5 Things You Should Never Buy at Big Lots While on a Retirement Budget

When you’re living on a retirement budget , every dollar counts. Big Lots can be a great place to find deals, but not everything there is a smart buy.

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Here’s a list of five things you should probably skip at Big Lots to keep your money safe and make sure you’re getting good value in retirement .

Furniture You’ll Use a Lot

Big Lots has cheap furniture, but be careful about buying things like sofas or recliners. These get a lot of use, and the low-priced ones at Big Lots might not last long. The cushions might get lumpy fast, and the frame could break easily.

When you’re retired, you want furniture that will last and be comfortable for a long time. It’s better to spend a bit more at a furniture store for something that will last years.

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Electronics and Cords

You might see good prices on things like TVs, DVD players and extension cords at Big Lots. But be careful. Sometimes these are older models or from brands you’ve never heard of. They might not work as well and could even be dangerous. Faulty electronics can be a fire hazard, which is the last thing you need to worry about in retirement. It’s safer to buy these things from places that specialize in electronics.

Fresh Produce

Some Big Lots stores sell fruits and vegetables. The prices might look good, but often this produce just isn’t the freshest. If you’re living within a tight budget as many seniors are, it’s best to avoid buying fresh food at Big Lots so it doesn’t go bad quickly. It’s better to buy fruits and vegetables from a regular grocery store or a farmers market where you know they’re fresh.

Vitamins and Supplements

Taking care of your health is always important — but it’s especially important in retirement. Unfortunately, that could mean skipping the vitamins at Big Lots because they might not be the best quality. The concern here is that they’re old or from brands that aren’t well known and trusted. When it comes to your health, it’s worth spending a little more to get vitamins from a pharmacy or health food store where you know they’re good quality.

Cleaning Supplies

You might think you’re saving money by buying cheap cleaning supplies at Big Lots, but think again. Often, these products don’t work as well as better-known brands and you end up using more to get things clean, which means you’re not really saving money. It’s better to buy cleaning supplies from a regular store and look for coupons or sales to save money.

Why It’s Important To Be Careful When Shopping at Big Lots

Big Lots has a lot (pun intended!) going for it. It often has good deals on holiday decorations, basic household items and some packaged foods. But for things that affect your health, comfort or safety, it might be a good idea to shop elsewhere.

Because Big Lots gets a lot of its stuff from overstock or when other stores close, you have to be extra careful about expiration dates. If you’re a senior living on a fixed income, you probably want to avoid buying things that will go bad almost immediately.

Also, because things at Big Lots are so cheap, it’s easy to get drawn in and just shop, shop, shop — even if you don’t really need it.

How To Shop Smart in Retirement

Here are some tips for shopping on a retirement budget.

1. Make a list before you go shopping and stick to it.
2. Compare prices at different stores. What looks like a good deal might not be.
3. Buy generic brands for some things. They’re often just as good as name brands.
4. Look for senior discounts. Many stores offer them, but you have to ask.
5. Buy in bulk for things you use a lot, but only if you have space to store them.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com : 5 Things You Should Never Buy at Big Lots While on a Retirement Budget