How Can I Save Money Using Coupons and Cards?

“I’m trying to be more frugal this year, and I saw on the news that there are ways to save money shopping by using coupons, and AAA and AARP cards. Can you help me find out where I can use the cards?” The Newton Falls Public Library staff also likes to save money, so this question inspired a great deal of curiosity.

We first checked the websites for each of these cards and found long lists of places which give discounts either online or in the stores. Among the offerings at www.AARP.com, cardholders can get discounts on some paperback and AARP books at Borders. Walgreens has online savings. There are companies offering savings in the categories of Retail, Fitness, Health, Home & Technology, Travel, and Apparel & More. AARP has a Grocery Coupon Center that cardholders may access. Senior citizens can also take advantage of discounts using their Golden Buckeye Card. “All Ohioans age 60 or better, as well as adults age 18-59 who have disabilities as defined by Social Security, are eligible for a free Golden Buckeye Card [http://aging.ohio.gov/goldenbuckeye].” The Golden Buckeye Card’s website allows you to input the name of a town and see which merchants there offer discounts. If you didn’t receive your card upon turning 60 years old, one may be requested at the Newton Falls Public Library.www.AAA.com lists Retail & Services, Dining, Automotive, Attractions & Entertainment, Travel & Transportation, and Hotels & Lodging offering discounts. The staff was surprised to find that in our area, participating New York & Company, Payless Shoes, Napa, and Aurora Farms Outlets stores offer discounts when you show your AAA card. There are also online stores, such as Target.com, which let shoppers save with their cards.

Coupons are another way to save money. There are numerous sites available online, including www.coupons.com, www.fatwallet.com, www.thecouponclippers.com, and www.valpak.com which is specific to your community. Card holders may access these and other sites using the library’s public access computers.

For those looking for more money saving ideas consider borrowing The Frugal Senior: hundreds of creative ways to stretch a dollar! by Rich Gray, Real Simple, Consumer Reports, Heloise from A to Z by Heloise, Best Buys for Your Home, The Frugal Shopper Checklist Book: what you need to know to win in the marketplace, and Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings by Jennifer Thorne Amann et al. Besides borrowing books about saving money, using the Newton Falls Public Library is a very frugal step to take. We offer free access to the Internet, books, movies, music, magazines, newspapers, programs, and more.

What was the old Leavittsburg High School mascot?

“I was wondering about what the mascot for Leavittsburg School District was before it merged with Braceville, and became LaBrae.” The Newton Falls Public Library staff enjoys questions dealing about our area.

Having little print information about Leavittsburg, Ohio, as our Local History Room focuses primarily on Newton Falls and Newton Township, our staff began an Internet search. The school district’s website [http://www.labrae.k12.oh.us/] notes that the two systems merged in 1970 to become the LaBrae School District. The site does not include any historical information about the district.

When all else fails, it is wise to seek an original source. Since the question was asked after school hours, we were unable to contact the district office. Fortunately, a staff member remembered that two of our patrons are retired Leavittsburg/LaBrae high school teachers. A phone call was made, a message was left, and within a half hour we learned that the Braceville Bees and the Leavittsburg Yellow Jackets became the LaBrae Vikings.