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Community Corner

Shop Locally: Saving Money on Back To School Items

Save money, stay close to home with these deals at stores in Stow and nearby

Who doesn’t love to save money and stick close to home while doing so?

There’s no need to drive far to save money on back to school supplies. We’ve scouted out great deals for you at stores in Stow and nearby.

Click to find out what supplies your child needs in any of Stow's schools — both private and public.

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Need a backpack or lunch kit? has basic backpacks and lunch kits from $3.99 to $9.99. If you are looking for a name brand backpack or one with licensed characters, you can find a good selection at from $9 up to $35.

If you need more than one backpack, head to , where they have a buy one backpack or messenger bag at $19.99 and get one free promotion through Aug. 20. Bonus: you also get a free lunch kit when you snap up this deal.

Find out what's happening in Stowwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Is a spiral notebook on your list? Through Aug. 17, is offering up to six, one-subject spiral notebooks for only one penny with a $5 minimum purchase. has spiral notebooks for twenty cents a piece and you can buy one, get one free at Walgreens.

Now is a great time to buy a new flash drive. Staples has the best deal in town with 8GB flash drives for $9.99. is also luring customers in with 4GB flash drives for $8.

A graphing calculator can be one of the most expensive school supplies you buy. Fortunately, you have options. A TI-84 Plus graphing calculator will cost you $95 at Wal-Mart or $90 at Target. Target is also running a special now that allows you to trade in your gently used graphing calculator to save up to $50.

To save the most money on a graphing calculator, consider buying one used from Craigslist or Ebay. A recent search on Craigslist for a TI-84 calculator turned up deals from $45 and up in the Akron-Canton area.

Do you have a fashion diva, but not the budget for one? Hit local thrift stores for used pieces to accent the new ones. T-shirts, leggings, camisoles and funky jewelry can all be found there. School uniform pieces — simple collar shirts, pants, skirts and sweaters are a fraction of the cost at thrift and consignment stores than what you would pay brand new.

For more upscale gently used clothing, check out Once Upon A Child, a consignment store in Stow. There you will find name brands such as Gap, Justice, Abercrombie and more in sizes up to 14. Because it is a consignment store, they get new items in daily. Visit often to find great deals and quality clothing.

Have back to school deals you want to share? Post them in the comments section! 

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