Dan Caplinger

Middle class and below, though, it's been a big struggle.

Higher inflation, higher prices on the things that they need the most.

It's become really essential for them as shoppers to find value anywhere that they can.

And that is the justification for my pick.

Dollar General, which is ticker DG, has been an increasingly popular destination for shoppers who are trying to save some money, make their budgets work in a difficult time.

Now, I'll tell you, if you've never been in a Dollar General, you might not know what I'm talking about.

But I'll be the first to admit, the store experience of Dollar General isn't necessarily for everybody.

We're not talking about a Target.

We're not talking about a Walmart.

Dollar General stores can feel cramped.

Sometimes the goods are disorganized.

It can be hard to find what you're looking for.

It used to be that at least the crowning jewel of the Dollar General was, you'd go in, you'd buy a certain number of things, you'd multiply by $1, and that's how much you were going to pay.

Those days are long gone.

Both Dollar General and pretty much every dollar store out there have succumbed to inflationary pressures, but also to the fact that they want to offer a broader mix of products.

Not everything you're going to buy at a dollar store like Dollar General is going to cost you a dollar, but in general, the value is there.

Not only that, but

Dollar General has quietly become one of the most ubiquitous chains in retail.

Anybody outside of a major metropolitan area can attest to the fact that oftentimes, it's those yellow signs and those dinky little box-shaped stores that are the most convenient place to go to get the things that you need.

Close to 21,000 stores in the U.S.