4 items that will cost you more at the dollar store, and where to buy them for less

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• Most of us think we're getting a deal when we shop at the dollar store.
• But financial experts point out that items like toothpaste can cost much more.
• The same sunscreen, for example, is $1.25 an ounce at Dollar Tree vs. $0.87 an ounce at Walmart.

As I start to prepare for the last few months of the year, one thing I try to remind myself of is how expensive the holiday season can become. 

In an effort to save money now on everyday purchases, I've been searching for more coupons to use and checking prices at local dollar stores, hoping to save some extra cash whenever I can.

But after talking to some financial experts, I've started to realize that not every item at a dollar store is a deal. Some will even cost more than shopping at another retailer. 

1. Canned foods

If you're looking to pack your pantry with canned foods to carry you through the winter, Galstyan says you won't always get the best deal shopping at a dollar store. In fact, you might even find yourself paying almost double what you'd pay elsewhere.

Galstyan found that the minimum price of canned foods at Dollar Tree was $1.25. At a local Walmart, he was able to get canned food for a minimum price of $0.50. 

2. Cleaning products and laundry detergent 

Household cleaning products can sometimes come with a hefty price tag, but you just have to know where to shop to find the best deals.

Chartered financial analyst Doug Carey says during a recent trip to source cleaning supplies, items at Dollar Tree were more expensive than other stores, like Walmart.

For example, Carey found that the household cleaner Ajax was $1.25 at Dollar Tree versus $0.98 at Walmart. The same applied for laundry detergent. Carey found that at Dollar Tree, 120 ounces cost $15, while 164 ounces of the same detergent at Walmart cost $12.74.  

3. Toothpaste 

A quick grab you might be tempted to pick up at a dollar store is toothpaste to have around the house. However, Galstyan says that you won't be walking away with a good deal at all.

For example, at Dollar Tree, you can get a tube of Colgate Cavity Protection toothpaste (five ounces) for $1.25, but a three-pack of the same toothpaste at Walmart — in a bigger size (six ounces) — costs $4.97. 

4. Sunscreen

If you're planning a tropical vacation this winter, you might be looking to buy a few more bottles of sunscreen to pack. Galstyan says dollar stores aren't the place to make this purchase.

He found Banana Boat brand sunscreen at Dollar Tree for $1.25 for just one fluid ounce, and the same kind at Walmart for $0.87 per fluid ounce. 

While some of these savings might be just a few cents, this can add up overtime, especially if you're filling up a cart at a dollar store. You might end up spending significantly more than if you bought those same items elsewhere.