Dollar stores are just about everywhere — national chains like Dollar Tree, Dollar General, and Family Dollar, and all kinds of independents like Ollie’s Bargain Barn and 99 Cents Only, too. What do they hold in common? The promise of good stuff, cheap!

Thanks to inflation, few things are dollars stores cost only a buck, but even at $1.25, $2 or sometimes even $3, bargains are galore.

At least a couple of times a week, someone will ask me what I miss most about living in Southern California. Because we lived there many years before pulling up roots and relocating to Colorado, you might assume it would be a long list.

But my usual response is “Not much!” and not just to get a laugh. Truth be told, I can only think of three things: Adult kids, good pizza, and my beloved 99 Cents Only Store — the best “dollar” store ever.

The company’s 378 stores derive close to 80% of their sales of $2.9 billion from categories such as fresh produce, non perishable grocery items, and consumables that overlap with those of traditional grocers and discounters.

As for missing great pizza, admittedly, I have not tried every pizza option in our new location, so hope springs eternal. But I cannot find even the hint of a plan to expand 99 Cents Only Stores to Colorado, and that’s a cryin’ shame.

Good thing there are other brands of dollar stores nearby while I wait for 99 Cents Only Stores — my personal gold standard for good stuff cheap — to get smart and open a store in my neighborhood.

Here’s why I love dollar stores in general: It’s easy to match quality with need when what I need does not require much. Let me show you what I mean about need vs. quality with this quick list of things you’d be wise to buy at a dollar store — plus a few to avoid.

Greeting cards

Don’t expect Hallmark’s complete line to show up at the dollar store. But you can expect first-quality greeting cards for just about every occasion. This is my go-to source for greeting cards that I know will be opened, enjoyed for the moment, and tossed. Nothing wrong with that, but I sure don’t want to spend $3.99 or more for a disposable card when I can get it for a buck!

Gift Bags, gift wrap

A dollar store is the best place to buy gift bags and wraps for a fraction of the cost of traditional stores. And why not? The gift bags and all that gift wrap will end up in the trash in just the time it takes to rip open the gift. So who needs super, high-end quality for disposable gift wrap?

Dollar store quality is plenty good and cheap to boot. Gift bags, filler, and wrapping paper are my favorite examples of matching quality with need.

School supplies

Always stop first at the local dollar store for all school supply related items — markers, pens, paper, pads, notebooks, pencils, crayons, and pocket folders. Can’t find everything on your school’s required list? Get what you can then supplement elsewhere as necessary.

When to avoid

If your school’s list of required supplies names a specific brand or type of item, don’t try to sneak in a dollar store inferior version.

Party supplies

Paper plates, cups, disposable tablecloths, plastic cutlery, balloons, and even theater-size boxes of candy –if you need it for a party and don’t need it to last for more than a few hours, the dollar store is the place to find it. You don’t need things destined for the trash to be durable. These supplies include:

Paper plates, napkins, and cups

Champagne flutes

Plastic forks, spoons, and knives

Plastic tablecloths

Paper streamers

Birthday banners

Latex balloons

Mylar balloons

Birthday candles

Glow sticks, bracelets, necklaces, and wands

Noisemakers

Party hats

Table centerpieces

Plastic serving bowls and trays

Plastic serving ware

Wax paper, parchment, foil

These are hard to compare price-wise because the square footage and quality are different at the dollar stores than the boxes in the regular grocery stores. However, they are still cheaper per inch. I also like the pre-cut pop-up foil sheets, which are colossal frustration savers. Just remember: Match quality with the need you intend to fulfill.

Seasonal decor and favors

Do you want to decorate for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day, and any other holidays? Do you love to fill Christmas stockings with trinkets, small gadgets, and other fun stuff? You’ll find everything from packages of spider rings, to glow sticks, streamers, wall and door decor, and on and on — all super cheap — at the dollar store.

Travel toiletries

Travel-sized toiletries aren’t necessarily inexpensive just because they’re smaller. And don’t expect the best selection or cheapest prices at Walmart or even your local pharmacy. But the dollar store? Check it out first and prepare to be amazed.

Pregnancy tests

Hold on. It’s true — most dollar stores sell pregnancy tests for a dollar that would cost upwards of $15 or more in a drugstore. Are they reliable? I suppose they are if they do what they say on the label. And assuming the test kit is sealed and not beyond its expiration date, why not? If you’re worried about a false response, buy a few kits to make sure. At a buck each, you’ll still save a bundle.

When to avoid

You’d be well-advised to avoid any pregnancy test with an expiration date that is nearer than six months.

Double-sided tape

You can get 130 inches of this tape at the dollar store. This is a shorter tape than the 450-inch roll for $4.79 at Staples, but it is still cheaper per inch.

When to avoid

Buy your double-sided tape elsewhere if your intended use will need to stay double-stuck for an extended time.

Beauty and personal care

Get ready to be blown away by all the shampoo, deodorant, shaving cream, soap, body wash, razors, hair accessories, hair care gear, bandages, and personal care items in the typical dollar store. You may not see a lot of name brands–but then again you might, depending on the day.

When to avoid

As for unknown brands, check the ingredients. It may be junk or you just might find similar products but not the same as the more pricey options you’re used to.