Before I take any trip, I visit the dollar store. Why? Quite simply, I can save a lot of money there on travel items. Sometimes as much as $100, believe it or not.
I think these tips can work for most people living in the USA or other Western countries that have dollar stores, which is why I’m sharing them with you.
The main reason, of course, is that saving money before a trip means more money during it, and that’s always a good thing!
What inspired me to write this?
I remember being in Seljuk, Turkey, when my reading glasses fell apart. I was in desperate need of new ones; I could not read my guide book or maps. I looked everywhere and couldn’t find a new pair. I finally had to get a pair at a real eyeglass store for $40. Ouch. I was traveling low budget. The worst part? They were a bit too strong for my eyes.
Another time, I didn’t have a neck pillow for a long flight. I had to buy one at the airport. That was also expensive.
One day, while in a dollar store, I saw these same items for a fraction of the cost. After that, I tried to buy these types of products there. And it’s been working out quite well since then.
Here are the tips…I hope you find them useful!
1. Allergy (and Other) Medicines*
Are you an allergy sufferer who’s sick of spending big bucks on 24-hour (or shorter acting) tablets? Guess what? Some dollar stores have them for…a dollar.
Buyer beware, of course, since no one can vouch for their quality (they’re usually some sort of generic) or for the their freshness (check dates carefully), but if you’re looking for a way around paying $16 for the big names (even the generics aren’t cheap), this can work. You can also buy decongestant, aspirin, etc.
Savings: $10 to $15
Note: This is not medical advice; please consult with a doctor being buying/taking any medicine. Also, this is not a product endorsement.)
2. Towels/Washcloths
Here, you need to be careful; quality can be dubious. But sometimes you get lucky. In any case, the price of towels and washcloths is dirt cheap in a dollar store. Just one dollar! 
Small confession: I’ve recently caved and gotten myself a fancy super thin/absorbent/fast-drying towel from REI. Ouch on the price–about 25 times as much. But I must say I love it. Well worth it. Still, if in a jam or in need of a washcloth, there’s always the dollar store.
Savings: $5 to $10
3. Neck Support Ring
No, the quality isn’t amazing and there’s a chance it won’t last forever (but if you’re a backpacker and rough it a bit, it’s probably not a calamity), but you can save some bucks here. And have a more comfortable flight and easier bus rides.
Savings: $7 to $10
4. Eye Mask
If you’re lucky, you’ll get one of these from your flight crew. But there’s no guarantee that you will (unless you’re flying one of the better airlines). And if you try to buy one in a regular store, they’ll run you $7 to 10 or more dollars. Sometimes dollar stores have them. They do range in quality, but you just might score a good one.
Savings: $6 to $9
5. Journal/Notebook
Sure there are times when I’d like to have a fancy journal, but not for most trips. They get beaten up when I travel and also, they can be expensive–anywhere from $5 to 10 (and sometimes more).. At the dollar store, they’re–you guessed it–just a buck. And sometimes, to my surprise, they’re quite cool looking, too.
Savings: $6 to $9
6. Umbrella/Poncho
If you’re traveling during rainy season, you might want to bring an umbrella–and perhaps a mini one to keep your bags light. Sure it might fall apart at some point, but why pay $10 or more for one that you might misplace anyway. Same with a basic poncho. (Of course, if you’re a serious trekker, then you’ll have serious gear; for the rest of us, this is just fine.)
Savings: $9 to $15
7. Sunglasses and Reading glasses
I lose both types of glasses constantly and fortunately, I don’t require a fancy prescription. If that’s your situation, then it pays to consider buying these glasses at the dollar store. Why? Well, they’re just a dollar and they do the job (unless you have a complicated visual situation). In regular stores, they’re anywhere from $5 to $20, averaging at around $10.
And how about sunglasses? They’re not cheap. I say buy both types of glasses at the dollar store. You’ve got nothing to lose–except a dollar!
Savings: $10 to $15
Me in my favorite dollar store glasses; still getting compliments on them.
8. Energy Bars/Snacks
I love to pack energy bars and snacks (pretzels, nuts, etc.) for my trips. They’re great to have at the airport, on the plane and even for the first few days after arriving. If you buy them in a supermarket, they may be a little pricey. Get them at the airport and the prices are astronomical. At the dollar store, they’re an absolute bargain.
Note: If you’re super picky about the brand, try Trader Joe’s; the prices on energy bars are great there!
Savings: $5 to $10
9. Chewing Gum
Lately, gum has gotten expensive. Ridiculously so. I like to buy it anyway–especially when I’m going to be on a plane for more than a few hours. I like how it helps with ear popping. It’s also nice to have for handing out to kids you meet or simply to chew because you like to.
But I don’t want to pay $1.39 to $1.79 for a pack of it. At the dollar store, I don’t have to.
Savings: $2 (per 3 packs)
10. Facial Cleansing Wipes
Not that I wear much makeup when I travel, but…I sometimes wear a little. Perhaps you do, too, or you just want a fast way to wipe off your face after a long bus journey). These cleansing wipes can really come in handy.
The problem is that the name brands charge a lot for a 30-day pack. Sometimes $6. Even more. Why not get them cheaper?
Savings: $5
Your Thoughts/Experiences/Tips?
How do you save money before a trip? Do you go to the dollar store? If so, what items do you buy? If not, then where do you go?
Or does this depend on the country? If you’re going to Southeast Asia, do you just get what you need there because it’s cheap anyway? But if you’re going to another part of the world, one that doesn’t have what you need at a fair price, you shop at home?
Any other tips you can share re: saving money before traveling? If so, please share and feel free to link to an article you’re written.