18 Convincing Reasons to Be Obsessed with Family Dollar

First things first — Family Dollar doesn’t sell everything for a dollar or less.

It’s more like if the dollar store and Walgreens had a baby, it’d be named Family Dollar. You’ll find a lot of drugstore brands, unlike a regular dollar store. But the vibe and layout of the store still screams “dollar store.”

Overall, Family Dollar keeps it simple and straightforward. Here’s how to coupon at Family Dollar:

 

1. Download the Family Dollar app to access Smart Coupons.

Family Dollar offers at least $150 in digital coupons called “Smart Coupons.” The easiest way to access Smart Coupons is by downloading the free Family Dollar app.

You can clip these Family Dollar coupons in desktop or mobile and then either have the cashier scan your unique app barcode or enter your phone number at checkout. Any coupons that you’ve clipped will automatically be deducted from your total. Coupon availability is based on your shopping history and new offers can appear anytime — so check back often!

Smart Coupons are mostly manufacturer coupons, but occasionally you’ll see a digital store coupon.

 

2. Use one digital or paper manufacturer coupon per item at Family Dollar.

Family Dollar also accepts paper manufacturer coupons from Sunday newspaper inserts and paper coupons printed from the internet as long as they have scannable barcodes.

Since most Family Dollar Smart Coupons are manufacturer coupons, save an identical paper manufacturer coupon for a different store. You can only use one manufacturer coupon — paper or digital — per item.

Have four identical items? You can use up to four identical (a mix of paper and digital is okay) manufacturer coupons in the same transaction.

 

3. Look for “$5 off $25” or “$3 off $15” Family Dollar store coupons.

Check the Family Dollar ad every week (released on Sundays) and the Family Dollar app for special dollar-off promotions, like “$5 off a $25 purchase” or “$3 off a $15 purchase.” These Family Dollar store coupons can be used in conjunction with other Smart Coupons and/or paper manufacturer coupons in the same transaction.

You must meet the designated spend threshold after all other coupons and discounts are applied — and before taxes.

 

4. Stack Family Dollar store coupons with manufacturer coupons.

Now we’re getting krazy.

To get the most savings at Family Dollar, stack a Family Dollar store coupon (ex: $5 off your $15 or more purchase of school supplies) with a digital or paper manufacturer coupon (ex: $1.50/2 Bic Stationary Products) and everyday low prices.

Here’s what that transaction might look like:

 

5. You can also stack Family Dollar Smart Coupons or paper manufacturer coupons with rebate app offers.

Cash-back rebate apps like Ibotta and Checkout 51 should be part of your Family Dollar savings arsenal.

Before heading into Family Dollar, check to see if there are any offers for the products you need in a rebate app like Ibotta. Then, snap a pic of the receipt after your transaction and get money deposited into your Ibotta account soon after.

Often, you can even pair a digital manufacturer Smart Coupon (or a paper manufacturer coupon) with a cash-back offer. The ultimate stack would also include a Family Dollar store coupon (like $3 off $15), but those scenarios are rare.

Recently we bought bandages using a paper manufacturer coupon from the Smart Source newspaper insert with an Ibotta offer. Here’s what that looked like:

Here’s your Your Ultimate Guide to Rebate Apps.

 

6. Download the KCL app and let us do the heavy lifting for you.

 

We do coupon matchups with Family Dollar sales whenever we see a new Family Dollar ad post to the website. We’ll even link to the coupons you need in order to complete the deal.

Best part? Many of the Family Dollar deals we post are stock-up prices.

Download the KCL app and select “Family Dollar” as one of your favorite stores in-app.

 

7. Memorize the order coupons are applied so you don’t have any surprises at checkout.

Here’s the redemption order for coupons:

1. Paper or Store Manufacturer Coupons: These coupons are applied to your item first.
2. Store Smart Coupons: Next, Smart Coupons are applied — but only if they’re Family Dollar store coupons and not manufacturer coupons.
3. “$5 off $25” Store Coupons (or similar): These are applied last and your total must reach the minimum after all coupons are applied.
4. Cash-Back App Rebate (like Ibotta): Redeem Ibotta rebates soon after you complete your purchase.

 

8. Aim for at least 50-60% savings when you use coupons at Family Dollar.

It’s fairly easy to get items for half-price when you combine a coupon and a sale. Target this savings amount for all your purchases and you’ll feel like an accomplished supersaver.

 

9. Jump on clearance items that are less than $1.

You can find items around the store that are under $1. I found a hand-held cheese grater for $0.60, rivaling Walmart’s lowest prices on kitchen gadgets — $0.88 each in store.

Even better, the Family Dollar coupon policy says you’re allowed to use coupons on sale and clearance items.

 

10. Final markdown clearance items have an orange sticker.

You can find these on the shelf mixed in with regular-price merchandise or on dedicated “clearance shelves.”

 

11. Look for “Price Drop” signage — that’s your signal to use coupons!

Find out which items received recent price drops online or just look for the tags in store. These are sale items so you definitely want to stack a coupon or an Ibotta rebate with a price drop.

 

12. Shop brand-name $1 WOW! deals.

You can find tons of brands from the likes of Procter & Gamble, Pepsi, or Hershey’s for $1. Look for the “$1 WOW!” signs in stores or check out current $1 WOW! offerings online.

Palmolive OXY is only $0.06/oz. at Family Dollar, but it’s $0.10/oz. at Walmart. Stack this dollar purchase with a coupon, and you’re couponing like a pro.

 

13. Check out Family Dollar brands, but prepare to be underwhelmed.

You’ll see Family Dollar signage all over the store indicating a “Compare & Save” opportunity. Sure, if you compare Family Dollar’s brands with name-brand prices, the store brand is cheaper. But when you compare the store-brand price with stock-up prices across the board, Family Dollar still falls short.

For example, a good stock-up price on name-brand toilet paper (think: Charmin, Cottonelle, etc.) is $0.01-$0.02/sq. ft. Family Dollar’s store-brand toilet paper comes in around $0.03/sq. ft.

You can get the best toilet paper deals when you use coupons on name brands.

 

14. Don’t bother trying to use competitor coupons or get a rain check. Or a price match. Or a price adjustment.

Family Dollar really doesn’t play ball when it comes to direct competition with other retailers.

And if an item you have a coupon for is out of stock, you’re out of luck.

 

15. Plan to shop in stores only.

Like many other discount stores (looking at you, Ross), Family Dollar doesn’t offer online shopping. You need to go in the store to buy items.

 

16. Use your EBT benefits to buy groceries at Family Dollar.

Like many grocery and drugstores, Family Dollar stores accept food stamps.

 

17. Buy kids’ lunch boxes and home/seasonal decor at Family Dollar.

Truth be told, a lot of Family Dollar’s prices are comparable to Walmart. But there are a few gems if you look hard enough. Lunch boxes are half the price of Walmart’s, and certain home and seasonal decor come in slightly lower.

That said, always double check Walmart.com to be certain Family Dollar is offering you the lowest price you can get on an item.

“Frozen” character lunch box

• Family Dollar: $5.00
• Walmart: $10.99

Outdoor throw pillows

• Family Dollar: $5.00
• Walmart: $10.67

12″ plastic planter

• Family Dollar: $5.00
• Walmart: $7.99

 

18. Skip buying laundry detergent and small appliances.

Even if you use coupons at Family Dollar, it won’t be enough to get the best laundry detergent deals, because Walgreens and Target consistently come in with lower prices after coupons.

Learn how to never pay full price for laundry detergent again.

Small appliances are often the same price (or cheaper) at Walmart than at Family Dollar. This coffee pot is $20 at Family Dollar and $19.77 at Walmart.

 

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