The Ultimate 2025 Dollar General Penny List Secrets: 7 Insider Tips To Score Items For Just 1 Cent

The Dollar General Penny List is one of the retail world's most exciting, and often confusing, secrets, offering shoppers the chance to purchase deeply discounted clearance items for just one single cent. This phenomenon is not an official promotion advertised by Dollar General but rather an internal system of markdowns that has been uncovered and exploited by savvy couponers and extreme shoppers across the country. As of December 2025, the penny list remains a weekly opportunity for massive savings, turning a routine shopping trip into a thrilling treasure hunt for items that are essentially free.

The key to successful penny shopping lies in knowing the system, understanding the markdown schedule, and using the right tools, primarily the Dollar General mobile app. These items are typically the final stage of clearance—products that did not sell even at 50% or 75% off—and are about to be pulled from shelves, but the store’s policy dictates they must be sold to the customer for one cent if identified. This guide provides the most current, essential information and insider tips you need to master the art of Dollar General penny shopping this year.

The Dollar General Penny List Phenomenon: A Comprehensive Profile

The "Dollar General Penny List" is not a person, but rather a weekly, unofficial inventory list that has achieved legendary status in the couponing community. It represents the final, unadvertised stage of Dollar General’s clearance process. Understanding its 'biography' is the first step to successful penny shopping.

• The Unseen Story Jessica Simpsons Battle For Privacy And Body Image In A Digital Age Mlvqa

• Concept Origin: The penny price point is a system used by Dollar General to signify a product is supposed to be removed from the shelf and is at the end of its life cycle in the store's inventory. It is an internal code, not a public sale.
• Frequency & Timing: New penny items are typically added to the system every Tuesday morning. This day is considered the prime time for penny shopping, as it is when the previous week's clearance items transition to the $0.01 price point.
• Product Categories: Penny items are almost always seasonal leftovers (e.g., Christmas candy in January, summer toys in September) or general merchandise that has been in the clearance cycle for several weeks. Common categories include seasonal decor, holiday candy, specific home goods, and occasionally beauty or food items.
• Discovery Method: The list itself is compiled and shared by a network of dedicated couponers who track clearance markdowns and use the Dollar General app's scanner to confirm the penny price before the items are physically removed from the store floor.
• Official Policy: According to reports from the couponing community, Dollar General’s internal policy is to honor the 1-cent price if the item rings up as such, and staff are instructed not to deny the sale or argue with customers about these items.

Unlocking the Penny List: How to Find the Weekly Deals

The biggest challenge for a new penny shopper is not the price, but finding the list and locating the items in the store. The list is never posted inside a Dollar General store, so you must rely on external resources and the DG app.

1. Tracking the Official Weekly Markdowns

The most reliable way to know what will penny out is to monitor the previous week's 90% off clearance. Items that have been sitting at 90% off for a week or more are the prime candidates to drop to one cent. The weekly markdown schedule generally follows a pattern:

• Seasonal Items: These are the most common penny items. Once a holiday or season ends (e.g., Easter, Back-to-School, Spring), the related merchandise goes through a rapid clearance cycle: 25% off, 50% off, 70% off, 90% off, and finally, $0.01.
• Surprise Penny Lists: Occasionally, a non-seasonal category, like a specific brand of cereal or a line of cleaning supplies, will "surprise penny out." These are harder to predict and are usually discovered by shoppers scanning random items.

2. The Essential Tool: The DG App Scanner

You cannot penny shop without the Dollar General mobile app. The app contains a barcode scanner that is the only reliable way for a customer to verify the price of an item before reaching the register. The price on the shelf tag is often wrong or outdated, and relying on it will lead to frustration.

• Shania Twains Bold Statement Why The Star Chose Nude Photoshoots At 57 Qf9cg

• How to Use the Scanner: Open the Dollar General app, navigate to the barcode scanner (usually a small icon in the corner), and scan the item's UPC.
• The Penny Price: If the item is on the penny list, the app will display a price of $0.01. If it shows the full price or a clearance price higher than $0.01, it is not a penny item.
• Self-Correction: Always use the app to scan items you suspect are on the list. Do not rely on store employees to check the price for you, as they may not be aware of the penny status or may be instructed not to assist with penny item location.

7 Insider Tips for Mastering Dollar General Penny Shopping

To maximize your success and avoid issues at the register, follow these expert-level tips and understand the etiquette of penny shopping.

1. Shop Early on Tuesday Morning

Since the new lists typically drop on Tuesday, the best time to shop is right when the store opens. This gives you the best chance to find the items before staff have a chance to pull them from the shelves or before other penny shoppers clear them out.

2. Know the Item Details (SKU and UPC)

The official penny lists shared online will often include not just a description, but also the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) or Universal Product Code (UPC). Use these numbers to cross-reference with the item in the store. Sometimes, only a specific color or size of a product will penny out, so matching the codes is crucial for accuracy.

• The Untouchable Privacy 7 Secrets Of Rachel Mcadams And Jamie Lindens Life Beyond The Red Carpet E820e

3. Look Beyond the Clearance Aisle

While many penny items are found in the designated clearance section, successful shoppers know to look in the original product aisle. Often, staff miss a few items when pulling them for clearance, and these forgotten items are the ones that drop to a penny while still sitting on the standard shelf.

4. Be Discreet and Courteous

Penny shopping is an unofficial activity. Do not ask staff about the "penny list." Simply ask if you can scan a few items with the app to check the price. Be respectful of employees' time and the store's operations. A positive relationship with the staff can make your shopping experience much smoother.

5. Prepare Your List and Screenshots

Before you enter the store, have a clear, updated list of the week’s penny items. It is also wise to keep screenshots of the official Dollar General policy (to sell the item at 1 cent if it rings up as such) on your phone, in the rare event that a new employee is unaware of the procedure.

6. The "Dud" Scan Strategy

If you have a cart full of potential penny items, mix them in with a few regular-priced items. This is a subtle strategy to avoid drawing attention to a cart full of items all ringing up for $0.01, which can sometimes cause confusion or delays at checkout.

7. Understand the "No Price Guarantee"

The Dollar General app is generally accurate, but it is not 100% foolproof. There are rare instances where the app is wrong, or a specific store's system hasn't updated. Be prepared for the possibility that an item you thought was a penny will ring up at a higher price. If this happens, simply decline the purchase politely and move on. Arguing is counterproductive and goes against good penny shopping etiquette.

The Topical Authority of Penny Shopping: Why It Matters

The Dollar General penny list is more than just a source of extreme discounts; it is a powerful example of how community-driven knowledge can leverage corporate inventory systems for consumer benefit. By mastering the penny list, shoppers can significantly reduce their household expenses, acquire items for donation, or stock up on non-perishables and seasonal goods for the following year. It transforms the concept of "clearance" from a passive discount into an active, strategic pursuit.

For those new to the game, start small. Focus on one category—like the current season's holiday candy or a specific line of toys—and use the DG app to scan every item in that section. With persistence and the right information from the weekly updated lists, you will soon join the ranks of successful penny shoppers, turning one cent into massive savings every Tuesday.