Frugal Family: Living Life On the Cheap

• Acme Fresh Market, 3979 Medina Rd., Fairlawn, 330-666-6781; 2630 Bailey Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 330-923-1417; 2226 State Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 330-923-2717. Home-grown Acme has been in Northeast Ohio for more than a century, which is a long time in the super-competitive grocery business. Acme competes with weekly specials like these: sirloin steak $3.99 per pound; salad blends $1.99; Kellogg’s cereals, 8.7-15 oz. sizes, $1.99 each. The prices apply to holders of Acme cards. Print coupons from the Acme website for more deals. You can place orders online.    

• Tiffany’s Bakery, 620 Ridgewood Crossing Drive, Fairlawn, 330-668-2253. Tiffany’s is holding its annual ice cream social on April 2. On that Saturday you can get a free small soft-serve ice cream cone. You can’t get any more frugal than free. Enormous, fresh glazed doughnuts are 99 cents. Cookies start at 79 cents, and apple pie is $9.95. Deli sandwiches and wraps range from $5.95 to $7.49. Wedding cakes are $3.50 per serving, $3.75 per serving with specialty filling.  Hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The bare-bones Tiffany’s website doesn’t have much information, so your best bet is to go in person. Call ahead for lunch orders; 330-668-2253.   

• Dollar Tree Stores, 3750 W. Market St., Fairlawn, 330-665-4278. From candy to cleaning supplies to chochkies to holiday decorations, everything is one dollar at the Dollar Tree. It’s a good source for inexpensive stuff that you won’t feel bad about losing or breaking after one use. Hey, it only cost a buck, right?

• Family Video, 2967 State Road, Cuyahoga Falls, 330-929-0269; 1250 Northmoreland Blvd., Cuyahoga Falls, 330-923-2500. The Blockbuster is gone on Graham Road, but Family Video is still alive. New releases are usually $2.97 for one night, older releases range from $1 to $2 for five nights. Kids movies are free, as are sports and recreation videos and educational material. New members get a 50 percent discount on rentals.  

• The Whistle Stop, 2146 Front Street, Cuyahoga Falls, 330-928-8984. Nestled in the Cuyahoga Falls River Square shopping area, The Whistle Stop is a toy and hobby shop. Train and car enthusiasts will get a kick out of this. Rockets, remote controls, kits, paints, knowledgeable owner and help.