If you're trying to stretch your budget, shopping at Dollarama for food items can help reduce your overall bill, and there are certain snacks you should always be buying at the dollar store since it can be significantly more expensive to buy them elsewhere, like at Bulk Barn.
I did the math for items at both stores in Torotno, and here are 17 snack foods that are cheaper at Dollarama rather than Bulk Barn, sometimes for the exact same brand name item.
Jolly Ranchers
Jolly Ranchers.
Price at Dollarama: $2.00 for three bags, 78 grams each
Price per 100 grams at Dollarama: $0.85
Price per 100 grams at Bulk Barn: $0.47 per 100 grams
Shelled pumpkin seeds
A bag of pumpkins seeds.
Price at Dollarama: $2.00 for 140 grams
Price per 100 grams at Dollarama: $1.42
Price per 100 grams at Bulk Barn: $2.63
Reese's Mini's
Reese's Mini's.
Price at Dollarama: $2.50 for 104 grams
Price per 100 grams at Dollarama: $2.40
Price per 100 grams at Bulk Barn: $2.70
Caramels
Kraft Caramels.
Price at Dollarama: $3.25 for 269 grams
Price per 100 grams at Dollarma: $1.21
Price per 100 grams at Bulk Barn: $1.51
Sunflower seeds salted in shell
A bag of sunflower seeds.
Price at Dollarama: $1.50 for 210 grams
Price per 100 grams at Dollarama: $0.72
Price per 100 grams at Bulk Barn: $0.92
Gummy worms
Gummy Worms.
Price at Dollarama: $1.00 for 135 grams
Price per 100 grams at Dollarma: $0.74
Price per 100 grams at Bulk Barn: $0.98
Skittles Original
Skittles.
Price at Dollarama: $2.50 for 191 grams
Price per 100 grams at Dollarma: $1.31
Price per 100 grams at Bulk Barn: $3.02
Maynards wine gums
Maynards Wine Gums.
Price at Dollarama: $1.75 for 220 grams
Price per 100 grams at Dollarma: $0.80
Price per 100 grams at Bulk Barn: $1.08
Tootsie Roll Candies
Tootsie Roll Candies.
Price at Dollarama: $1.50 for 119 grams
Price per 100 grams at Dollarma: $1.26
Price per 100 grams at Bulk Barn: $1.45
Rockets candy rolls
Rockets.
Price at Dollarama: $1.50 for 135 grams
Price per 100 grams at Dollarma: $1.11
Price per 100 grams at Bulk Barn: $1.84
Peanut M&M's
Peanut M&M's.
Price at Dollarama: $0.91 for 49 grams
Price per 100 grams at Dollarma: $1.90
Price per 100 grams at Bulk Barn: $2.89
Twizzler Cherry Nibs
Twizzler Cherry Nibs.
Price at Dollarama: $1.75 for 220 grams
Price per 100 grams at Dollarma: $0.80
Price per 100 grams at Bulk Barn: $1.08
Peanut butter
Peanut butter.
Price at Dollarama: $3.75 for 500 grams
Price per 100 grams at Dollarama: $0.75
Price per 100 grams at Bulk Barn: $1.04
Sultana raisins
A bag of Sultana raisins.
Price at Dollarama: $1.25 for 225 grams
Price per 100 grams at Dollarma: $0.45
Price per 100 grams at Bulk Barn: $0.99
Pitted prunes
Pitted prunes.
Price at Dollarama: $2.25 for 225 grams
Price per 100 grams at Dollarma: $1.12
Price per 100 grams at Bulk Barn: $1.60
Dried mango
Dried mango.
Price at Dollarama: $2.00 for 120 grams
Price per 100 grams at Dollarma: $1.64
Price per 100 grams at Bulk Barn: $2.63
Smarties
Smarties.
Price at Dollarama: $2.50 for 90 grams
Price per 100 grams at Dollarma: $1.82
Price per 100 grams at Bulk Barn: $2.59
So, as the math shows, there are quite a few products that are similar to or the exact same at Dollarama and Bulk Barn, with the former having better prices per 100 grams at close to or even over $1.00, which can make a significant difference in your overall bill depending on how much you purchase.
While you're shopping at Dollarama, you might want to check out some of the home products and kitchen products that are only worth buying there.
For instance, Dollarama has gorgeous wire basket organizers that I keep in pretty much every room of my apartment and they come in silver, gold and rose gold, the latter of which matches my aesthetic, and only cost $4.00. A similar product at Michael's costs about $20, so given that they only cost $4 at Dollarama, you can buy about five of them for roughly the same cost.
In terms of practical necessities, I also like their power strips which only cost $1.75 and are the cheapest I've seen at any store, including the ones that specialize in home and construction goods.
In terms of kitchen products, you can save a ton by shopping at the dollar store instead of discount retailers like Walmart and Giant Tiger, and some of the pieces are truly great.
For instance, I swear by Dollarama's instant read kitchen thermometer because I tend to be impatient and think it's fine to pull food out of the oven if it looks done, which isn't the smartest thing to do, particularly for poultry. My thermometer has spared me and my fiance countless cases of salmonella poisoning and nights spent close to the bathroom, if not the emergency room.
All of that being said, Dollarama does have some misses —a few items I've bought from them have not been worth it, despite the cheap price, due to the item not doing what it's supposed to or being of poor quality. Many of their items that use suction, like sponge caddies and bathtub product holders, just don't have enough grip.
Don't even get me started on their toilet brushes — save yourself the grief and shell out a few extra bucks at Walmart. Trust me on this one!
These prices are confirmed at the time of publishing, but they can change at any time. Taxes and fees may not be included.
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
