Dollar General offers several avenues for consumers to obtain products at significantly reduced costs or for free, primarily through digital couponing, structured discount programs, and a unique clearance system known as "penny shopping." While the retailer does not typically offer traditional mail-in free samples of beauty or household goods, it provides substantial savings through in-store mechanisms and targeted promotions. Understanding how to utilize the Dollar General app, identify penny items, and access specific discounts is essential for maximizing value at this retailer.
Digital Couponing and Store Scenarios
The most reliable method for securing free or heavily discounted products at Dollar General involves the use of digital coupons available through the Dollar General app. According to source [1], the "very best way" to save money is to combine manufacturer coupons with Dollar General store coupons. The retailer allows coupon stacking, enabling customers to pair DG store coupons with digital manufacturer coupons to increase savings [5].
Dollar General frequently releases "Scenario" deals that utilize these stacked coupons to lower the total cost of a shopping trip to near zero. These scenarios are structured lists of specific items that, when purchased together with the appropriate clipped digital coupons, result in a final price as low as $7.05 for over $20 worth of merchandise [5]. Examples of items included in these scenarios range from laundry detergents (All, Snuggle), personal care products (Gold Bond lotion, Eucerin, Colgate toothpaste), and household cleaners (Mr. Clean, Febreze) to health products (Mucinex) and paper goods [5].
In addition to weekly scenarios, Dollar General offers a recurring $5 off $25 store coupon. Source [7] notes that this coupon is often available on the Dollar General app, online, or at the bottom of a receipt. To redeem these digital offers, users must clip the coupons to their account in the app and enter their phone number at the register [5], [7].
The Dollar General Penny List
A distinct method for acquiring items for free (priced at $0.01) is the "Penny List." This is a curated list of specific items scheduled for final markdown to one cent. Source [6] explains that these items are typically those that have been discontinued or are out of season. The discounts on these items increase weekly until they eventually reach the penny price point. The list is dynamic, changing weekly, with updates typically posted on Monday afternoons, and penny shopping occurs in-store on Tuesdays [6].
To successfully penny shop, customers must physically visit a Dollar General store to hunt for these items, as they are not advertised on shelves. Source [2] advises that penny items may be located in clearance sections, on endcaps, or potentially hidden behind other merchandise. It is recommended to use the Dollar General app to scan items to verify the penny price before taking them to the register, as the shelf tag may still show a higher price [6].
Recent Penny Item Examples
Source [6] provided a sample list of penny items scheduled for November 11, 2025. These items included specific protein bars and energy sticks from the Alani Nu brand. The specific items and their UPCs listed were: * 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)
Source [2] also notes that readers of TheFreebieGuy.com often post visuals of the current penny list, providing a visual aid for shoppers. However, source [2] explicitly warns that inventory varies significantly by location ("YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY"), meaning an item on the list is not guaranteed to be available at every store.
Veterans Day Discounts and Promotions
Dollar General provides specific discount programs for military personnel and veterans. According to source [3], Dollar General offers an 11% discount on Veterans Day (November 11) to veterans and those currently serving. While this source lists various food freebies available at other restaurants on Veterans Day (such as free pulled pork sandwiches at Dickey's Barbecue Pit or free coffee at Einstein Bros. Bagels), the specific free food offers do not apply to Dollar General. The Dollar General offer is strictly a discount on purchases rather than a free product giveaway.
Community Resources and Deal Tracking
Several third-party websites track and analyze Dollar General deals to help consumers navigate these savings opportunities. These resources are frequently cited in the source material as places to find updated penny lists, coupon matchups, and scenario deals.
- TheFreebieGuy.com: This site provides tutorials on penny shopping, maintains a Master Penny Shopping List, and explains Dollar General’s penny shopping policy [1], [2].
- CrazyForCouponing.com: Described as a destination for Dollar General deals, coupon matchups, and clearance alerts, this site focuses on helping shoppers stack coupons to score freebies [4].
- The Krazycouponlady.com: This resource provides guidance on how to find penny items, where they might be located in the store, and how to handle the checkout process [6].
Conclusion
Dollar General does not offer traditional mail-in free samples of consumer packaged goods. Instead, the retailer provides value through digital couponing strategies, structured shopping scenarios, and a clearance system that allows for the purchase of specific discontinued items for one cent. The primary tool for consumers is the Dollar General app, which facilitates coupon clipping and price verification. Success in acquiring "freebies" or near-free items requires active participation: monitoring weekly scenario deals, clipping digital coupons, and physically visiting stores to search for penny-listed inventory. Shoppers should rely on verified community resources for up-to-date lists and strategies, keeping in mind that inventory and pricing are subject to store-level variations.