The Budget Bambino

The Deal: Sears’ Back to School Sale—get everyone suited up while you save on apparel, uniforms, shoes, and gear. The Lowdown: Yes, we know it’s only the first week of August, but like it or not it is in fact time to go Back-to-School shopping. Save big now at Sears’ Back to School Sale, meaning 40-75% off school uniform pieces, 10-40% off shoes, 40% off DTS backpacks, and more. Teen and tween girls will love this Self Esteem Scarf Screen …

What: With back-to-school time less than a month away, it’s time for the most important purchase of the year—the backpack. As these bags become fashion statements, many kids want to start the year fresh with a new one each September. What We Say: Whether you need to replace a worn book-bag or your child simply wants a new look for the new year, you can find great bags and backpacks for low prices. (And don’t forget to donate old ones …

The Deal: Take 25% off your online order at Limited Too The Lowdown: This is an easy one. Take 25% off at Limited Too. Just follow the link and take 25% off your entire order. That’s it. Nice, right? Being back to school time, we’re pretty sure she’ll be pleased with whatever you pick her up here, but may we recommend this Jonas Brothers Autograph Group tee, $24.50, from Limited Too’s exclusive collection. Yeah, she’ll like that. Shop: LimitedToo …

Three little word: Back. To. School. The upside? Brand new clothes—uh, who doesn’t love that? The downside? Having to shell out the cash to get ‘em, and finding options stylish enough to satisfy every fashionista. Whether you’re getting psyched about moving up a grade, packing up to head back to campus, or just getting your own kids prepped for the first day, back to school can be a stressful—and expensive—time of year. So we’re going to the streets—that’s you—to enlist …

The Deal: Kohl’s Back to School savings on boys, girls, and juniors apparel The Lowdown: It’s Back to School time, and you need to get more for less—check out Kohl’s for the back-to-school essentials. Junior girls’ will love the Candies collection, which features everything from shoes to apparel to accessories, and is now 30-60% off, which we figure you’ll love. You’ll also find 30-40% off Chaps and Tony Hawk selections for boys, as well as 30-40% off jeans across the …

What: Back to School Sale at Torrid.com, with trendy styles for plus size teens The Lowdown: Get all the basics—jeans, tops, shoes, and more—at Torrid.com, and she’ll be totally ready to go on the first day. Prices start as low as $9.99, and the girls we know would dig these Black and White Stars Canvas Yvonne Flat for just $9.99, and this Red and Grey Striped Elbow Sleeve Boatneck Top, on sale for $16.00. Shop: Torrid.com

What: Get 10% off on Backpacks at Cookies: the Kids Department Store with coupon code 10PACKS The Lowdown: Back to School doesn’t mean just clothing—it’s also time to replace all that school gear that was sooo worn out by the time Memorial Day rolled around. Go to Cookies for quality backpacks (like this Jansport Superbreak, on sale for $29.99) that will stand up to everything your kids have to dish out. Shop: Cookies, and use this code: 10PACKS …

The Deal: Save 40% off boys Southpole, U.S. Polo Assn. and Canyon River Blues tops, bottoms and jeans at Sears The Lowdown: Just in time for back to school, Sears has top name brands for boys on sale now—Southpole, U.S. Polo Association, and Canyon River Blues. You’ll find all the pieces he needs to have a classroom-ready wardrobe, including this Canyon River Blues fleece zip hoodie ($20.40 on sale) which he’ll love for the style and you’ll love because he’s actually …

The Deal: All boys and girls apparel buy one get one half off at Kmart through Aug. 23 The Lowdown: More back to school clothing sale goodness, this time from Kmart, with a BOGO deal—buy one item get the second (of equal or lesser value) for half off. Kmart is great for the basics, like these Girls’ Five Pocket Jeans starting at $16.99, and these Basic Edition Striped Polos for him, $7.99. Also included? Backpacks, like this Athletech Block Backpack combo …

The Budget Bambino has scoured the web for the latest on family style and budget savvy: ~ Disney’s Family Fun dishes on some of their favorite back-to-school items to start the school year off right ~ Mom’s Favorite Stuff gives us the heads up on a totally cute line of tees—the “I’m Told I Like” line—from My Lullabug. If you’re a sports freak, you gotta see these ~ Find some great tips for managing that back-to-school spending from Jean Chatzky’s Practical …

The Deal: Girls and Guys jeans are 50% off now at Aeropostale The Lowdown: Even if school’s already in session, kids always need more jeans, and junior sized girls and young men can get the styles they like at prices mom and dad like, at Aeropostale. These Hailey Stitch Detail Jeans, for example, are now just $24.75. Shop: Aeropostale

The Deal: Take 25% off any purchase of $75 or more. Enter BTS25 upon checkout. Ends September 1. The Lowdown: Another back to school deal for the big kids, this time at GbyGuess—take 25% off any purchase of $75 or more at GbyGuess with the code. We guess he’ll like a few pieces like this Lighting T-shirt, $22.50, and there are plenty of other options—jackets, hoodies, jeans and losts of stuff for the teen girls too. Shop: GbyGuess and use this …

The Deal: Back to School specials for boys and girls at Gymboree The Lowdown: Get cute back to school items for $10-$15 apiece in the back-to-school section at Gymboree.com. She’ll be classroom-ready in this adorable Stripe Ruffle Tab Button skort for $15, and for him, these fall-hued Waffle Tees will take him all the way into winter. Shop: Gymboree

What: For teens and tweens headed back to school, there is one important word when it comes to style – preppy. The Lowdown: This is not your mother’s preppy! Instead we’re seeing some old classics with a new twist. As those in the know over at Elle Girl tell us, “Forget about the popped up collars, cardigans draped around the neck, ribbon belts and pearl necklaces.” Instead think plaid skirts, blazers in fun colors and fabrics, preppy pastels paired with black, …

The Deal: Back to school deals, including fall styles and uniforms, at Gap.com The Lowdown: Back to School can be hard on the wallet, even if your kids wear uniforms to school. Gap has got you covered with great deals on uniform separates, as well as a host of other back to school styles sure to please everyone’s fashion palette. On the uniform side, we’ve got our eye on this bargain—get this Pique Polo, 2 for just $12.50. Shop: Gap.com …

The Deal: Shop Limited Too’s clearance section The Lowdown: We’re sure she still needs something for the school year (when doesn’t she?) and right now Limited Too has some great items on clearance. Choose from tops, bottoms, dresses, and pjs . . . all at great clearance prices. Where to start? Maybe this super cute Drop Waist Tunic, now only $19.99. Shop: Limited Too