The provided source materials describe a cost-saving method known as the Dollar General Penny List. This program is not a traditional free sample or promotional offer in the sense of a mail-in rebate or a no-cost trial of a new product. Instead, it is an in-store clearance strategy where specific items are marked down to a price of one cent ($0.01). According to the documentation, these penny items are typically products that Dollar General intends to remove from inventory. The penny price serves as a signal to store employees to discard the items. However, if these items are accidentally left on the shelves, customers are permitted to purchase them at the register for the one-cent price.
This article details how the Penny List functions, the schedule of markdowns, and the strategies consumers use to locate these items, based entirely on the information contained in the provided sources.
What is the Dollar General Penny List?
The Dollar General Penny List is a recurring, unofficial list of specific items that will ring up for $0.01 at Dollar General stores. The list changes weekly, with updates typically posted by deal websites on Monday afternoons. The core concept relies on the store's internal markdown schedule. Products that have been heavily discounted—often by more than 90%—eventually reach the one-cent threshold.
According to the source material, these penny items are considered "mistakes" by the retailer. They are specific products marked down to $0.01 so that store employees know to remove them from the sales floor. The documentation suggests that employees sometimes miss pulling these items, leaving them available for customers to purchase.
The sources indicate that penny markdowns usually happen on Tuesdays. Therefore, visiting a store early on a Tuesday is the recommended time to search for these items. While the Penny List identifies specific products that have reached the one-cent price point, consumers can also look for items currently marked at 90% off. These items are expected to drop to the penny price in the near future, potentially within a week or a few weeks.
The Penny List Schedule and Frequency
The provided source materials include a detailed log of penny list activity for several months in 2025. This log demonstrates that the list is not guaranteed to be released every week. There are frequent instances of "No Penny List" entries, indicating that on certain weeks, no specific items were scheduled to penny out.
Examples of Penny List Activity (2025)
The following data points illustrate the variability of the program based on the source logs:
- November 2025: A list was available for November 11, featuring specific Alani Nu products (protein bars and energy sticks) and Halloween merchandise at 70% off.
- July 2025: The month saw a mix of activity. On July 29, there was no penny list, but new markdowns occurred. On July 22, penny items included Memorial Day Flowers, and new markdowns included socks at 90% off.
- June 2025: Activity varied. June 17 had no penny list and no new markdowns, while June 10 had both a penny list and new markdowns.
- May 2025: This month showed consistent activity, with penny lists appearing almost every week. Categories included food items, medicine, Hostess brand products, and Easter merchandise.
- April 2025: This month had several weeks with "No Penny List" but with new markdowns occurring (April 22, 15, and 8). A specific penny list for freezer food items was noted on April 7.
- March 2025: Similar to other months, there were weeks with penny lists (March 18) and weeks without (March 25).
This historical data suggests that consumers should not expect a penny list every single week. The availability depends on the inventory levels and the specific markdown schedule of the stores.
How to Find Penny Items In-Store
Locating penny items requires a physical visit to a Dollar General store. The sources emphasize that these deals cannot be found online or via the app; they must be hunted for on the shelves. The process involves identifying the specific items listed for the week and checking the store's inventory.
Identification and Verification
The sources provide specific UPC codes for items on the penny list. For example, the November 11, 2025 list included: * Alani Nu Peanut Butter & Jelly Protein Bar, 1.83 oz — UPC: 810030517269 * Alani Nu Munchies Protein Bar, 1.69 oz — UPC: 810030518051 * Alani Nu Breezeberry Energy Sticks, 10 ct — UPC: 810030515074
Consumers are advised to pay close attention to the size, flavor, and count of the item, as these details are crucial for matching the product to the list. A product that looks similar but has a different size or UPC code will likely not ring up for one cent.
Store Layout and Search Strategy
The documentation suggests that penny items might be "hiding" on store shelves. Because these items are slated for removal, they may not be in their usual product category locations. They might be found on end caps, in clearance bins, or tucked away in less trafficked areas of the store. The sources recommend checking the store early on Tuesdays, which is identified as the typical markdown day.
Interacting with Cashiers
The sources offer guidance on what to expect at the register. Since penny items are technically errors, the transaction may require explanation. The documentation advises shoppers on what to say to cashiers to ensure the items ring up correctly. However, the specific phrasing is not detailed in the provided text. It is implied that the transaction relies on the item scanning at the register as $0.01.
Relationship to Other Dollar General Savings Strategies
While the Penny List is a distinct method of saving, the sources also mention other ways to save money at Dollar General. It is important to distinguish the Penny List from these other methods, as they operate differently.
Digital Coupons and Coupon Stacking
Source [3] states that the "very best way to save money at Dollar General is to use digital coupons from the Dollar General coupon app." This refers to standard savings on regularly priced or sale items, which is different from the Penny List's clearance-based pricing.
Source [4] details the rules for coupon stacking: * Store and Manufacturer Coupons: These can be stacked. Store coupons are labeled "DG store" and manufacturer coupons are labeled "Manufacturer." * Cash-Back Offers: DG store coupons can be stacked with DG cash-back offers. However, digital manufacturer coupons cannot be stacked with DG cash-back offers. If both are clipped, the manufacturer coupon is used first.
Saturday Scenarios
Source [4] mentions "Saturday Scenarios," which involve using printed coupons. The text notes that coupons printed with a receipt on Saturdays are typically valid for the following Saturday. This requires shopping earlier in the week to accumulate coupons for the upcoming Saturday. A pro-tip provided is to hand over a printed "$5 off $25" coupon before entering a phone number for digital coupons to ensure proper application.
Summary of Consumer Guidance
The provided materials outline a specific set of behaviors for consumers interested in the Penny List:
- Monitor Updates: Check reliable deal websites on Monday afternoons for the updated list.
- Verify Items: Match the UPC, size, and flavor of items on the list to those on the shelf.
- Time the Visit: Visit the store early on Tuesdays for the best chance of finding items that have just been marked down.
- Inspect Thoroughly: Look in all areas of the store, not just the expected aisles, as penny items are often misplaced.
- Prepare for the Register: Be aware that the items should ring up for $0.01, and be ready to explain the purchase if necessary.
Conclusion
The Dollar General Penny List represents an extreme form of clearance shopping rather than a free sample program. It is an unofficial, variable system where items marked for removal are sold for one cent if found on the sales floor. Success in this method relies on diligent monitoring of weekly lists, understanding the internal markdown schedule, and physically searching store shelves. While other savings methods exist at Dollar General, such as digital coupon stacking and Saturday scenarios, the Penny List operates on a separate mechanism of inventory clearance.