Dollar General operates a unique clearance system where certain items are reduced to one cent, known as "penny items." These items are typically discontinued, seasonal, or damaged products that the retailer aims to remove from inventory. The availability of these penny lists is sporadic and varies by location. Information about these lists is primarily distributed through third-party deal websites, such as The Freebie Guy, which aggregate and share updates based on reports from shoppers.
The Nature of Dollar General Penny Lists
Penny lists are not an official marketing program or a structured promotional offer from Dollar General. Instead, they represent an informal clearance event driven by inventory management. According to the source material, The Freebie Guy updates its Dollar General Penny List weekly when new items are scheduled to penny out. The site notes that "YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY ON THESE," indicating that availability is not guaranteed across all store locations. Shoppers are advised that the lists are a guide, and items may not be available at every store.
Frequency and Content of Updates
The source data provides a chronological record of penny list announcements from March through November 2025. These updates are inconsistent, with some weeks featuring a penny list and others having none. The lists often specify categories of items that will penny out. For example, updates from July 2025 mention penny lists for Memorial Day Flowers, Face Masks, and Candy. Other months show penny lists for specific categories such as Food Items + Medicine (May 27, 2025), Hostess products (May 26, 2025), Easter + Brown Dot items (May 23, 2025), and Freezer Food Items (April 7, 2025).
In addition to penny lists, the source material sometimes references "New Markdowns." These are separate from penny items and likely represent deeper discounts rather than one-cent pricing. For instance, on July 22, 2025, alongside a penny list for Memorial Day Flowers, there were new markdowns at 90% off socks. On November 11, 2025, a penny list was accompanied by new markdowns for Halloween items. This distinction suggests that while penny items are the primary focus, other significant clearance events may occur simultaneously.
How Shoppers Access Penny Lists
Because Dollar General does not officially publish these lists, consumers rely on third-party websites and community groups. The Freebie Guy serves as a central hub for this information, offering a dedicated page for the "Most Current Dollar General Penny Shopping List." The site recommends that beginners join the "Dollar General Penny Shopping group" to learn how to use the lists effectively. This group is described as a resource where readers post visuals of penny items and share information to help others identify products in-store.
The source material explicitly warns against screenshotting the list, urging users to share direct links instead. This suggests an effort to maintain the integrity of the information and ensure users receive the most current updates. Additionally, the site mentions a tool that can be used as a price checker to verify penny finds before heading to the register. This tool is likely a mobile app or website feature that allows shoppers to scan barcodes to confirm the current price, reducing the risk of purchasing items that have not yet been reduced to one cent.
Important Disclaimers and Limitations
The source material includes several disclaimers that are critical for understanding the nature of penny shopping. The most prominent is the statement that "YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY ON THESE." This means that even if an item is on the list, it may not be marked down to a penny in every store. Factors such as regional inventory, store management decisions, and how quickly items are removed from the floor can affect availability.
Furthermore, the source material does not provide any information on how to request these penny items, whether they are available online, or if there are any eligibility requirements beyond being able to locate the item in a physical store. The process described is entirely in-store and relies on the shopper's ability to find the item and verify its price at checkout.
The Role of Third-Party Aggregators
The Freebie Guy is presented as an independent operator funded by advertising, including affiliate commissions and sponsored posts. This context is important for evaluating the information provided. While the site aggregates data and provides updates, its primary function is to drive traffic and revenue through advertisements. The source material states: "TheFreebie Guy operates independently and is funded by advertising. Many of the promotions featured on our site come from companies that provide us with compensation. We might earn a small commission from affiliates if you click on a link and purchase a product. Occasionally, a post is sponsored by the product’s manufacturer, for which we receive a fee."
Despite this commercial context, the site appears to serve as a practical resource for deal seekers by compiling and sharing penny list information. However, it is not an official channel of Dollar General, and the information shared is based on user reports and internal sourcing rather than direct corporate announcements.
Categories of Penny Items
Based on the chronological list provided, penny items span a wide range of categories. This diversity indicates that the penny list is not limited to a single product type but encompasses various departments within the store. Examples from the source include:
- Food and Beverage: Candy, Hostess products, food items, freezer food items, and drinks.
- Health and Beauty: Face masks and medicine.
- Seasonal and Decor: Memorial Day flowers, Easter items, and Halloween decorations.
- Household and Apparel: Socks and Brown Dot home items (a Dollar General brand).
The inclusion of specific categories in the update notes helps shoppers focus their search. For example, a note about "Food Items + Medicine" on May 27, 2025, directs shoppers to those sections of the store. However, the source does not provide specific product names or UPC codes, which would be necessary to definitively identify penny items in-store.
Conclusion
Dollar General penny lists represent an unofficial and highly variable form of clearance shopping. Information about these lists is disseminated through third-party websites like The Freebie Guy, which compile weekly updates based on shopper reports. The lists are not guaranteed to be available in all stores, and items may vary by location and date. Shoppers interested in penny items are advised to use price-checking tools to verify costs and to join community groups for shared tips and visuals. The process is entirely in-store and relies on finding items that have been manually marked down to one cent. There is no official program or online component for accessing these penny items.