The Budget Bambino

The Deal: Just in time for back to school, Kohl’s has a sale on backpacks, messenger bags, and duffel bags. The Lowdown: JanSport backpacks have come a long way since their basic black and red options--they have fun plaid and polka dot prints, as well as the traditional, sturdy backpacks. Other brands carried are Adidas, High Sierra, Wenger, and much more. Check out our picks: Pictured: The JanSport Right Pack Love backpack, now $34.99. This floral pattern is great for …

The Deal: $10 off baby furniture over $125--offer ends August 31. The Lowdown: Cribs and baby furniture are necessities, obviously, and every bit of a discount helps. K-Mart already has low prices, so a $10 coupon is an extra bonus. Check out the options: The Lexington Collection 3-in-1 Convertible Crib converts from a crib to a daybed to a full-sized headboard, allowing you to keep it around for years. In a gender-neutral cherry, this crib is $159.99. For older kids, …

The Deal: Get 15% Off All DVDs at Shop.NickJr.com! The Lowdown: Any avid Nickelodeon fan will jump for joy if you pick up DVDs of their favorite show. Whether you’re shopping for a younger child who loves Dora the Explorer, Wonder Pets, The Backyardigans, and Blue’s Clues or an older one who watches Spongebob Squarepants, anime, Zoey 101 and more, you’ll find DVDs discounted enough to buy them just because. Some of these shows, such as Blue’s Clues, are educational and beneficial, which pleases both you …

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: Save up to 70% on outdoor fun and summer wear at Leaps and Bounds, and get an additional 10% off with code EXTRA 10K The Lowdown: Summer may be almost over, but the savings have only just begun—at the end-of-the-season sales that is. Check out Leaps and Bounds for super cute kids’ clothes, toys and gear; buy for now or stock up for next year (just think how much time and cash it could save you next spring!). What …

The Deal: Free Shipping on Orders over $99 with newsletter sign up! See BabyAge.com for details. The Lowdown: BabyAge.com is a great source for name brand baby gear (think Graco, Step 2, Fisher Price, EvenFlo, the list goes on . . . ), decor, and apparel at reasonable prices (frequently with big markdowns!). Sign up for their newsletter (tailored for the age of your particular bambino) and receive a coupon code for free shipping on orders of $99 or more. …

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: Save up to 30% off on Breastfeeding Supplies at BabyCenter Store through Aug. 24. The Lowdown: Breastfeeding is challenging enough, but having all you need to do it right and look great at the same time? Even more exhausting! Now’s your chance to up your breastfeeding comfort level and nursing style with up to 30% off breastfeeding supplies at BabyCenter. Pick up a breast pump, nursing health products, and nursing pillows, plus get what you need to stay a …

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

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 Deal: Buy 3 baby closeouts at The Baby Outlet and get 1 free The Lowdown: Buy 3, get one free—it doesn’t get much simpler than that. And we love something for free! Shop The Baby Outlet for all your baby gear—from bedding to clothing to strollers to playpens and more. Okay, the sales aren’t always HUGE but they don’t charge sales tax—and some deals are pretty darn good, like this Summer Infant Sure and Secure bedrail, marked down to $49.99, …

The Deal: Diapers.com - $10 off your first order over $50 with code: AFFL10 plus free shipping! The Lowdown: The name doesn’t quite say it all—yes, Diapers.com has diapers, all the big namebrands like Huggies, Pampers, Luvs—but they also have lots of other great baby items as well. Wipes, bath products, formula, toys, even green baby products. Oh, and speaking of green, they’ve got cloth diapers too. And right now, go ahead and order the stuff you need anyway, and get …

The Deal: Free Shipping on Select Baby Gear at Target.com The Lowdown: Purchase selected babygear from strollers to monitors and get free shipping at Target. You were probably going to buy this stuff at Target anyway, and now you don’t have to burn any gas getting what you need, with free shipping. Be sure to peruse all the great namebrand offerings, like this Graco Alano Travel System, $189.99. Shop: Target.com

The Deal: Get 30-50% off New Additions Maternity line at Sears.com The Lowdown: It’s always hard to find maternity wear (that we like) for less, so check out Sears new New Additions maternity line and pick up some pieces on sale now. A super versatile piece we’d suggest? How about this matte jersey wrap dress, on sale for only $26.40. Shop: Sears.com

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: Big discounts on sale items at Mimi Maternity The Lowdown: End of the season means great sales—and even though they’re making room for fall styles, there’s no reason that you can’t use some of the cute skirts, jeans, and even walking shorts on sale now as we move into autumn. One great deal? These Level 99 Wide Leg jeans, now just $26.99 (regularly $100). Sizes are limited, so shop now! Shop: Mimi Maternity

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

The Deal: Get up to 20% off strollers at BabyCenter Store. The Lowdown: Go to BabyCenter Store for high quality baby gear, and right now get 20% off selected strollers, like this cute Terra Stroller by Mia Moda -- this one is actually 30% off (at $146.99) AND free shipping. Shop: Baby Center Store