect your tables with this inexpensive 84-inch round cover from Dollar General.
The waterproof material is washable and reusable. There’s a hue to match almost every party theme. Choose from a variety of bright, bold, and pastel colors.
Amscan, one of the most widely distributed party-supply brands, has priced its 84-inch round plastic table covers as high as $14.99 for a pack of six at Walmart, or about $2.50 per cover, compared with $1.50 for this single Dollar General tablecover.
That makes the Dollar General version noticeably cheaper on a per-cover basis for anyone setting up several tables at once.
Beyond birthdays, this size also works for baby showers, backyard barbecues, and holiday gatherings, and because the material wipes clean, it can be folded up and reused for a future event instead of thrown away after one use.
8. Imagine Crayon 24-Pack
Price: $1
This set of non-toxic crayons is perfect for everyday drawing activities, school projects, or other arts and crafts.
With every color your little artist needs to create, these crayons will help your child to make their own mini masterpieces.
Crayola, the best-known name in crayons, sells its own 24-count box for $1.44 at Walmart, more than double Dollar General’s price of two 24-count Imagine boxes for $1. That means a shopper buying the Imagine brand can pick up two full boxes of crayons for less than the cost of one Crayola box at a big-box retailer.
Having a spare box on hand is useful for classroom supply lists, which often ask for an extra set to be kept at school, or for a backup box to leave in a car or bag for restaurant waits and long car rides.
9. Gift Bag
Price: $1
Specialty retailers may sell this type of bag for two, three, or more times the price you’ll find at Dollar General.
This can’t-miss buy is the perfect holder for birthdays, Mother’s Day, or other holiday presents. If the sparkly hot pink hue isn’t your favorite color, choose from other shades and patterns.
American Greetings, one of the largest greeting card and gift-wrap brands, sells its 10-inch medium gift bags for roughly $2.98 to $4.99 at retailers like Walmart, up to five times Dollar General’s $1 price for a comparable bag.
Since gift bags are often used once and then set aside, the savings can add up quickly for anyone who buys several bags a year for birthdays, holidays, and baby showers.
Keeping a small stock of $1 bags in different colors on hand also means never having to make a last-minute stop before a party.
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10. Artskills Crafters Closet Acrylic Paint
Price: $0.80
From your own artistic creations to your child’s projects, this acrylic is easy to apply to various surfaces.
Brush the paint onto paper, stencil it on wood, or try your hand at stamping. Dollar General stores have a rainbow of colors, with lighter hues and darker shades.
Acrylic craft paint like this dries faster than oil-based paint and cleans up with just soap and water, which makes it a popular choice for kids’ projects and quick craft sessions.
Because the paint is water-based, it can be thinned with a little water for a wash effect or layered thickly for more texture and coverage.
At under a dollar per bottle, picking up a handful of colors is an affordable way to stock a craft bin for birthday parties, school projects, or rainy-day activities without worrying about waste if a bottle dries out unused.
11. Wizard Air Freshener
Price: $1
Choose from vanilla lavender, white floral, winter pine forest, tropical citrus, and other freshening scents.
The easy-to-use spray bottle makes this bargain buy a convenient way to cover odd odors and add fragrance to the indoor air.
Glade, one of the top-selling air freshener brands, prices a single 8-ounce spray at $2.38 at Walmart, more than double Dollar General’s $1 price for this Wizard spray. Both are aerosol sprays meant to be used the same way, in short bursts to freshen a room rather than as a continuous diffuser.
Having a couple of scents on hand, such as a floral option for the living room and a citrus option for the kitchen, is an inexpensive way to manage everyday household odors without committing to a pricier plug-in system.
12. Power Stick 3-in-1 Body Wash, Shampoo, Conditioner
Price: $1
Not only will you get more gel in this mega-sized bottle, but this spring fresh scent takes the place of three different bath and grooming item buys.
Instead of buying separate bottles of body wash, shampoo, and conditioner, choose this multi-use Power Stick product.
All-in-one washes like this are popular for travel, camping trips, or gym bags because they cut down on the number of bottles someone has to pack. They’re also a practical option for kids’ bath time, when a single pump can handle hair and body without switching bottles mid-bath.
Because the formula is meant to multitask, it may not lather or condition quite as richly as a dedicated shampoo or conditioner, but for the price, it’s a reasonable trade-off for anyone looking to simplify their bathroom shelf or cut down on bottle clutter.
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13. La’s Totally Awesome Bang Bathroom and Shower Cleaner
Price: $1
This 32-ounce bottle of grime-getting spray takes care of soap scum, hard water buildup, calcium and lime stains, and rust stains.
You can also use Bang to remove dirt and clean grout. With one quart of multi-use cleaning power, you won’t need to buy other products to make your bathroom sparkle.
Multi-surface bathroom sprays like this one are designed to tackle several kinds of buildup with a single product, which can cut down on the number of cleaning bottles stored under a sink.
As with most bathroom cleaners, it’s a good idea to spray in a ventilated space and avoid mixing it with other cleaning chemicals such as bleach-based products.
At $1 for a 32-ounce bottle, this works out to a low cost per ounce compared with many name-brand bathroom sprays, making it an easy product to keep on hand in more than one bathroom.
14. True Living Fresh Cotton Linen Scented Candle
Price: $6
Soothe your senses with these 18-ounce scented candles from Dollar General. Keep your home smelling sweet without going over budget.
This True Living candle jar has a fresh fragrance that will fill your home with warmth. The classic design also adds a decorative accent to your living room, bedroom, or other interior space.
Jar candles in this size typically provide many hours of burn time, though the exact figure depends on wick size and how long each session runs.
Trimming the wick to about a quarter-inch before each use is a simple way to reduce soot and help the scent throw evenly through a room.
This candle’s fresh cotton and linen scent is a popular category alongside vanilla and lavender, and it’s often used to freshen laundry rooms, bedrooms, or bathrooms without an overpowering fragrance.
15. Good ‘n’ Fun Dog Treats
Price: $3.95
Gourmet dog treats aren’t exactly inexpensive. But these rib-flavored goodies are a fraction of what you might pay at a specialty pet store.
Not only are these sticks treats your dog will want to eat, but they also help prevent dental tartar and calcium buildup.
Dental chews like these are generally meant to be given a few times a week rather than daily, since they’re often higher in calories than a dog’s regular kibble. The rib flavor is meant to appeal to dogs that might turn their nose up at plain dental chews, while still providing the chewing action that helps scrape away plaque.
Compared with treats from specialty pet boutiques, which can run considerably higher for a similar package size, this option offers a budget-friendly way to reward a dog between full-size gourmet treats.
16. Gentle Steps Baby Shampoo
Price: $2.75
The tear-free shampoo is hypoallergenic, so it is less likely to sting your little one’s eyes or irritate their sensitive skin.
Comparable brand-name products cost nearly double the price of a similar type of cleansing wash.
Both this Gentle Steps shampoo and Johnson’s Baby Shampoo, one of the most recognized name brands, come in a 13.6-fluid-ounce bottle, which makes for a direct comparison. Johnson’s has sold for around $4.06 for that size on Amazon, compared with $2.75 for the Dollar General version, meaning the name brand runs roughly 48% more for the same amount of product.
Both are marketed as tear-free and hypoallergenic, so parents comparing the two are largely choosing based on scent and brand familiarity rather than a major difference in formula.
Bottom line
There’s no need to splurge on pantry staples, home goods, and items that your kids use daily. The value you’ll find at this dollar store makes it easy to keep more money in your wallet.
Along with these top deals, visit your local Dollar General to find aisles of inexpensive alternatives that will leave money in your bank account.
With roughly 600 items now under the Clover Valley label alone, and more added each year, the range of national-brand alternatives at Dollar General keeps expanding beyond food into household basics, personal care, and party supplies.
Comparing unit prices before checkout, especially on items sold in bulk packs elsewhere, can help shoppers confirm just how much they’re saving compared with grocery or big-box store shelves.
For families managing a tight budget, building a regular Dollar General stop into a shopping routine can add up to meaningful savings over a year of everyday purchases.
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