Prepping Items You Can Buy From The Dollar Tree
Today, it’s all about the prepping items you can buy from The Dollar Tree. Fortunately, Dollar Tree or your local Dollar store has a large number of items that every prepper needs to consider buying as they build up their prepping inventory.
We’ll all face some challenging times, no matter where we live. Whether it’s to replace expired or depleted inventory, or to beef up our supply of survival items, Dollar stores are a great option to buy things at a discount. They are particularly good sources of personal hygiene items like deodorant, toothbrushes and toothpaste, shampoo, and hand soap.
You can also find things to replenish your first aid supplies, plastic utensils, and some of the best items needed for that bug-out bag.
Check out these prepping items you can buy from the Dollar Tree.
Shop at the Dollar Tree for Prepping Items
Not only do they have a great selection of medicines and pain relief, but also items that you can use for your family’s shelter. Not bad, considering it will only cost you a dollar for many items. Check out our list of prepping items that you will find the next time you head into the Dollar Tree.
Pain Medication
Please read this article about Dollar Tree before buying medications or cosmetics. FDA Warns About Violations
Having pain medication is probably one of the most important items to have that’s on our list. Say you have a sprained ankle, a throbbing toothache, or an obnoxious headache that won’t go away.
Without it, you’ll have to suffer through the pain. Dollar Tree has several different kinds for you to choose from. Make sure you stockpile amounts you can use since waste often accompanies bulk purchases. You can also use these items to barter with to get something else your family desperately needs.
Generic Medicine
The Dollar Tree also has a handful of other medicines you will most certainly need.
Allergy medicine, antibiotic ointments for cuts and scrapes, cold and cough medicine, as well as stomach relief medicines, can be purchased for a dollar each.
Again, doctors and medicine are going to be impossible to come by in a significant emergency or survival situation. Having a large inventory to be able to barter with might prove priceless.
Bandages
You can also find all kinds of bandages and bandaids, including elastic bandages and medical tape, that can help slow any blood flow and cover those cuts and scrapes.
First-Aid Kits
While these first-aid kits that the Dollar Tree has are not extensive in providing all the essentials, they do have various bandages and moist wipes to help clean any wounds. Sorry, you’ll have to get your complete first-aid kit elsewhere.
Toothpaste and Toothbrushes
Are you like me and love to have clean teeth? Rita reminded me to add these, thank you, Rita! Here’s the deal, I have a few bags full of items ready for those who may need to move in with me after evacuating their homes for whatever reason. I bet you can picture how happy those people would be if we handed them a bag with a new toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, razor, hand sanitizer, and a brush, or comb.
Toilet Paper and Paper Towels
You can never have too many rolls of paper towels or toilet paper, right? Thanks to Monica for the reminder that the Dollar Tree sells these as well.
Other Paper Products
Debbie reminded me about paper plates, cups, foil, foil trays, and silverware or plastic utensils. We can use all of these to stock up for emergencies.
Hand Sanitizer
At the Dollar Tree, you will find an 8-ounce size hand sanitizer and soap for a dollar to help keep germs and bacteria under control.
Flashlights
We aren’t going to lie, these flashlights are cheap and won’t light your path as well as a good flashlight might. But they’re inexpensive enough that you can buy several of them to hold your family over during most emergencies.
This is another item that you could use to barter with. There’s sure to be more than one family that’s left in the dark.
Emergency Candles
You can even purchase emergency candles there that are supposed to last for up to 80 hours. Make sure that you get the biggest ones you can find. Candles might not be your first choice of light after a crisis, but they will most certainly come in handy.
I saw a bunch of candles at the Dollar Tree near me. I’m not fond of candles, but I also have a lot of solar lanterns and lights. We must have light so whatever works, do it. For these candles, you’ll also need matches or lighters to get them started.
Glowsticks
A handful of glow sticks are not only good for lighting up the night, but they’ll also keep your children’s attention for a long time. And trust us, your children will already be wanting access to any electronics or video games.
They only have one childhood, and we need to help make the best of it through the worst of circumstances. They need to have some normalcy in their lives.
Cleaning Supplies
You can never have too many cleaning supplies, right? I realize I’m a cleaning freak in some ways, but after a disaster, I have to be prepared with a lot of cleaning supplies.
Here’s the deal, if we are living in filth after a disaster we are more apt to get sick with more diseases than we have seen in the US in many years. So, we must be prepared to clean everything, everywhere.
Now, this could be bathroom floors that have overflowed, sewer lines that have backed up in the bathtub, shower, kitchen sink, bathroom sinks, and toilets. I’ve lived through a few floods, I know what can happen and it’s not pretty or clean.
Bleach
Having fresh clean drinking water will be harder to come by after a crisis. You can use bleach not only for cleaning but also for purifying your drinking water. You need 1/4 teaspoon of bleach per gallon of water to store it or to use for drinking. To be safe I would then boil the water for cooking or drinking, if possible. This bleach needs to be the kind without scents to be safe for potable use.
Please let the water sit for at least 30 minutes to be safe. I prefer using a Water Preserver for water storage because it lasts 5 years before it needs to be rotated.
So in other words, you want to make sure you stock up a huge supply of it to make sure your family doesn’t get sick from any contaminated water. I mainly stock bleach (the maximum I can use in 9-12 months) for sewage cleanup or any other major bacteria treatment.
Batteries
These batteries were a little hit and miss today when I stopped at the Dollar Tree near me. They didn’t have a lot of sizes, but the price was right for the ones they did have. Remember, you can always check back next time for the sizes you need.
Trash Bags
Trash bags have many purposes besides throwing out your garbage. They can be used as rain ponchos, cover for your family’s shelter, and also help with throwing out human waste.
Putting a trash bag over a large bucket while using the facility will be much better than relieving yourself over a hole in the ground.
Disposable Gloves
How do you plan on changing out that trash bag that’s serving as a toilet? You certainly don’t want to deal with messy jobs without disposable latex gloves. You’re going to need a reasonable supply of them to get you through most emergencies.
Baby Wipes
You probably aren’t going to have access to a shower to freshen up. Baby wipes can at least give you a little more comfort that your family’s hygiene isn’t being ignored completely.
Cleaning Supplies
The Dollar Tree has clothes hangers, dusters, and brooms that you can find for a dollar. You can even get laundry detergent and dish detergent for a buck. That’s cheap! You can get almost all of your cleaning supplies here.
Microfiber Towels
Microfiber towels are much better than using paper towels. They work on spills and wiping up messes. Many people use them while working on their automobiles.
Shower Curtains
While showers might not work during natural disasters, shower curtains will be useful. Use them to keep your family out from under the elements.
Tablecloths
In their party section, Dollar Tree has tablecloths that can also serve as a cover for your next camping location, away from the rain.
You can also use it to throw over a dirty area for a place to have your family sit or eat. Try to find the ones that are better quality not paper thin and prone to tear easily.
Nuts and Sunflower Seeds
Stock up on snacks such as sunflower seeds and nuts for a great protein snack.
Canned Meats
While the Dollar Tree doesn’t have the best selection of canned meats, they do have mackerel, tuna, Manwich, and white chicken that provide extra protein for your family. Several of these canned meats will only cost you 50 cents.
The store might also have other things you can snack on, like peanut butter, crackers, and protein bars.
Sports Drinks
Having even the common flu or diarrhea during this time can be extremely dangerous. Your body can become dehydrated and not retain the fluids that you need to survive. Sports drinks have electrolytes that can help you get the minerals that your body needs.
Final Word
Prepping for a disaster is going to cost you, no question about it. But there are numerous items that you will pay only a dollar for at Dollar Tree will not only keep your costs down but also prove vital when a disaster hits.
If you’re a faithful Dollar Tree customer, what other items have you discovered that will be necessary to have during the darkest season of your life? Let me know the prepping items you can buy from the Dollar Tree in a city near you so I can share those ideas with my readers. May God bless this world, Linda
Grab some lighters to go with them candles too. I also buy the teacup one so I can light more areas even though it’s for a shorter time.
They have short rolls of duct tape (10ft) which is more than ample for taping seams of tyvex suits and small repairs.
Rubber kitchen gloves for dealing with the ill, the dead and poo.
They have solar lights too. Great for lining the pathway to the porcelain of happiness for the wife in ice storms.
You can even get creative with twine, mousetraps, marbles and a pot for a 2-3$ trip wire noise alarm. Add a chemlight in the mousetrap and it’s noise and light.
Love that place
Hi Matt, now I need to go back and look for some solar lights. I like the idea of 10-foot rolls of duct tape, I’m heading back there today. Great comment as always, love it! Linda
FYI anything they don’t have in stock you can order online and have delivered to the store.
Hi Matt, what????? Thank you for letting me know. I love this!! Linda
Hi Linda. Great list! May I add my personal favorite toothpaste and toothbrushes:) Could not last one day without those, love clean teeth!
Hi Rita, oh my gosh, me too! Adding it right now. Thank you!! Linda
Two additional items. The Dollar Tree also carries the ultra high temp pasturized milk (whole and low fat) for $1 a box. They also sell 1lb bags of dried black beans (and several others). It’s the cheapest price for dry black beans per lb I’ve found.
Hi Jennifer, I looked for the Gossner’s shelf-stable milk and they didn’t have any this time. I will keep watching for it. I better go back and look for the black beans. Great tip! Linda
I’m 67 and have always lived an extremely rural lifestyle therefore I guess my parents and grandparents were “preppers”. However I have never called myself a prepper just someone who is ready for emergencies, layoffs or other any other of life’s challenges. I wonder how long folks who are preppers figure on stocking up for? Months, years? It dawns on me that I don’t think anyone would have enough room to stock up everything they will need for a life time. There is so much more that will be needed than just groceries and medicine. Clothing in different sizes, transportation, shoes, livestock, etc etc. Clearly I’m at the end of my life and don’t need to worry so much but young people will and how are they going to get to my age ? Just a thought in my head ….
Hi Goldrush Granny, this is a very good comment. You and I were “preppers” before the word came to be. It’s all about how to be prepared for the unexpected. We really do not have enough room to stockpile a lifetime of supplies. All we can do is be ready for what comes our way. Linda
Goldrush Granny~
I also have never considered my stock of food, medicine, clothing, etc., to be prepping and have not called myself a prepper. I always just considered all of this as insurance against the lean times, the unexpected. Before I retired almost 5 years ago, I stocked up on things like shampoo, soap, dish cleaner (not dishwasher) and cleaning supplies. I also made sure I had plenty of clothing in good condition, craft materials, etc. I was not sure at all how retirement would go except knowing I would not have nearly as much money as I did while working. (My health issues precluded me from working past the age of 62).
Hi Leanne, I’m with you on your plan, I did the same thing. Linda
Linda ~
In the last 5 years, I am still not out of shampoo, conditioner, soap and toothpaste!
Hi Leanne, I love hearing this! We are so much alike!!!! Linda
Good morning, Linda. I always find something helpful in your posts. Thank you for doing this! I am an elementary school teacher with 42 years in the classroom. I shop Dollar Tree for stickers and trinkets and small toys as rewards and/or gifts for my students. For families with young children, Dollar Tree can provide hours of tech-free fun during a power out situation. There are also simple children’s books for independent readers or as a read aloud. Parents and grandparents: Don’t neglect the children. If they’re happily busy, your tasks will be a bit easier.
Hi Deborah, oh how I love this comment!! I love the statement “hours of tech-free fun”!!!! Love this!! Linda
Hello, thank you Linda for The time you spend writing this wonderful information and knowledge that you have. I also wanted to add toilet paper and paper towels.
Hi Monica, great tip! I’m going to go add these, thank you! Linda
The Dollar Tree is GREAT for between my SS/Pension checks for TP and paper towels. Although, I am nearly done using paper towels now. I found several T-shirts that I had intended to make a quilt from the fronts. Finally, I cut the fronts off and salvaged the rest of the t-shirts to cut into rags. I used my serger on these pieces and use them in place of paper towels. Once used, I just toss them into the laundry with my towels.
Hi Leanne, I was going to compare the price of the toilet paper to what I buy at Costco. I rarely buy paper towels anymore. Great tip! Linda
Dollar tree has smaller amounts of paper plates, cups, and of coarse plastic ware plus disposible pans and alluminum foil it isn’t large amounts but it does help to stock up on them !! Saves on time to get to the big box stores a little is better than none right. Love your ideas andthoughts Linda keep it up.
Hi Debbie, you are so nice! It’s people like you who keep me going. I’m going to go add these to the post. There were so many things at the Dollar Tree, I was afraid I’d get in trouble taking pictures. I wasn’t sure. A Walmart clerk told me once I wasn’t supposed to photograph anything in the store. I was trying to show my readers the empty water bottle shelves. Thanks again, Linda
Some have food items that are a better deal like boxes of rice, spices, cooking spray, etc. You do have to be a careful shopper in these areas.
Hi Estina, I have a friend that only buys her spices at the dollar stores. I better look at cooking spray, great comment, thanks! Linda
Linda,
For some items, Walmart is just as cheap if not cheaper than Dollar Tree. I get a 6 pack of
toothbrushes for $1.00 and I can get Aim toothpaste for under $1.00. I stock up on these items
when I can. Another place to try is Garage Sales. You can get slightly used candles or not even used
candles for 50 cents to a dollar. Same way with books and games too.
One thing I have trouble with are baby wipes at Dollar Tree is they are to thin. I use them and end up with my fingers going through them. Not a great buy.
Hi June, that’s good to know about the baby wipes. I like to use coupons and get toothbrushes and toothpaste for 50 cents!! You are so right we need to make sure any dollar store is really cheaper. Linda
Wow, you’re Dollar Tree had some selection. I have three of them that I can go to and it’s worth visiting more than one and they do run out of things rather fast, but eventually restock.
My brother and I have purchased a few of their USB cables and the USB extenders. They work just as well as the ones provided with electronic devices. They also have some good pens like Sharpies and the notepads are a bargain compared to other stores.
I even found that book you like by Ted Koppel, a cheaper copy of The Square Foot Gardening Method and one on cooking quinoa. And I buy hand soap, shampoo and antibacterial gel.
Anytime we can buy a snack, frozen dinners, medicated lip balm or other basic items, we save money and make it go further. They do sell some cheap stuff, but some of it is the same stuff you pay more for at other stores.
Hi Frank, you found those books!!! Oh my gosh, that is awesome! It’s crazy how cheap we can find stuff there!!! Linda
Coffee Filters. Whether or not you find a way to drink (or even have) coffee, there are a million uses for coffee filters. – Sprout seeds, filter water, wipe surfaces, emergency bathroom tissue, etc. And the best part (for most uses) they can be rinsed and hung on the line for future uses. I don’t drink coffee, just Tea. After purchasing boxes of Green Tea (100 ct) I found TeVive Blueberry Honey Tea and Chamomile (HEAVEN) and the count is smaller, but they are Gourmet Teas – comfort moments. Oh, and the Pink Sea Salt and Coconut Oil (many uses) was like striking GOLD. One can’t find them everywhere, but if/when you do – grab them. Then research on their uses. Amazing.
Hi Elaine, oh, I LOVE hearing about these good finds from the dollar stores. Woohoo!! Linda
Just read this post – I had to laugh, though! There are 2 “dollar” stores in the town I live in!! I search high and low to find anything that is only $1.00!!! In fact, a lot of what is on this list of items run closer to $5.00.
I sure am happy that I stocked up BEFORE the prices went sky high.
Hi Leanne, this is so funny to hear! I heard things went up to $1.25 but now it’s $2.00??? LOL! We have a family dollar store here everything is $5.00. I guess they had to raise their prices as well. Linda
Just as a reminder, at least in our area, Dollar Tree items now cost $1.25 each.
If you like name brand things, the batteries at Dollar Tree are not the best. I prefer to buy either Duracell or Energizer because of better quality. I also like getting larger packages of things like the over-the-counter meds. It all depends on how many people you are prepping for.
Hi Carol, yes, I had heard the prices went up to $1.25, thank you. I like better batteries as well especially for the long haul. Linda
Our local Dollar Tree has several varieties of shelf stable milk. We are quite rural and keep several on hand in case of being unable to get to town due to unsafe travel conditions or road closures. This has helped us out on several occasions.
Hi Leanne, I have heard about the shelf stable milk being available at dollar stores, it’s a good find when you see them. Thank you, Linda