Shop Smart and Save Money on Supplies in Stow

You don't need to be smarter than a fifth grader to know that shopping smart equals saving money. So we’ve done the homework for you to score some sweet savings on school supplies and more.

Shopping smart begins with knowing exactly what school supplies your child needs.

• For , click on this link, go to "Schools" and click on the name of your child's building to find out the supply list.
• Parents of students at can click on this link, go to "Parent/Student Resources" at the top of the page and click on "Supply Lists." 
• This link to Cornerstone Community School will bring up the page for "Classroom Supply Lists." 

Now you’re ready to go shopping.

Knowing coupon policies for large retail stores can save you big bucks. For example, Target on Kent Road will accept one manufacturer coupon and one Target coupon for the same item.Take advantage of that by downloading coupons directly from the Target website and print at home.

Wal-Mart will accept competitor’s coupons with some limitations, which Target does not. Both stores have a price-match policy in which they will honor sale prices from their competition.

Wal-Mart’s policy states the customer does not need to have the competitor’s ad with them to honor the price, unlike Target where the customer must have the entire circular with them that includes the dates for the sale prices. Both stores honor print-at-home Internet coupons.

has its own back to school special for a limited time: purchase gift cards for stores you are planning to shop at for clothes and school supplies – think American Eagle, Best Buy, Dicks and so on. For every $50 spent in gift cards, you will receive 20 cents off per gallon of gas in fuel perks.

That will make you smile as you drive your kids to all of their after-school, before-school and not-even-related-to-school activities once the new year begins.

Remember life without Facebook? Me neither. So use it to your advantage. There are some fabulous savings sites on Facebook, such as Hot Coupons, where coupons are posted and you can print them off at home to use in the store.

If you like Coupons.com on Facebook, you can print their coupons direct from home as well. Now through August 29, Marc’s discount store is giving away a 64 GB iPad or a $100 Marc’s gift card for simply liking their Facebook page. Just about every major retailer has a Facebook page filled with deals and coupons for fans who "like" their page. Search for your favorite stores and start saving!

Coming up Monday, we’ll highlight the week’s hottest deals in the area for you. Plus, we’ll help you think creatively when shopping for back to school clothing and gadgets.