Fall is pretty much here, which (ideally) means you’re recovering all the fun you had over the summer. Fun doesn’t come cheap, so I’m sure your bank account is crying out in agony now that the reckless YOLOing has ceased. Do it and yourself a favor by heading to Dollar Tree and stocking up on some cheap snacks, meals, and desserts to help it bounce back a bit. Heck, if you really focus on filling your pantry with Dollar Tree finds, you might even get it back in the black. From easy dinners to refreshing bevs to get you through those final dog days of summer, we’ve got you covered with some sensible and fun suggestions for what to buy at Dollar Tree in September.
- Velveeta Jalapeño Cheese Sauce
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I know when I’m rounding up what to buy at Dollar Tree, I usually focus on the absurdities that await you in the store’s aisles, but shopping there can actually save you money on things you frequently eat, too. Weird, I know! And this item is a huge win for the frugal among us. At a regular grocery store, a box of Velveeta Shells & Cheese can set you back upwards of four bucks! But buying a packet of this cheese sauce from Dollar Tree, along with a box of pasta from the same aisle, costs half as much. There’s not even any extra work! You’re still opening one box and one packet of sauce, boiling some water, and stirring it all up. Did I just find a mac and cheese loophole? Should we start boxing up our own shells and cheese and make bank? Let me know in the comments, thanks.
Read our ranking of the best boxed mac and cheese
- Starburst Strawberry Sorbet Bar
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The novelty of this product is doing a lot of heavy lifting, though I’d expect no less from Dollar Tree. Undoubtedly, the most interesting thing about these sorbet bars is that they are square like Starburst, instead of, erm, bar-shaped like other ice cream bars. Like the shape of an actual Starburst. I’m both impressed by the choice and a little offended that it’s still called a sorbet bar. To be perfectly honest, these are a pass for me (I don’t like pink Starburst), but that just means there are more for all you FaveREDs freaks to scoop up.
Read our ranking of the best ice cream bars
- Sour Skittles Drink
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Dollar Tree’s actually broken my brain with this one. I’ve given them a lot of runway when it comes to the freaky drinks that they sell to the masses. Rocket pop-flavored Sunny D? Sure, why not—it’s festive. An iced tea-watermelon-lemonade Franken-bev? By all means. Sour Skittles drink? I can’t even begin to process what that is. Is it just sour Skittles dissolved in water? My favorite thing about this drink is that it’s literally just called “Sour Skittles Drink” anywhere you can find it online. Not soda, not energy drink—just “drink.” There are actually four varieties of Skittles drink, and this sour version happens to be the Sporked crew’s favorite. If you’re as intrepid as they are, add this to your list of what to buy at Dollar Tree this month.
- Liquid Death Convicted Melon
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That’s Convicted Melon, not felon. It’s a grabby little pun, and sometimes that’s just what a drink needs to get noticed amid the massive wall of interesting bevs at Dollar Tree. This flavor of Liquid Death, a canned sparkling water you’ve probably spotted at fests and live music venues, is Sporked-approved…sort of. It’s fairly new, so the team didn’t try it when they taste tested every flavor of Liquid Death, but the powdered version got high marks in a separate taste test. If you’re looking to expand your Liquid Death horizons, give Convicted Melon a try if you see it at your local Dollar Tree. It’s probably worth $1.25 to quell your curiosity, right?
Read our ranking of the best Liquid Death flavors
- Michael Angelo’s Chicken Parmigiana
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Filling up your freezer with frozen meals from Dollar Tree is a foolproof way to save yourself from spending loads on Uber Eats in the middle of the workday. Calendar loaded up with meetings? Just mute your mic and pop a chicken parm in the microwave! And that’s not all. You can also load up the freezer in your office! Just be sure your coworkers thank me for not recommending the microwavable tuna casserole instead.
Read our ranking of the best frozen meals from our taste tests
- Casa Verde Garbanzos Al Pastor
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Any vegan wondering what to buy at Dollar Tree probably expects their options will be limited to frozen french fries and canned corn. But you’re in luck! The Dollar Tree I visited had a whole end cap full of Case Verde plant-based heat-and-eat meals. You’re probably thinking, “Well, yeah, you went to a Dollar Tree in Los Angeles, so of course they did.” WRONG! I went to a Dollar Tree in Middle of Nowhere, Minnesota. Put your perceptions behind you and give Dollar Tree a chance. You’d be surprised what you can find! Though I suppose that’s why I’m here to scout it out for you.
- Edwards Frozen Chocolate Crème Pie Slices
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These are my newfound obsession for a late-night treat. Who keeps pie on hand? Not me, at least. So if I want a cheeky late night slice of pie, I have to huff my way to the nearest diner and pray to the heavens that they have a slice that looks appetizing. Not anymore! Now I can keep a little box of frozen pie slices that just need to be thawed and enjoyed. Trust me, it’s not that bad. Stock up on a few of these boxes from Dollar Tree to save yourself a midnight trek.
Thoughts? Questions? Complete disagreement? Leave a comment!