Favorite Discount Shopping in NE Ohio

I'm working on compiling a list of key thrift shopping stores in our area.



Local discount shopping
 
Everything Surplus store & Clothing Warehouse - Wooster near K-Mart. Discounted food, clothes & household items.  The stores are beside each other.


Friendtique - 223 W Liberty St Wooster.  Profits go toward the Hospice of Wayne County. They have clothing and furniture, household goods, etc. Often have estate type things for sale. 

Discount Outlet - Massillon 1070 NE 1^st St, Massillon, near Lake & 21, Canton across from Belden Village.  Discounted food & household items.

Ollie’s – Wooster, Cleveland Rd N Canton, across from K-mart. Mansfield has a bigger store.  Discounted food & household items

Tuesday Mornings - Canton & Fairlawn - discount household, super clearance

Gabriel Brothers - Canton & Fairlawn - discount clothes & household


Encore - 4125 Cleveland Ave NW Canton - resale

MCC Connections– located in Kidron, by Central Christian.  Very clean, like a Goodwill.  Typically nicer things.  I have found some fun Christian movies & books for the kids.  They have a color tag that is $ 0.25 each week.  It changes Friday morning.

Save & Serve - located in Millersburg.  like MCC

Goodwill – Orrville, Wooster, Massillon, Canal Fulton, Jackson (near Jackson HS).   Get a free card to get 10% off $15 purchase, 20% in January.  Massillon, Jackson & Canal Fulton have 1 color tag that is $1.50 each week.  There a new outlet in Canton where Circuit City used to be.  You pay by the pound.  Bring gloves for digging through totes of stuff.

New Destinations - Wooster 5382 Cleveland Rd, Barberton. - Like Goodwill money goes toward Barberton Rescue Mission. I don't recommend the Barberton location. 

Nice as New - clothing consignment Cleveland Rd Wooster.  Near Greenleaf Restaurant.

New Orr Not - clothing consignment High St Orrville

Once Upon A Child, Plato's Closet, Clothes Mentor - Consignment stores for kids, teens, & adult.  Often located beside each other.  Thursday Plaza Canton


5 Below - Fairlawn & Belden area.  Everything $5 & under

Dollar Store, Dollar Tree - Orrville, Massillon, Canton, Wooster - everything $1

Deals - Akron, Canton , Massillon - discount store like 5 Below

Village Discount - Akron, Cuyahoga Falls - like a Goodwill only cheaper.  The Akron store recently added dressing rooms so you can try on clothes now.

Salvation Army store - Fairlawn & Canton - like a Goodwill.  Wednesdays are family day & most everything is 50% off.

Yoder Bargain Barn - 7802 Salt Creek Rd, Fredericksburg - discount store

Building 9 - 546 Medina Road, Medina (Fairlawn)- construction, home improvement discount store

Habit for Humanity Restore - 2700 Akron Rd, Wooster  Building supplies

P Graham Dunn - clearance sales usually in May, Aug, & Nov.  Always have outlet section at the back of the store.

Zinck's Fabric Outlet - Rt. 62 outside of Berlin. cheap fabric, notions, clothing and misc. items



For Food:

Aldi - can't beat at other grocery stores their prices on fruits & veggies

Nickels Bakery Thrift Stores – 21 South of 30 Nickels Thrift stores are a great place to get incredible deals on breads, buns, & dinner rolls.  You don’t always know what you will find, but often you can get a loaf of bread for $1.  They also have reward cards that you can get stamped & earn a free item.


Scratch & Dent stores –

Country Salvage 9420 Kidron Road, Applecreek, between 250 & 241; Country View Bent & Dent, Kansas Rd, just south of Hackett; Grocery Discount Store on Rt 3 north of Hartzler's Dairy, Bent and Dent Rt. 62 about 2 miles south of The Amish Door complex outside of Wilmot.

Bulk Food – East Union (old 30), Shady View Pantry (Zuercher Rd Kidron), Country Hilltop Market 585 & Benner Rd– drastically reduced prices on deli meat & cheese, nuts, snacks, etc. 
Fruit &  Veggie Stands - Octad on Carr Rd, just north of 30, Raber's on Kidron Rd south of 250.  good prices for fruits & veggies.  Raber's has pick your own flowers reasonable.


Let me know your favorites.

One Tank Trips for Younger Families

These are some of our family favorite one-tank trips from northeast Ohio.  If you are on Pinterest, click out my links on the bottom left side of my blog.  If you have a zoo and/or science center membership (*), you can do these trips very reasonably.  You don't have travel far and spend a lot of money to make memories with your families.

Here's a link to cheap/free activities in our area.

Toledo

• Zoo* - don't go on Memorial Day weekend - speaking from experience.  Very nice zoo
• Science Center* - Imagination Station - one of our favorite science centers
• Sauder Village - kids are free on Sun

Erie

• Splash Lagoon - Friendly indoor water park for young kids, can ride double on some of the slides
• Waldameer - Memorial Day-Labor Day - great amusement park for young kids
• Zoo*
• Presque Isle - nice beaches

Pittsburgh

• Science Center - Carnegie* - very nice for variety of ages
• Children's Museum* - nice for young kids
• Zoo*
• Aviary* - within walking distance of Children's Museum (save on parking)
• Incline

Cleveland

• Natural History Museum* - park once & go to art museum & botanical garden
• Art Museum - free
• Botanical Garden 
• Great Lakes Science Center*
• Zoo*

Columbus

• COSI*
• Zoo*

Dayton

• Boonshoft Museum of Discovery* - on science center & zoo memberships
• Air Force Museum - free
• Young's Dairy

Cincinnati

• Zoo* - one of your favorites
• Aquarium
• EnterTRAINment Center - for kids that like trains
• Creation Museum
• Trammel Fossil Park - dig for your own fossils in nature for free

I'd love to know some of your favorite destinations.

Ways to Save Money on TV

We haven't had cable since we have been married, over 13 years.  For the most part I haven't missed it, but new technology has made it easier.  We do have an outside antenna so we can get most local channels.

Other ways to watch/stream tv and movies

Amazon Prime - $99/year.  You can stream movies & get 2 day free shipping

Netflix - price varies by how many devices you want on.  Around $9/month. Stream tv & movies.  no commericals

Hulu - Around $8/month  Big downfall for me - commericals.  They don't have a dedicated kids section so you have to pass a lot of questionable shows to find what you want.

I got a Amazon Fire Stick for $25 on Thanksgiving.  I really like it.  I can stream my Amazon Prime through the stick.  I can also watch cable "app" channels.

My favorites so far Food Network, A&E, History, ESPN (including highlights of Sports Center from the day before), & HGTV.  You can watch older episodes through the tv with the Fire Stick.

You can also watch on a phone, tablet, or computer without subscribing to channel for free.  Not all episodes are available but enough for me for free.  Some of the shows have 60 seconds commercials for other cable shows.

There are also apps for network tv, but I haven't tried them because I typically don't watch network tv.

There are other options out there including Ruku & Apple tv.  I'm just commenting on what I have found to work for us.

What are your favorite ways to save money on tv.

Baja West Coast Kitchen

Baja West Coast Kitchen opened today in Orrville.  Pizzas for $5 today.

Sign up for their app & get free mango salsa.

Pizza Monday!

Our flavor-packed pizzas are just $5 every Monday. (steak and shrimp pizzas $6)

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Taco Tuesday!

Nothin' hipper or healthier than 2 tacos for $5 - every Tuesday.

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What's a Baja Longbox?

Any 3 brick oven pizzas for just $20 - every day.

6 Month Free Amazon Prime for College Students

Sign up now to get 6 Month Free Amazon Prime for College Students.

Free 7-Day Trial Jelly Telly

Click here to start a 7 day trial of Jelly Telly, faith-based shows, movies & games that teach your kids about God.  The What's in the Bible series is a favorite of ours and is available on this website & in the iTunes store.

Legoland Homeschool Days

Check out the free days for homeschoolers at Legoland in Florida.

Fun/Cheap Activities for Kids in northeast Ohio & Membership Info-UPDATED

I'm trying to come up with a list of free or cheaper activities to do with our boys this summer.  This isn't our whole list but some ideas we used.

Please comment on things you have found.  We love to check out new places

Everything Rubbermaid store (Wooster) - 3rd floor has Step 2 play structures, kitchens, etc to play with for free

Kidron Auction (Thurs) - watch them sell animals.  Auction starts at 11 but can walk around the look at the animals before.

Massillon Rec center -  Daily Visit pass - Ages 4 & up - $6, Under 3 is free.The aquatics area features four bodies of water; a two-lane lap pool; a lazy river; a multipurpose splash down pool; a dry sauna, and a kiddie play pool.  The 19' high water slides just add more to the fun.  

Massillon McDonalds on 172 towards Target - I've heard good things about their playground.

First Christian Church (Canton) - FREE The playland has 4 levels with tubes, stairs, and slides for your kids to explore and enjoy. There is even a designated area for toddlers ages 2 and under to play safely. Spring hours: Monday – Friday 1:30 – 5pm and Sundays 1-3pm. Hours will be extended during summer months.

Wooster Sprayground & Kiddie Pool - Knights Park is very appealing to families with young children because of the newly developed Kiddy City and spray ground. Kiddy City is a 12,036 square foot area for children to ride there bikes or big wheels. Along with Kiddy City there is a 19,500 square foot spray ground with 6 different spraying features to keep the children entertained. If that is not enough for the kids there is a 4,929 square foot playground for them to run around in.  Someone thought it was $3 a kid.  You can get your hand stamped as you leave & then go swim for free at Freelander Park.

Kroc Center Spraypark (Ashland) - open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, weather permitting.  Free.   The spray ground consists of three areas -- a toddler area, a teen area with water cannons and a common area. Several pieces of the park are new products Rain Drop has developed, including the water cannons, an alligator in the toddler area that shoots water out its nose and cool tails -- water spouts resembling cattails

Amazone Family Center - Medina  Toddler playground for children under 3 – $4 for same day unlimited play.  Large playground for children 3 and above – $8 for same day unlimited play.  Watch for deals on Groupon or Living Social. Mon-Thurs 10-9, Fri & Sat- 10-midnight, Sun - noon-9pm.  Tues they have an animal show, Wed story time, Thurs craft.   All at 11 am.  You can't bring your own food. 

Tuscora Park (New Philly) - includes three pools, year-round picnic pavilion and outdoor shelters, vintage kiddy amusement rides, miniature golf, and much more, surrounded by our beautiful green hillsides and shade trees.

Any time between Memorial Day and Labor Day, plan to visit Tuscora Park and see what families from all over Ohio have been enjoying for decades!  Mon-Thurs 4:30-8:00, Fri-Sun noon-8:00
Prices: All Rides - $1.00 each, Book of 10 tickets - $8.00, Miniature Golf - $1.00 per person, Batting Cages - $1.00 for 20 balls.  They have a promo going Mon-Thurs.  4:30-9 pm.  Rides $0.75 or 10 for $5

Harry London Chocolates (by Akron-Canton airport) -
Tour Times:      Mon-Fri 10-4  Free.  45 min tour.  Tours start at top of the hour.  Free piece of chocolate at the end of tour.

Toyrifix (Smithville) -  toys & trains to play with in the store.

Orrville Library - summer reading program, story time, special events, trains & puzzles

Parks - Orrville - Orr Park & Gailey Park.  Wooster - Christmas Run & Freelander; Kidron, Dalton - 2 parks.  Jackson - a nice fenced in park across from the high school. Massillon - a nice one on 241 north of 30

Johnson's Woods - Fox Lake Rd - North of Orrville, nice place to walk on a raised path.

Towpath - starts in Dalton.  nice place to walk or ride bikes towards Massillon

Secrest Arboretum - (Wooster) - a HUGE slide

The Barn Restaurant (Smithville) - feed the ducks bread crusts

Nature Realm Metro Park on Smith Rd near Summit Mall Akron.  - you can feed chick a dees

Fort Island Park - near Summit Mall

Stark Wilderness Center (Wilmot ) - various programs & events 

Mohican State Park - hiking

Putt N Stuff (Orrville) - Look for discounts on I Shop Stark, Town Money Saver, the Orrville school card

Cinemark (Wooster)  $5 on Tues & $1 Wed summer moviews

Cinemark (Canton) $1 movies on Wed, but very cheap other days as well

Cinemark - Summer $1 Movies

Drive in Theaters - Barberton, Wadsworth, & Strasburg 

Akron Art Museum -  Free to children 12 & under with an adult.  Free on Thurs

Cleveland Art Museum - Free.  Within walking distance of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History & Cleveland Botanical Gardens.

McKinley Museum & Monument - Canton. Dinosaurs, live animals, hands on science experiments, history, huge model train display.  Museum Adults $8, Kids 3-18 $6.  Monument Free.  Mon-Sat 9-4, Sun Noon-4.   Planetarium-- Saturday at 1:00 PM and Sunday at 2:00 PM. During the summer months public shows are held at 1:00 PM Monday-Friday. Planetarium shows are included in your admission price. Please note that children must be 5 years of age or older to attend a planetarium show.  See the note below about a membership  

MAPS Museum - off of 241 near the Akron Canton Airport.  39 planes in various stages of restoration.  A good hands on, up close look at the planes.  Adults $8, Kids 6-12 $5.  Check I Shop Stark for discount tickets. Tues-Sat 9:00-4:30, Sun 11:30-4

Akron Fossils & Science Center - Copley.  Focuses on creationism & not evolution.  Includes a zip line & mini golf.  Starting May 28 open Tues-Sat 9-5.  Adults & kids $10, kids 3 & under free.  You can do the zip line, mini golf, & outdoor play area for $5.  We did this & really liked it.  The museum part isn't big but love the focus on God.

The Little Buckeye Children's Museum (Mansfield) Admission $7  Wed-Sun

Rolling Ridge (Mt Hope) - much cheaper if you can get a group of 15 or more - 9.95/person for the wagon ride

The Farm (Walnut Creek) Admission - 7.75/person with groups of 15 or more, Admission & Wagon Ride 10.25/person for groups of 15 or more.  We like it better than Rolling Ridge. Beautifully landscaped. Giraffes.  Found discount tickets on the Fish website.

Hershberger Farm & Bakery - Rt 557 Berlin on the way to Charm, right off of 62.   They have a free petting zoo with pigs, horses, rabbits, chickens, sheep, tons of goats (including ones of the roof of the barn), cows, dogs.  You can buy food for the animals $1 a cone or 6 for $5.  You can ride a pony or horse for $3.  You can also take a buggy or wagon ride for $5 a person.  They also have a very good bakery and produce section.  In the fall you can ride the wagon out & pick your own pumpkin.

P  Graham Dunn- 2014 - July 24 - August 1 - Customer Appreciation Sale.  Saturday, October 3  - Fall Fun & Fishing Derby

Lodi Outlet Mall - Ride the train for $3.50, discount for AAA, coupons available on line

Orrville Railroad - ride train or track cars $3 for adults & $2 for kids Aug 15 & Oct 31, 2015

Kids Bowl Free allows your family to bowl 2 Games FREE everyday all summer. Plus, there is a family pass option where parents, grandparents, older children that don't qualify for the Kids Bowl Free passes and babysitters can join in the fun and get the same great 2 FREE Game offer every day.  Locally this is available at Triway Lanes.

Kids Skate Free - Check out locations, nothing locally for me.

Hall of Fame Balloon Launch - July 31 - Aug 2, 2015

Water Ski Show - Free - Watch Water Ski Team Practice for 1 hour on Wed nights in summer at Emerald Lake in Norton (click on link for details)

Skymax - discount tickets on I Shop Stark

Orrville YMCA family swim - 3 free on the Orrville PTO card.

$3 a person

Baylor Beach - 3 and under free. 4 and up (Mon-Thurs) $6. Fri-Sun $7

June, July, and August Mon.-Thurs - 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Fri., Sat., Sun. & Holidays - 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Caskey's - 11:00am-7:00pm (closed Monday). 15 & up $4, 14 & under $2, 2 and under free 

Water Works Aquatic Center - Cuyahoga Falls - Water slides & pools.  $8 for kids 3-12, Adults $12

Aug/Sept

Bauman Orchard - pick your own apples, wagon ride, straw maze

Wayne County Fair - week after Labor Day

Missions at the Airport - Preferred Airport - Sept 26-27


Christmas
Oak Grove Mennonite - Search for the Christ child - usually first Sun of Dec

Journey to Bethlehem - Walnut Creek

Polar Express - library

Please confirm before attending these events as dated,  times & pricing may have changed.

If you travel a lot or live near a zoo or science center you might want to consider a science center and/or zoo membership.  These are all good for a year & you can usually activate them over the phone or online.  You don't have to live near the one you buy, but these are some of the best prices I have found.  Typically a family is up to 6 people.

I tried to use my Toledo membership at Great Lakes & they wouldn't let me.  They said because I lived less than 90 miles from Cleveland I couldn't use a membership besides Great Lakes for free or McKinley for 1/2 price.  They ended up letting me pay half price because they had given me incorrect information when I called.  I just say this as a warning about the 90 mile rule.  I think this applies at all of them.

Science Center Memberships:

McKinley Museum in Canton - $56 for a family.
  Pros - 350+ science centers for free, including COSI & Clev Natural History
  Cons - Great Lakes Science Center 1/2 price (Great Lakes General Admission - Adult $14, Kids (2-12) $12), doesn't reciprocate to Pittsburgh Children's Museum

Boonshoft Discovery in Dayton - $100 for a family (up to 6 kids)
  Pros - 350+ science centers for free, 150+ zoos - most for half price
  Cons - Cincinnati Museum Center, Cincinnati Museum of Natural History 50% off,  COSI is 50% off (COSI Classic Exhibits - Adults $17.95, Kids (2-12) $12.95).  This wouldn't work at Great Lakes if you live less than 90 miles from Cleveland.

Akron Zoo - $75 for a family
  Pros - 150+ zoos - most for half price,  Akron Zoo & Parking free (Summer Adult $10, Kids 2-14  $7)
  Cons - Cleveland zoo is 1/2 price (Cleveland Zoo (Summer Adults $12.25, Children 2-11 $8.25)

Cleveland Zoo - $85 for a family.  Buy on line with code A100 & save 15%
Pros - 150+ zoos - most for half price,  free parking
  Cons - Akron zoo is 1/2 price (& you have to pay $3 to park there)

Here's a link to Staycations around the country.  It's also a good resource if you are visiting one of these areas.

Bank of America or Merrill Lynch credit and debit cardholders get free admission into 150 zoos, science centers, & children's museums around the country the first full week-end of each month.  Check out the list here.

Pure Flix Free Trial

If you are interested in checking out Pure Flix - a family friendly version of Netflix, you can get a free 30 day trial clicking here.  After that, it's 7.99/month.

Let me know if you have tried it.  I'm considering it.

Opting Out of Mailings & Phone Calls

Consumer Reporting Companies

If you decide that you don't want to receive prescreened offers of credit and insurance, you have two choices: You can opt out of receiving them for five years or opt out of receiving them permanently.

To opt out for five years: Call toll-free 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688) or visit www.optoutprescreen.com. The phone number and website are operated by the major consumer reporting companies.

To opt out permanently: You may begin the permanent Opt-Out process online at www.optoutprescreen.com. To complete your request, you must return the signed Permanent Opt-Out Election form, which will be provided after you initiate your online request.

When you call or visit the website, you'll be asked to provide certain personal information, including your home telephone number, name, Social Security number, and date of birth. The information you provide is confidential and will be used only to process your request to opt out.

Direct Marketers

Telemarketing

The federal government's National Do Not Call Registry is a free, easy way to reduce the telemarketing calls you get at home. To register your phone number or to get information about the registry, visit www.donotcall.gov, or call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone number you want to register. You will get fewer telemarketing calls within 31 days of registering your number. Telephone numbers on the registry will only be removed when they are disconnected and reassigned, or when you choose to remove a number from the registry.

Mail

The Direct Marketing Association's (DMA) Mail Preference Service (MPS) lets you opt out of receiving unsolicited commercial mail from many national companies for five years. When you register with this service, your name will be put on a "delete" file and made available to direct-mail marketers and organizations. This will reduce most of your unsolicited mail. However, your registration will not stop mailings from organizations that do not use the DMA's Mail Preference Service. To register with DMA's Mail Preference Service, go to www.dmachoice.org, or mail your request with a $1 processing fee to:

DMAchoice
Direct Marketing Association
P.O. Box 643
Carmel, NY 10512

Email

The DMA also has an Email Preference Service (eMPS) to help you reduce unsolicited commercial emails. To opt out of receiving unsolicited commercial email from DMA members, visit www.dmachoice.org. Registration is free and good for six years.

Free Annual Pass to National Parks for Active Military

Free Annual Pass to National Parks for Active Military

Overview of the Annual Pass for US Military and Their Dependents

• Free
• Available to US military members and the dependents of deployed military in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard, as well as most members of the US Reserves and National Guard. Proper military ID is required (CAC Card or DoD Form 1173).
• Obtained in person at Federal recreation sites that charge entrance or standard amenity fees.
• Covers entrance to Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service sites that charge Entrance Fees, and Standard Amenity Fees at Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation sites.
• Admits the pass owners and any accompanying passengers in a private non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas, or the pass owner and up to additional 3 adults at sites that charge per person.
• Non-transferable
2. Where can I use my pass?
   Please contact a site directly if you have a question about pass acceptance and fees. The Forest Service, the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Bureau of Reclamation honor the Annual Pass at sites where Entrance or Standard Amenity Fee(s) are charged.
   • Bureau of Land Management http://www.blm.gov
   • Bureau of Reclamation http://www.usbr.gov
   • Fish and Wildlife Service http://www.fws.gov
   • USDA Forest Service http://www.fs.fed.us
   • National Park Service http://www.nps.gov
   US Army Corps of Engineers will not be issuing this pass, however they may honor it for free access at some sites. For more information contact your local US Army Corps of Engineers.
3. How do I get my pas

Winter Activities for Kids

Everything Rubbermaid store (Wooster) - 3rd floor has Step 2 play structures, kitchens, etc to play with for free

Massillon Rec center -  Daily Visit pass - Ages 4 & up - $6, Under 3 is free.The aquatics area features four bodies of water; a two-lane lap pool; a lazy river; a multipurpose splash down pool; a dry sauna, and a kiddie play pool.  The 19' high water slides just add more to the fun.  

Orrville Y - 3 free family swim on the Orrville PTO card.

Evergreen RV Park Swimming Pool - just outside Mt Eaton on 241. swimming pool - Sunday to Thursday: 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM.  Friday & Saturday: 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM.  I think it's $5/2 hours

Massillon McDonalds on 172 towards Target - I've heard good things about their playground.

First Christian Church (Canton) - FREE The playland has 4 levels with tubes, stairs, and slides for your kids to explore and enjoy. There is even a designated area for toddlers ages 2 and under to play safely. Spring hours: Monday – Friday 1:30 – 5pm and Sundays 1-3pm. Hours will be extended during summer months.

Amazone Family Center - Medina  Toddler playground for children under 3 – $4 for same day unlimited play.  Large playground for children 3 and above – $8 for same day unlimited play.  Watch for deals on Groupon or Living Social. Mon-Thurs 10-9, Fri & Sat- 10-midnight, Sun - noon-9pm.  Tues they have an animal show, Wed story time, Thurs craft.   All at 11 am.

Harry London Chocolates (by Akron-Canton airport) -
Tour Times:       Monday-Friday 10-4  Tours commence every hour on the hour; year-round. Free

Toyrifix (Smithville) -  toys & trains to play with in the store.

Orrville Library - story time, special events, trains & puzzles

Putt N Stuff (Orrville) - Look for discounts on I Shop Stark, Town Money Saver, the Orrville school card

Akron Art Museum -  Free to children 12 & under with an adult.  Thurs are free days.

Cleveland Art Museum - Free.  Within walking distance of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History & Cleveland Botanical Gardens.

McKinley Museum & Monument - Canton. Dinosaurs, live animals, hands on science experiments, history, huge model train display.  Museum Adults $8, Kids 3-18 $6.  Monument Free.  Mon-Sat 9-4, Sun Noon-4.   Planetarium-- Saturday at 1:00 PM and Sunday at 2:00 PM. During the summer months public shows are held at 1:00 PM Monday-Friday. Planetarium shows are included in your admission price. Please note that children must be 5 years of age or older to attend a planetarium show.  

MAPS Museum - off of 241 near the Akron Canton Airport.  39 planes in various stages of restoration.  A good hands on, up close look at the planes.  Adults $8, Kids 6-12 $5.  Check I Shop Stark for discount tickets. Tues-Sat 9:00-4:30, Sun 11:30-4

Akron Fossils & Science Center - Copley.  Focuses on creationism & not evolution. Open Friday & Saturday 10am-5pm for walk-in visits..  Adults $6, kids 3-15 $5.  (winter times & rates)

The Little Buckeye Children's Museum (Mansfield) Admission $7  Wed-Friday 10am-4pm, Saturday 10am-6pm & Sundays 1pm-6pm


Please confirm before attending these events as dated,  times & pricing may have changed.

If you travel a lot or live near a zoo or science center you might want to consider a science center and/or zoo membership.  These are all good for a year & you can usually activate them over the phone or online.  You don't have to live near the one you buy, but these are some of the best prices I have found.  Typically a family is up to 6 people.

I tried to use my Toledo membership at Great Lakes & they wouldn't let me.  They said because I lived less than 90 miles from Cleveland I couldn't use a membership besides Great Lakes for free or McKinley for 1/2 price.  They ended up letting me pay half price because they had given me incorrect information when I called.  I just say this as a warning about the 90 mile rule.  I think this applies at all of them.

Science Center Memberships:

McKinley Museum in Canton - $56 for a family.
  Pros - 350+ science centers for free, including COSI & Clev Natural History
  Cons - Great Lakes Science Center 1/2 price (Great Lakes General Admission - Adult $14, Kids (2-12) $12), doesn't reciprocate to Pittsburgh Children's Museum

Boonshoft Discovery in Dayton - $100 for a family (up to 6 kids)
  Pros - 350+ science centers for free, 150+ zoos - most for half price
  Cons - Cincinnati Museum Center, Cincinnati Museum of Natural History 50% off,  COSI is 50% off (COSI Classic Exhibits - Adults $17.95, Kids (2-12) $12.95).  This wouldn't work at Great Lakes if you live less than 90 miles from Cleveland.

Bank of America or Merrill Lynch credit and debit cardholders get free admission into 150 zoos, science centers, & children's museums around the country the first full week-end of each month.  Check out the list here.

Favorite Reward Programs

Disney Movie Program  -Even if you don’t buy Disney Movies, you can still join the club to earn free merchandise.  You can often find free codes to use.  I got a Cars watch without ever buying a single Disney movie.

Pampers Rewards - Here’s another reward program where you don’t have to buy Pampers items to earn free things, including Shutterfly gift certificates & magazines.  There are free codes at least 1-2 times a month.

Kellogg's - If you aren't currently signed up for Kellogg's Rewards, I'd encourage you to do it now.  I think I've gotten at least 2 free Shutterfly Books, 2 - $20 certificates to Shutterfly, & numerous free magnets.  I rarely buy Kellogg's products, but there are often free codes on blogs or Kellogg's Rewards Facebook page.

Coke Rewards - We don't think much pop at our house but you can find free codes on line.  You can also ask people to save their lids for you.  Occasionally they run promotions to get free things without any codes.

You can always goggle any of these for free codes

20 Dates for under $20

Check out this list of ideas for Date Nights under $20 on Focus on the Family's website.

Back-up Pictures

If you know me, you know I'm a little passionate about pictures.  This week would be a good time to back-up your pictures. I try to do this at least quarterly.

Some ideas on how to back up pictures:

1. Have an external drive that is plugged into your computer that you backup pictures manually or have it set up automatically if it can.
2. Have an external drive that you manually copy pictures & store in your fireproof safe
3. Burn your pictures to a DVD or CD twice.  I do DVD because they hold more & supposedly last longer than CDs.  Store one set in your fireproof safe & one set at a friend or family member.  
4. Store on the "cloud" or online storage.  Here's a review of some of the more popular ones.  I do the first 3 regularly so I don't have much experience with the online storage.