5 Costco Items That Are Actually Cheaper Per Unit Than Dollar Tree
It’s easy to mistake Dollar Tree as having the lowest prices on staple items. After all, the majority of its items are priced at $1.25 or $1.50. But there’s something to be said for buying in bulk if it’s in your budget.
In fact, when you compare the price per unit between Dollar Tree and Costco, the warehouse club can come out ahead on some items.
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After doing the math, here are some items that pay off to buy at Costco. They’re cheaper by the bag, load, wash or square foot than comparable items at Dollar Tree.
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Kirkland Signature Trash Bags
Price: $22.49
A 200-count box of Kirkland Signature Flex-Tech 13-Gallon Trash Bags is $22.49 or about 11 cents per bag. Dollar Tree sells a 35-count box of Flex Essentials Tall Kitchen Bags for $5, which is 14 cents per bag. If you have storage space, buying the Costco product will save 3 cents per bag.
Kirkland Signature Laundry Detergent
Price: $21.49
A 194-fluid-ounce jug of Kirkland Signature Ultra-Clean Liquid Laundry Detergent washes 146 loads at 15 cents per load. Dollar Tree sells a 55-fluid-ounce jug of Tide Oxi Boost for $10, which washes 39 loads at 26 cents per load.
Liquid laundry detergent should be used within six months of opening for best quality, so the Costco jug makes the most sense for households that do laundry often. If you can use it in time, you’ll save 11 cents per load or about 42%.
Kirkland Signature Stretch-Tite Plastic Food Wrap
Price: $14.99
Plastic food wrap is handy for covering metal and glass bowls and casserole dishes and Costco’s version has notable clinging power, according to customer reviews. Kirkland Signature Stretch-Tite Plastic Food Wrap costs $14.99 for 1,500 square feet, which comes out to about 1 cent per square foot.
Dollar Tree sells Surefresh Plastic Wrap for $1.50 per 36.64-yard roll or about 1.36 cents per square foot. By choosing the Costco food wrap, you’ll save about 26% per square foot.
Kirkland Signature Ultra Shine Dishwasher Pacs
Price: $13.99
Dishwasher pacs are one of the better Costco swaps if you run your dishwasher often. Costco sells a 115-count tub of Kirkland Signature Ultra Shine Dishwasher Pacs for $13.99, which equals 12 cents per pac.
Dollar Tree has a 12-pack of Cascade Platinum Dishwasher Detergent Pods for $5, which is about 42 cents per pod. Kirkland pacs are about 30 cents cheaper per wash or 71% less than the Dollar Tree option.
Kirkland Signature Paper Towels
Price: $23.99
Households that use a lot of paper towels will find that the savings offered at Costco add up over time. Two-ply Kirkland Signature Paper Towels come in a 12-count pack, totaling 1,026 square feet, for $23.99. That comes out to about 2.34 cents per square foot.
Dollar Tree’s two-ply paper towels cost $1.50 for 59.6 square feet or about 2.52 cents per square foot. Costco’s paper towels are about 7% cheaper per square foot.
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Editor’s note: Prices and availability are subject to change.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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