We've all been there for the best deals: the dollar store. Sometimes things are a dollar and sometimes they're not, but we always know one thing: They are dirt cheap. But is anything really worth buying at the dollar store? We know that with cheap prices comes cheap manufacturing. Won't it just break in a week? Is it laden with harmful chemicals? Believe it or not, there are some items that you should get from the dollar store. These best dollar store buys won't break or expire, and they are items you actually need. Well, OK, mostly need. Here's the definitive list of the best dollar store buys you should get from your local dollar store. Stop overspending for greeting cards, toiletries, tape, or socks. That money can be better spent elsewhere. Be sure to SHARE these frugal shopping tips with any of your friends on Facebook!

Is there anything more cost-effective than growing your own herbs at home? Now, they don't have to take up any counter space either! First, you'll need to drill holes in the bottom of the tin so water can drain through as well as on the sides so you can hang it with some wire. From there you just need to fill it with soil and plant your herbs!

Everyone who's been to Hallmark knows that a greeting card can set you back as much as $6. But it doesn't have to! The dollar store has you covered. They have greeting cards for every occasion at less than $1.

Back in the day, people actually put pictures on walls instead of posting them on social media. If you're into that kind of thing, a variety of picture frames are sold at dollar stores for a fraction of the cost.

At Office Depot, a pack of paper clips can run you $2.49, which no, isn't a hefty sum. Get 'em for $1 a pack at Dollar Tree and that $1.50 you save will add up over time.

Most stores sell those small two-packs of pain relievers for $1, but dollar stores will often sell them for less. You can stock up for the office or keep them in the car for when a headache strikes.

The dollar store sells padded envelopes in pairs of two, and a 10-pack of mailing labels much cheaper than the post office or drug stores.

Socks are basically disposable clothes. They always get lost in the dryer or develop holes quicker than you want them to. Therefore, dollar store socks are the way to go.

Buying your glasses or mugs at the dollar store is a good way to rack them up on the cheap. Just make sure they're dishwasher/microwave safe.

At the dollar store you can find some pretty pots and vases for planting flowers that are just as good as those found at the florist. Why spend the extra cash if you don't need to?

At other stores, wrapping paper can be $5 per roll, but at the dollar store, a 20-foot roll is $1. Even the gift boxes and gift bags are much cheaper at the dollar store.

Bins used for storage don't need to be anything fancy. You throw the old Christmas lights in and toss it in the basement or back up in the attic. Or store your off-season clothes in the back of the closet. At the dollar store, you'll find bins in many sizes for a variety of uses.

As long as women still have to pay for these, they should purchase them at the dollar store. Feminine hygiene products can set you back $6 to $10 elsewhere.

As we get older, we lose some of the elasticity in our eyes, making it more difficult to read things up close. This isn't necessarily something that would require prescription glasses, so standard reading glasses will do the trick. Grab a pair from the dollar store to save yourself some money.

Even if you're not into crafting, it's a good way to keep kids busy. The dollar store sells plenty of beads, crayons, paintbrushes, coloring books, glitter, and more!

While a normal pregnancy test might run you $10 to $20 at the drug store, dollar store pregnancy tests can be much cheaper. Hey, kids are expensive so might as well start the saving as soon as possible.

Buying cleaning supplies at the dollar store is a good way to keep to a budget. The supplies have all the same ingredients (though maybe they're a bit diluted) and get the job done.

Clear tape can cost around five bucks at Staples. But at the dollar store, you can find it at a fifth of the price per inch. It's the best way to stock up, especially for the holidays.

Why spend more money on something that is just going to be thrown away right after use? Disposable plastic utensils are a no-brainer as a dollar store buy.

Holiday decorations are crazy expensive these days. Rite-Aid sells some of its Christmas decor for as much as $60. But never fear, the dollar store is here. They may not have as large of a selection, but you sure won't be busting any budgets.

Hair ties are like socks. You buy 50, and suddenly you have two. They get lost so fast, so you might as well save on them. Hair clips and other accessories are also very cheap.

Toiletries like shaving cream, mouthwash, toothbrushes, and loofas cost an arm and a leg at most drug stores, so hit up the dollar stores for steep discounts.

Barnes and Noble sells new books for over $20. The dollar store also has popular books for a fraction of the price — in hardcover.

You should always get your aluminum foil at the dollar store. The price per square foot will always beat any other retailer and it's always needed around the house.

Whether it's for summer BBQs or cold weather birthday parties, you can always use disposable plates, cups, and tablecloths. Dollar stores have these in abundance and you can snag them for as low as 70 percent below what you'd pay at normal retailers.

The obvious time saving money on notebooks would be for back to school supplies, but you can also pick up small size notebooks to carry in a bag for grocery lists or keep at work for meetings.

For the coffee drinkers, you know how expensive coffee is, even when buying in bulk. Why not save yourself some additional money and get your filters at the dollar store for less?

For one dollar, you can do a whole lot to reduce plastic waste throughout the world, and forever rid your pantry (or underneath your sink) area from a litter of empty plastic bags. Buy a handful of tote bags at the dollar store so that you can always keep them handy in the car or in your work bag for those unexpected visits to the grocery store.

Like mugs and glasses, buying your dishware at the dollar store is a surefire way to save a few extra dollars. Have you gone to places like Bed Bath & Beyond to look at dishware sets and see how outrageously expensive they are? The dollar store offers basically the same product for far, far less.

Food storage containers are always needed around the house, and they tend to stain or melt far easier than we think. If you need to replace your food storage containers, the dollar store will likely have them cheaper. We would just note that it's best to make sure the containers at the store do not contain BPA in the plastic. If they do, we would suggest buying higher quality ones elsewhere.

Normal candy bars at the checkout lanes will be cheapest at big box stores, but movie theater-style boxed and bagged candy can be found for great bargains at dollar stores. It's an especially wise way to stock up on candy prior to big candy-giving holidays like Halloween, Easter, and Christmas.

Like cleaning supplies and storage bins, plastic buckets will be far less expensive at dollar stores than at most other retailers. They're great for indoor cleaning or outdoor cleaning of the garage or washing the car.

In 2018, the Food and Drug Administration sent warning letters to several Chinese manufacturers for not properly testing "finished drug products prior to distribution" and that manufacturing facilities contained "rodent feces." These warning letters were sent for drugs supplied at Dollar Tree and Family Dollar stores. However, the stores didn't stop selling the products at the time. Why you ask? ...

In 2018, the FDA warned Chinese drug manufacturers that their products were harmful and didn't meet regulations, and that they needed to clean up their act. The FDA informed the retailers with an "import alert" about the manufacturing violations and that potentially unsafe products were being brought into the country and sold. We would suggest to research any dollar store-brand drugs before purchasing.