If you’ve ever heard someone say they scored items for just one penny at Dollar General, it’s not a myth—it’s a strategy. Penny shopping is one of the most exciting (and secretive) ways deal hunters save BIG, and once you understand how it works, you’ll never look at clearance aisles the same again.

This guide will walk you through:

  • What the Dollar General penny list actually is
  • How it works (and why items go to $0.01)
  • A running “master list” format you can follow weekly
  • Insider tips to maximize your chances of scoring penny finds

What Is the Dollar General Penny List?

The “penny list” is a group of items that have been clearanced out by corporate and are supposed to be removed from shelves—but sometimes they’re missed.

When that happens?
👉 The system automatically rings them up for $0.01

These items are:

  • Discontinued products
  • Seasonal clearance leftovers
  • Packaging changes or resets

Important: Stores are not required to sell penny items and employees are trained to remove them—so your success depends on timing and strategy.

🗓️ How Penny Drops Work

Penny items typically reset on:

  • Tuesdays (early morning)

Here’s the pattern:

  1. Item goes on clearance (50% → 70% → 90%)
  2. Corporate discontinues it
  3. It drops to $0.01 in the system

💡 The catch: The tag in-store usually does NOT say $0.01

🔍 How to Find Penny Items

  • Scan everything using the Dollar General app
  • Look for older packaging or items out of place
  • Check back shelves, top shelves, and behind products
  • Watch for colored dot items (yellow, green, blue = seasonal clearance)
  • Shop early Tuesday mornings for the best chance

Important Rules

  • Don’t ask employees about penny items
  • If they refuse the sale, don’t argue
  • Be respectful—this isn’t an official sale
  • Use self-checkout when possible

Pro Tips

  • Hit multiple stores (inventory varies a lot)
  • Focus on post-season clearance (Christmas, summer, back-to-school)
  • Stack with coupons + clearance for bigger savings
  • Follow a weekly penny list so you know what to look for

June 16, 2026

  • Moores Marinade Original 9oz UPC: 735995099110
  • Moores Wing Sauce Buffalo 9oz UPC: 735995099011
  • Clover Valley E0696 Sauce Sriracha 8oz UPC: 719303171705
  • Hidden Valley Dressing Jalapeno Ranch 20oz UPC: 71100480344
  • Hidden Valley Dressing Garlic Ranch 20oz UPC: 71100480290
  • Famous Daves Pickle Chips Spicy Dill 24oz UPC: 780993315212
  • Famous Daves BBQ Sauce Sweet & Zesty 20oz UPC: 780993206688
  • Famous Daves Pickles Sweet & Spicy 24oz UPC: 780993787798
  • Clover Valley F0260 IC Cups Vanilla Cups 12ea UPC: 850066966006
  • Current Markdowns Purple Dot Home – 25% OFF
  • Green/White Star Socks – 25% OFF
  • Blue Star Toys – 50% OFF
  • Select Electronics – 50% OFF
  • Brown Dot Home – 70% OFF
  • Mother’s Day Seasonal & Party – 70% OFF

June 15, 2026

  • CELESTE DELUXE PIZZA 5.9Z
  • CELESTE ORIG 4 CHS PIZZA 5.22Z
  • TJ FARMS BROCCOLI CUTS 12Z
  • GIO TOAST GARLIC 8.04Z
  • SB SALMON PORTIONS 10Z
  • TJ BANANA BERRY BLEND 20Z
  • TJ STRAWBERRIES 20Z
  • NATHAN’S ONION RING 16Z
  • TWIX ICE CREAM 14Z
  • M&M ICE CREAM SANDWICH PB 4Z
  • BUFFALO CHICKEN EGG ROLL 3Z
  • TYSON ORIG CHIKN BRST SW 2CT8Z
  • CB MINI CORN DOG 16Z
  • GOYA BEEF EMPANADAS 3.25Z
  • GOYA CHICKEN EMPANADAS 3.25Z
  • ARMOUR EVRYTHNG BAGEL HOTDOG 4Z
  • LD COSMIC BROWNIE PINT 16Z
  • TAPATIO CHICKEN ENCHILADA 10Z
  • TAPATIO SALSAVRDE STK BOWL 10Z
  • JK PEPPERONI PIZZA STICKS 8.5Z
  • STEAK UMM’S CHICKEN 9Z
  • VF GARLC CHKN PASTA DINNER 21Z
  • CHICKEN VEG ALFREDO DINNER 21Z
  • COOL WHIP ORGINAL 8Z

June 9, 2026

  • Easter Pops Lollipop Assortment, 6 oz, 23 ct – 430002414343
  • Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate Caramel Hearts, 2.7oz Bag – 747599436239
  • SNICKERS Original Milk Chocolate Easter Egg, 1.1 oz – 430002414282
  • Bunny Poles Marshmallow Twists, 1.92 oz – 72084155129
  • Easter Bubble Gum Eggs in a Carton, 3 pk – 430002414336
  • Easter Plush n Pop, Plush Toy with Lolli Pop, Assorted – 430002414329
  • Memorial Day Floral – 25% off Select Electronics – 70% off

June 2, 2026

  • Brown Dot Home
  • Mother’s Day Seasonal & Party
  • Select Plastic Totes & Storage
  • Bella 120qt Tote Lock Tote 1ct – 53883233171
  • Box Sweater Pink – 400028517564
  • Fresh Start Turntable Clear 1ct – 430002104282
  • Glad White Wastebasket 2.9g Bag Ring 1ct – 749732740388
  • Houseware 18 Gal Tote Red/Red 1ct – 815207017658
  • Sterilite 32qt Latching Red Lid 1ct – 73149496669
  • Sterilite Clear Tote 64qt Latch 1ct – 73149497666
  • Sterilite Desk Top Unit 3Drawer 1ct – 73149179180
  • Sterilite Latch Box Clear 25Qt 1ct – 73149495662
  • Sterilite Stacker Tote Latching 4Gal 1ct – 73149148292
  • Sterilite Storage 15qtFreshScent 1ct – 73149101389
  • Storage Lg Clear Pink – 400028517076
  • Sweater Box Color 1 – 400026858249
  • Sweater Box Color 2 – 400026857419
  • Tote Red/Grn 1ct – 400026570219
  • Tote Red/Grn 1ct – 400026570394
  • TrueLiving 18 Gal Tote Red 1ct – 815207017399
  • TrueLiving 18 Gallon Tote Red 1ct – 815207017566
  • TrueLiving 30 Gal Tote Red 1ct – 815207017405
  • TrueLiving 30 Gallon Tote Red 1ct – 815207017559
  • Sterilite 16 Qt Storage Box with Lid, 1 ct – 73149644664
  • Sweater Box W/Red Lid 16qt 1ct – 430000088034

May 27, 2026 

  • Kit Kat Vanilla Standard Candy Bar – 34000238118
  • Kool-Aid Lollipop Dipper – 83933232878
  • M&M’s Minis Peanut Butter Chocolate Candies, 1.74oz – 040000587927
  • M&M’s PB & J Singles 1.63oz – 40000605539
  • Skittles Littles Original Skittles Mega Tube – 22000292940
  • Trolli Sour Brite Crawlers Minis Gummy Candy, 3.5oz – 4142008163

SURPRISE PENNIES

  • M&M’s Milk Chocolate Candy Theater Box, 3.1oz Box – 40000497523
  • M&M’s Peanut Butter & Jelly Candy, Sharing Size, 8.6oz Resealable Bulk Bag – 40000605577
  • M&M’s Peanut Butter Milk Chocolate Candy Theater Box, 3oz Box – 40000497561
  • M&M’s Peanut Milk Chocolate Candy Theater Box, 3.1oz Box – 40000497547
  • STARBURST All Pink Minis Fruit Chews Chewy Candy, 80z. Grab N Go Size Resealable Bag – 22000022837
  • Brown Dot Home – 90% off
  • Mother’s Day Seasonal & Party – 90% off