My Top 10 discount stores and how to get best bargains | Doreen Christensen

Big Lots! sells furniture, mattresses, home decor and sundry food items for cheap and reguarly offers 20 percent off coupons sent to your inbox if you sign up for emails. Join the free Big Rewards club and get $5-off coupons with three qualifying purchases. Locations and rewards . (Big Lots/Courtesy)

I regularly visit a circuit of discount stores, and I bet there are a few on my list you’ve never heard of.

Of course, there are those old standbys — Marshalls and TJ Maxx — but you can really up your savings game by visiting lesser known off-price retailers tucked away in strip malls and shopping plazas. Ever heard of DD’s Discounts? How about Dillard’s Clearance Center?

I love designer goods, but never pay retail for anything. I regularly make the rounds at these off-price retailers ,I scoop up savings on housewares, linens, seasonal decor and fashions and accessories with Michael Kors, Kate Spade and Calvin Klein labels. Usually, these brands cost twice the price on sale in department stores.

If you’re on a budget or just hunting for treasure, seek out these chains to be richly rewarded with deals on just about anything you may need.

These are my Top 10 picks.

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1. Ross Dress for Less

(Ross Dress for Less/Courtesy )

This is my No. 1 go-to store. Over the years, I’ve been burned on price at department stores after finding the same merchandise at half the price at Ross. I recently purchased a pair of pricey Vionic sandals for $25 (regularly $80). The same sandals were on a clearance rack at DSW for $48! I get huge savings on sterling silver jewelry, and regularly find Michael Kors, Dooney & Bourke purses and Calvin Klein dresses and blouses on clearance racks. You will, too, if you stop in regularly at Ross.

2. DD’s Discounts

(DD’s Discounts/Courtesy)

This chain, which opened in 2004, is run by Ross, and it has better prices on some of the same goods. Like Ross, it’s expanding. Check out the knock-off designer perfumes and colognes. I got a close facsimile of Chanel No. 5 L’Eau for $3.99 (don’t judge). I also have found name-brand merchandise (a 50-foot Pocket Hose) for a few bucks less than at Ross. There are locations in Fort Lauderdale, Margate and Palm Springs and it’s worth a drive if you don’t live nearby. Sign up for email alerts at ddsdiscounts.com.

3. Tuesday Morning

(Tuesday Morning/Courtesy)

This retailer, with 700 stores nationwide, sells leftover inventory of name-brand goods at rock bottom prices. Find an array of home goods and other designer items. This is my go-to spot for high-end sheets, towels, comforters and small appliances. Hit the clearance aisle and find a color-coded system that nets additional discounts. Yellow stickers offer an extra 20 percent off, orange is 40 percent off and yellow yields 60 percent off.

4. Dillard’s Clearance Center

(Dillard’s/Courtesy)

The department store’s outlet is a well-kept secret. If you haven’t been to this bargain heaven in the Boynton Beach Mall, you must go. I’ve scored cheap Ralph Lauren shirts for men for $25 (regularly $70) and designer slacks for as little as $5. Be prepared to spend time digging.

5. Dollar Tree

(Dollar Tree/Courtesy)

I needed a pill cutter recently and found one at CVS for $7.99. Seriously? No way. I got one at the Dollar Tree for a buck. Nearly everything is $1 and some merchandise is two for a $1. Did you know Dollar Tree accepts manufacturer coupons? That means you can get items for close to free. Stores occasionally offer 10-percent -off coupons with a $10 purchase. Sign up for emails at DollarTree.com so you don’t miss out.

6. Big Lots

(Big Lots/Courtesy )

Remember when this chain used to be called Odd Lots? Today, Big Lots still pays homage to its closeout roots, selling furniture, mattresses, home decor and sundry food and household items for cheap. I stock up on Campbell’s soup, cereal and other pantry staples. It’s also a great place for Christmas decorations (less than 75 days to go!). Sign up for emails to get 20-percent-off coupons and join the free Big Rewards club in stores or at BigLots.com to get $5-off coupons with qualifying purchases.

7. BrandsMart U.S.A.

(BrandsMart USA/Courtesy)

It’s impossible to beat this South Florida-based chain for rock-bottom prices on electronics and home appliances. There also is a clearance center in Davie. I purchased a Frigidaire stainless-steel convection oven and refrigerator with water and ice dispenser on the door for under $1,200, which included delivery. The chain also is well-known for its bargains on Black Friday, which is Nov. 23, by the way. BrandsMart offers a 110 percent price-back guarantee on most items, so you know you’re getting the best price.

8. Stein Mart

(Stein Mart/Courtesy)

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This discount department store sells high-quality fashion brands and housewares at fair prices, but use a coupon — especially during clearance sales — and you can really bag some bargains. Become a Preferred Customer at Steinmart.com (it’s free to join) and get offers sent to your inbox. Credit cardholders also earn dollars-off coupons with purchases. Use a coupon for $10 off a $30 purchase from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 12-13.

9. Five Below

(Five Below/Courtesy )

The Philadelphia-based retailer offers trendy merchandise for $1 to $5. The fast-growing chain, already with 725 stores in 33 states, is a twist on the dollar-store concept. It caters to ’tweens and teens, carrying name brands like Disney, Lego and Marvel. I’ve bought cheap charging cords for electronics and candy for the kids.

10. Macy’s Backstage

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Macy’s Backstage is a discount store-within-a-store that operates inside Macy’s department stores in more than 160 locations across 35 states.(There is one at the Boynton Beach Mall, near Dillard’s outlet.) Find specially curated apparel, shoes and accessories for men, women and children, housewares, home decor and toys. It’s similar to Marshalls. Sadly, Macy’s coupons are not accepted.

I’ve got more amazing off-price retailers plus savings tips on my Shop-O-Matic Blog at SunSentinel.com/DiscountRetailers.

Connect with me: Facebook.com/DoreensDeals, Twitter.com/PrettyGoodIdeas or email [email protected].