A penny doesn’t buy much these days – except at Dollar General, where entire shopping carts of items can ring up for just one cent each. These aren’t mistakes or price glitches. They’re part of Dollar General’s clearance system, happening in every store across the country.
Most shoppers walk right past these penny items, not knowing they exist. Others might hear about penny shopping but give up after one or two unsuccessful attempts. The real secret isn’t luck – it’s knowing exactly what to look for and when to look for it throughout the year.
I’ve mapped out Dollar General’s seasonal clearance patterns month by month, showing you what items typically drop to a penny and where to find them. With this guide, you’ll know which seasonal items to watch, how to identify potential penny finds, and the best times to check your local store.
Also See: Beginner’s Guide to Penny Shopping at Dollar General
What You Need to Know About Penny Shopping
When Dollar General needs to clear out old inventory, they follow a markdown pattern. Items start at 50% off, move to 70%, then to 90%. After this final markdown, anything left should be pulled from shelves. Sometimes, items get missed – that’s when they ring up for a penny.
These penny prices aren’t advertised. Store policy requires employees to remove penny items when discovered. However, if you find these items while shopping and bring them to checkout, the store honors that penny price.
Also See: What Day is Penny Day at Dollar General?
Reading Dollar General Price Tags
Understanding Dollar General’s tag system unlocks the door to finding penny items:
Paper Price Tags:
- Regular items have white tags with black text
- Markdowns show up on yellow tags
- Season codes appear at the bottom:
- 1 means Spring (January-March)
- 2 indicates Summer (April-June)
- 3 represents Fall (July-September)
- 4 shows Winter (October-December)
Sticker Colors Matter:
- Regular prices: White stickers, black text
- First markdown: White stickers, red text
- Further markdown: Yellow stickers
- Final clearance: Look for brown or black dots
SKU Numbers Tell a Story:
Last digits reveal item categories:
- 0-2: Basic stock
- 3-5: Spring/Summer items
- 6-8: Fall/Winter merchandise
- 9: Holiday products
Finding Hidden Treasures in the Store
Dollar General follows patterns when moving clearance items. Check these spots first:
Prime Locations:
- Back endcaps near seasonal areas
- Top shelves throughout the store
- Bottom shelves behind current items
- Seasonal section corners
Often Overlooked Areas:
- Behind current seasonal displays
- Mixed with regular stock
- Forgotten hooks between aisles
- Under bottom shelf displays
Also See: 8 Biggest Mistakes Beginners Make When Penny Shopping at Dollar General
1. January Opportunities
Past holiday items surface here:
- Christmas gift wrap and bags
- Holiday-themed paper products
- Winter decorations
- New Year celebration leftovers
- Previous season candy (check dates)
Look behind Valentine’s displays and on top shelves in the party aisle.
2. February Opportunities
Winter items reach final clearance:
- Valentine merchandise (after holiday)
- Cold weather accessories
- Winter home goods
- Seasonal health products
Check endcaps near the seasonal section and behind spring items.
3. March Opportunities
Spring transition brings chances:
- St. Patrick’s Day items
- Winter’s last markdowns
- Early garden supplies
- Spring cleaning products
Search seasonal aisles and behind Easter setups.
4. April Opportunities
Spring cleaning peaks:
- Easter merchandise
- Garden tools
- Cleaning supplies
- Spring decorations
Look in garden centers and behind summer items.
5. May Opportunities
Spring winds down:
- Mother’s Day items
- Gardening merchandise
- Spring clothes
- Outdoor decorations
Check seasonal aisles and garden section endcaps.
6. June Opportunities
Early summer brings:
- Father’s Day merchandise
- Graduation items
- Spring final clearance
- Early summer goods
Search behind July 4th displays.
7. July Opportunities
Summer’s peak yields:
- Independence Day items
- Beach accessories
- Outdoor living goods
- Summer toys
Look on top shelves and behind back-to-school displays.
8. August Opportunities
Summer clearance begins:
- Pool items
- Outdoor furniture
- Summer merchandise
- Early school supplies
Check seasonal areas and outdoor sections.
9. September Opportunities
Fall transition time:
- School supplies
- Summer finals
- Early Halloween items
- Outdoor goods
Search behind fall and Halloween setups.
10. October Opportunities
Autumn clearance starts:
- Early Halloween goods
- Fall decorations
- Summer stragglers
- Yard care items
Look behind Thanksgiving displays.
11. November Opportunities
Holiday transition brings:
- Halloween clearance
- Thanksgiving items
- Fall merchandise
- Early winter goods
Check behind Christmas displays.
12. December Opportunities
Year-end finds include:
- Thanksgiving leftovers
- Fall finals
- Early Christmas items
- Winter accessories
Search behind Valentine’s previews.
Making Your Shopping Trip Count
Before heading out:
- Know your store’s layout
- Note current seasonal changes
- Bring a cart – you might need it
While shopping:
- Start at the store’s back
- Check endcaps first
- Look behind current displays
- Take time examining tags
Every month brings new opportunities to find penny items at Dollar General. The real value isn’t in any single shopping trip – it’s in building your knowledge of seasonal patterns, clearance cycles, and store layouts. A cart full of penny items might happen once in a while, but consistent small wins add up to substantial savings over time.
Your next Dollar General visit might look different now. Take what you’ve learned about seasonal timing, tag markings, and store layouts, and put it into practice. The items are out there, waiting to be found by someone who knows where to look.