Additional Coverage:
- 13 Walmart Finds I Once Overlooked (Now They’re Must-Haves) (financebuzz.com)
Walmart Wonders: Unexpected Finds That Became Must-Haves
We’ve all been there: a quick trip to Walmart for just a few essentials morphs into an exciting treasure hunt, leaving us with a cart full of unexpected delights. These “hidden gems” aren’t just fun finds; they’re smart ways to save money without sacrificing quality. Our reporter has rounded up 13 Walmart items they never anticipated buying, but now can’t live without.
(Editor’s Note: Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location.)
1. Ozark Trail Tumbler
Price: $15.67
This 40-ounce, vacuum-insulated stainless steel tumbler isn’t just a pretty face (though it does come in a variety of colors like electric blue, hot pink, and lilac!). Customers rave about its quality, with one noting, “The cup was well thought out and better than most expensive tumblers.
The large handle is comfortable to hold. The bottom part is padded, making it feel high-quality.”
2. Great Value Twist & Shout Chocolate Flavor Sandwich Cookies
Price: $3.37
Move over, Oreos! Walmart’s Great Value Twist & Shout Chocolate Flavor Sandwich Cookies offer a delicious, budget-friendly alternative.
At under 18 cents per ounce compared to Oreos’ 28 cents per ounce, these cookies deliver significant savings. Many customers even claim they taste just as good, if not better, than the name brand.
3. Equate Daily Moisturizing Lotion with Colloidal Oatmeal
Price: $5.98
For long-lasting hydration, look no further than this 18-ounce bottle of Equate Daily Moisturizing Lotion. When compared to the pricier Aveeno Active Naturals Daily Moisturizing Lotion ($16.70 for only 12 ounces), the value here is undeniable.
4. Mainstays Cozy Plush Throw Blanket
Price: $7.34
Snuggle up with the Mainstays Cozy Plush Throw Blanket. This 50-by-60-inch throw, available in various colors, boasts a 4.7-star rating and nearly 1,300 five-star reviews. As one happy customer put it, “This throw is so cute, warm, and soft.”
5. Better Homes & Gardens Warm Spring Sunshine Candle
Price: $11.20
Infuse your home with a beautiful scent and warm ambiance with the Better Homes & Gardens Warm Spring Sunshine Candle. This 12-ounce, two-wick candle is a customer favorite, with reviews praising its “wonderful” smell and “luxurious” feel.
6. No Boundaries High-Rise Ankle Leggings
Price: $5.48
A true fashion essential, Walmart’s No Boundaries High-Rise Ankle Leggings are quickly becoming a wardrobe staple. With a 27-inch inseam and a 4.4-star overall rating, these leggings offer comfort and style at an unbeatable price.
7. Equate Ibuprofen
Price: $7.98
Never run out of pain relief again with this 500-count bottle of Equate Ibuprofen. This bulk purchase is a deal that will keep you stocked for months, making it a Walmart find you won’t want to miss.
8. Melamine Dinnerware Set
Price: $35.99 (originally $39.99)
Elevate your dining experience with a Melamine Dinnerware Set, available in blue, dark blue, green, light blue, and purple, each with a unique design. These sets cleverly mimic high-end dinnerware, offering a luxurious look without the hefty price tag. For example, the dark blue option resembles the Mikasa Darcy Dinnerware Set (typically $121.26), and the “Green” choice is a dead ringer for the Euro Ceramica Charlotte Dinnerware Set ($83.51).
9. Great Value Colby & Monterey Jack Block Cheese
Price: $3.58
Versatile and delicious, an 8-ounce block of Great Value Colby & Monterey Jack cheese is a customer favorite. Perfect for cubing, slicing, or shredding, this cheese has garnered numerous five-star reviews, with one customer declaring, “It is as good as name-brand cheeses without the higher price.”
10. Equate Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelette Wipes
Price: $6.12
Once you try makeup remover wipes, there’s no going back! Walmart’s Equate brand offers 80 alcohol-free, oil-free wipes for less than eight cents each. These high-quality wipes are a fantastic, more affordable alternative to Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes, which cost nearly 23 cents per wipe at other retailers.
11. Great Value Burrito Flour Tortillas
Price: $2.12
These Great Value Burrito Flour Tortillas are a game-changer. An eight-count pack will quickly become a pantry staple.
Customers can’t get enough, with one sharing they are “Remarkably better than all the other tortilla brands,” and another raving, “The tortillas are soft, fresh, and the flavor is on point. They can pass for homemade tortillas.”
12. Mainstays Meal Prep Food Storage Containers
Price: $4.93 (originally $6.72)
Meal prepping just got easier and more affordable! This 10-piece set includes five high-quality, two-compartment containers and five lids, perfect for planning meals or storing leftovers. Plus, they’re microwave-safe for ultimate convenience.
13. Great Value Fruit & Grain Cereal Bars
Price: $7.56
Stock your pantry with a 32-count variety pack of Great Value Fruit & Grain Cereal Bars for a nutritious and convenient snack. This pack includes 16 strawberry, eight apple, and eight mixed berry bars, each just 130 calories and naturally flavored. One customer enthusiastically shared, “These bars are absolutely wonderful, they are better than the name brand.”
The Bottom Line
These Walmart finds started as simple pick-ups, but they’ve quickly become essential items in our reporter’s shopping cart. By discovering these unexpected treasures, you can stretch your budget and find new favorites.
Don’t forget to explore other grocery budget hacks and consider using a cash-back credit card (paying off your balance in full each month, of course!) to maximize your savings on every Walmart run.
Read More About This Story:
- 13 Walmart Finds I Once Overlooked (Now They’re Must-Haves) (financebuzz.com)