For families looking to stretch their hard-earned dollars, shopping at discount stores can make a huge difference. Whether you’re looking for groceries, household essentials, clothing, or toys, there are plenty of options to help you save big. This guide covers the best discount stores for budget-conscious families, tips for finding great deals, and how to maximize your savings with coupons and special offers.
Top Discount Stores for Families on a Budget
1. Dollar Tree
- Why It’s Great: Everything is $1.25 or less, making it an excellent place to stock up on household items, party supplies, snacks, and cleaning products.
- Savings Tips:
- Use manufacturer coupons on eligible items to get products even cheaper.
- Check their Bonus Buys section for bulk discounts.
- Shop for seasonal decor and greeting cards at a fraction of the price of big-box stores.
2. Aldi
- Why It’s Great: Aldi’s no-frills shopping experience helps cut costs, offering low prices on high-quality groceries. Their private-label brands often rival name brands in taste and quality.
- Savings Tips:
- Bring your own bags and a quarter for the cart deposit.
- Look for Aldi Finds for special limited-time deals.
- Buy in bulk to save on pantry staples like pasta, rice, and canned goods.
3. Walmart
- Why It’s Great: Walmart offers rollback pricing, everyday low prices, and a vast selection of groceries, electronics, clothing, and home essentials.
- Savings Tips:
- Use the Walmart app to find rollbacks and digital coupons.
- Sign up for Walmart+ to get free shipping and member-only discounts.
- Price match online deals in-store whenever possible.
4. TJ Maxx, Marshalls & Ross
- Why They’re Great: These stores carry brand-name clothing, home goods, and accessories at 40-60% off retail prices.
- Savings Tips:
- Shop on Tuesday or Wednesday, as new shipments usually arrive early in the week.
- Look for yellow and red clearance tags for deeper discounts.
- Use store credit cards responsibly for extra discounts.
5. Costco & Sam’s Club
- Why They’re Great: Buying in bulk can save families hundreds on groceries, diapers, paper products, and more.
- Savings Tips:
- Split bulk purchases with a friend or family member.
- Take advantage of free samples and store coupons.
- Use store-brand products like Kirkland (Costco) and Member’s Mark (Sam’s Club) for extra savings.
6. Big Lots
- Why It’s Great: Big Lots offers discounted furniture, groceries, home essentials, and seasonal decor.
- Savings Tips:
- Sign up for Big Rewards to earn cashback on purchases.
- Look for Markdown Monday discounts.
- Stack coupons with clearance sales for extra savings.
7. Burlington
- Why It’s Great: Burlington offers name-brand fashion, baby gear, and home goods at up to 60% off.
- Savings Tips:
- Shop the clearance racks at the back of the store.
- Use Burlington’s layaway program for big purchases.
- Sign up for Burlington’s email list for extra coupons.
How to Find the Best Local Discount Stores
Not all discount stores are part of large national chains. You can also save big by shopping at local discount retailers. Here’s how to find them:
- Google Search – Type in “discount stores near me” to find nearby deals.
- Facebook Marketplace & Local Groups – Many discount stores advertise sales in community Facebook groups.
- Thrift Stores & Outlet Malls – Look for Goodwill, Salvation Army, and local outlets to score major discounts.
- Warehouse Clearance Centers – Many large retailers have dedicated clearance centers where they sell deeply discounted overstock.
How to Find and Use Coupons at Discount Stores
Many discount stores don’t accept manufacturer coupons, but here’s where and how you can still stack savings:
Use Store-Specific Coupons:
- Walmart – Digital coupons available via the Walmart app.
- Big Lots – Regular printable and digital coupons through the Big Rewards program.
- Burlington – Sign up for emails to get exclusive coupons.
Use Cashback & Reward Apps:
- Ibotta – Earn cashback on grocery purchases at Walmart, Aldi, and Costco.
- Fetch Rewards – Scan receipts for rewards at Dollar Tree, Big Lots, and more.
- Rakuten – Earn cashback when shopping at discount stores online.
Stack Savings:
- Use cashback apps + store coupons for double savings.
- Buy discounted gift cards from Raise.com or GiftCardGranny to save an extra 5-10%.
- Sign up for store loyalty programs to earn rewards on future purchases.
Final Thoughts
Shopping at discount stores can drastically cut your household expenses, but maximizing savings requires strategy. By shopping smart, using coupons, and stacking discounts, your family can get the best deals without sacrificing quality.
Which discount store is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!