Back to School: Shop Smart, Save More

School starts in only a few weeks. Have you bought your No. 2 pencils yet?

There’s still time, and we’ve scouted out some of the best deals in this area for back to school savings. Keep reading for tips to help you shop smart, shop locally and save money on school supplies for the upcoming year.

Shopping smart begins with making sure your child has everything their school requires.

We’ve made it easy for you to view the online school supply lists.

• Cuyahoga Falls City Schools students click here, go to Schools and then click on the name of your school for their own supply list.

• Click here for the school supply lists for Woodridge Local Schools.

Take advantage of the fact that stores like Target and Wal-Mart want your business. Target’s coupon policy states they will honor one Target coupon and one Manufacturer coupon for the same item.

Wal-Mart’s coupon policy accepts competitor’s coupons, which Target does not. They both have a price match policy, where they will sometimes match a lower price in a competitor’s circular. See the store website or talk to the store manager for specific details and restrictions.

Know where to go for buy one, get one free promotions. Walgreens is having one on backpacks and messenger bags right now for $19.99.

For pricey graphing calculators, consider buying used from Ebay or Craigslist. Need a new one? Target will offer up to $50 for a gently used graphing calculator which you can put toward a new one.

Now through August 17, you can purchase up to six spiral notebooks Staples on Howe Road for one cent a piece with a five dollar minimum purchase.

Discount Drug Mart has spiral notebooks for twenty cents a piece and you can buy one, get one free at .

Buy gift cards at Giant Eagle for back to school purchases at other local department stores and they will give you 20 cents off per gallon of fuel for every $50 spent in gift cards.

If you really want to save a bundle and don’t mind gently used clothing, make sure to visit secondhand stores such as Village Discount Outlet on State Road or Plato’s Closet on Howe Avenue for trendy clothing and accessories up to seventy percent off retail value.

Don’t forget online promotions. It pays to be a fan of Facebook, literally. Facebook sites, such as Hot Coupons and Coupons.com allow you to print their coupons for food, health and beauty products from home. Search for your favorite retail stores to find their promotions as well.

Let the savings of the new school year begin!