There used to be certain things in life you thought you could count on—gravity, the sun rising in the east, and everything at Dollar Tree costing, well… a dollar.

But friends, those days are gone. Dollar Tree—our last bastion of simplicity in an overpriced world—has officially raised prices again. Four years ago, Dollar Tree made headlines by raising its standard price from $1 to $1.25, breaking its original promise to keep all items at a dollar. I grumbled. I even took it somewhat personally, since I spend a small fortune on Operation Christmas Child Shoebox items at Dollar Tree. I’m sure I single-handedly keep our local Dollar Tree in business. But I understood and accepted it. After all, inflation affects everyone, and they have to keep up with costs, even if it cuts into our Shoebox budget by 25%. But now? We’ve officially entered the $1.75 era. Overnight, so it would seem. A 40% increase! I could even accept a smaller step-up, say, to $1.50. At least let us get used to forking over another quarter before hitting us with a double whammy.

I used to walk into Dollar Tree feeling like a high roller. After loading up my cart with knock-off Barbie dolls and Legos, I could still wander the aisles and toss in a few impulse buys. Let’s be honest—Dollar Tree used to be the kind of place where you didn’t even need a shopping list. You just wandered the aisles and thought, “Sure, I could use a mini spatula, reading glasses, and fake Oreos.” For a buck apiece, it didn’t matter. But now? Now every impulse buy requires actual math. Now I have to stop and think really hard about whether I can justify spending nearly two dollars on something that spells “Cheese Puffs” as “Cheezy Poofs” with a Z.

And don’t even get me started on the emotional toll. The name “Dollar Tree” implies a sense of trust. Like, we had a deal. You promised me everything for a dollar. That was your whole thing! It feels like the end of a nostalgic era, like drive-in movies or handwritten letters. If you’re going to raise prices to $1.75, fine—but maybe change your name to “Dollar-ish Tree,” or “The Tree Formerly Known as Dollar.”

After the shock of seeing the same items that had sold for $1.25 the week before now costing $1.75 had almost worn off, I started to notice something odd — and even more unthinkable: a “premium section” selling $3 and $5 items right next to $1.75 items. The $3 and $5 shelves are cunningly disguised to look exactly like the regular shelves. No warning signs, no flashing lights—just an innocent display of throw blankets that somehow cost more than my lunch. Sure, if you take the time to look, they have the prices labeled, but how many $5 items have I accidentally tossed into my cart because they were right next to $1.75 items and I naturally “assumed” they were also $1.75? Next thing you know, Dollar Tree will be offering layaway plans.

I miss the days when the math was simple. I could wander through the aisles, tossing random stuff into my basket without guilt. Now, I have to do mental arithmetic just to see if I can afford a pack of plastic forks and a bottle of window cleaner.

Still, I can’t stay mad. Because no matter how high those prices climb, I’ll keep going back. Where else can you find kitchen tongs, greeting cards, and knockoff shampoo all under one fluorescent roof? It’s the retail equivalent of comfort food.

But let’s face it—my wallet has trust issues now. I used to go in for one item and spend $10. With the new pricing? That’s $17.50 before tax. It’s math I wasn’t emotionally prepared for.

So farewell, sweet Dollar Tree. You’ve grown up, and I suppose I must too. But I’ll never forget the good old days—when a dollar literally meant a dollar, and my basket full of random nonsense only cost me $20. Until then, I’ll keep shopping there, pretending I don’t notice the price tags, clinging to the dream that someday, somehow, everything will go back to being a dollar again. Yeah, and Blockbuster Videos, Sears catalogues, and full-service gas stations will magically reappear.

A girl can only hope.

By the way, last week’s blog wasn’t emailed out because I mistakenly posted it for 2025 instead of 2026. This is why I need paper calendars! However, the link to last week’s blog is: https://ellenfannonauthor.com/2026/01/04/confessions-of-a-paper-calendar-person-in-a-digital-world/