Drugstores like CVS and Walgreens got one big thing right: convenience. I live about two miles from my nearest grocery store and three miles from Walmart; however, there’s a CVS right across the street from my neighborhood.
While it’s tempting to dash across the street to cross a few items off my list, it’s not worth the extra cost! Here’s a list of high-priced products to avoid purchasing at drugstores, plus a few examples so you can see the difference with a few suggestions on where to find these items cheaper.
Over-the-counter medications are often more expensive at drugstores. (The irony!) You can usually find various medicine cabinet items cheaper at big box retailers and dollar stores.
Read more: GoodRx vs. LowestMed: Which app saves you the most money on prescription drugs?
Similar to medicines, vitamin prices skyrocket at drugstores. You can save more than $3 by shopping around!
Read more: Report: These 3 vitamin supplements are worth the money
Makeup can be really expensive, and drugstores typically charge more for beauty products. Many brands like Target and Walmart now offer beauty boxes so you can save on the makeup you love.
I use a lot of shampoo, so I can’t afford to pay more money for the same product. Bulk shopping at warehouse clubs is a lifesaver for household basics.
Down to your last roll? Don’t restock at a drugstore! Sarah, from ClarkDeals.com, found a great deal on toilet paper at Dollar General (expires July 22).
Read more: High quality toilet paper comes cheap
Cleaners and detergents add up fast, so save a few bucks and head to your local dollar store instead.
Read more: Best laundry detergent for your money
Need to grab a few snacks before a long road trip? Try shopping at the dollar store. The store carries name brand nuts and crackers that will save you money.
You can find great deals on baby items online. Programs like Amazon Mom offers Prime members a 20% discount on diapers, along with other offers and deals.
To be clear, you can find deals at drugstores and prices can vary at individual locations. The key to saving money on everyday items is comparison shopping. I reviewed products and prices online at each store yesterday. While it’s just one product out of countless others, this snapshot captures the dramatic price differences you might find on the exact same item.
Money expert Clark Howard recommends shopping at a dollar store instead of a drugstore. Although the hours aren’t as convenient, the prices are tough to beat.
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