DISCOUNTED BOOKS:

Beatnik Books‘s shelves are stocked with page-turners priced between $1 and $4 with expansive children and young adult sections, plus snacks and curious starting at $.50. During Downtown Roseville’s 3rd Saturday Art Walk, receive 20 percent off books. Named “Favorite Local Business” and “Favorite Best Kept Secret” in Style’s Readers’ Choice Awards, there’s no time like the present to check out locals’ most beloved bookstore. Location: 307 Lincoln Street, Roseville, 916-741-2328, beatnikbookstore.com.
//  ALSO CHECK OUT:   Almost Perfect Book Store, 1901 Douglas Boulevard, Roseville, 916-781-7935, almostperfectusedbooks.com; and Winston Smith Books, 933 Lincoln Way, Auburn, 530-823-5940, winstonsmithbooks.com

AN ANIMAL COMPANION:

From fish, bearded dragons and snakes to crabs, starfish and more, Aquarium Depot has a friend for your kiddos to take home. What’s more, the staff tests all products, ensuring they fully understand its functions and viability. With all of the food, shelters and supplies stocked to keep your pets happy, healthy and living a long life, Aquarium Depot is your one-stop shop. Location: 8201 Auburn Boulevard, Citrus Heights, 916-722-3474, aquarium-depot.com
//  ALSO CHECK OUT:   Placer SPCA, 150 Corporation Yard Road, Roseville, 916-782-7722, placerspca.org;  and Leaps and Bounds Rabbit Rescue, 1917 Douglas Boulevard, Roseville, 916-782-8669, leapsandboundsrabbitrescue.cfsites.org

the sound of music: 

The Strum Shop—a full-line acoustic musical instrument shop specializing in ukuleles, guitars, banjos, mandolins, plus related accessories and more—also features a full-time teaching staff, a ukulele club (“Uke University”) with over 500 members, and concerts and seminars. There’s something to get all abilities and ages tapping their toes! Location: 408 Roseville Square, Roseville, 916-787-8786, thestrumshop.com
//  ALSO CHECK OUT:   Encore Music Center, 725 High Street, Auburn, 530-889-0514 , encoremusiccenter.com; and The Music Store, 4505 Granite Drive, Rocklin, 916-624-0951, musicstorerocklin.com

DISCOUNTED BACK-TO-SCHOOL CLOTHES: 

Jordan’s Closet is a kids’ consignment boutique focused on providing high-end gently used children’s, youth and teen clothing. Top brands include Gap, American Eagle, Oilily, Beetlejuice, Melissa and Doug, and Roxy. The mother-daughter duo opened the Roseville location in July 2011 with the goal of satisfying moms, moms-to-be and grandmas with their kids’ clothing needs, while providing a friendly and convenient buying and selling experience. Location: 8680 Sierra College Boulevard, Suite 130, Roseville, 916-784-2111, jordansclosetboutique.com
//  ALSO CHECK OUT:   Tadpoles, 901 Sunrise Avenue, Roseville, 916-787-0259, shoptadpoles.com; and Loved Again Children’s Boutique, 4076 Grass Valley Highway, Auburn,
530-887-5437, lovedagain.net