How to Get the Best Deals on Back to School Shopping

Tips and tools to help you save this year on back to school shopping.

It's no surprise to anyone who knows me that I would write a blog like this. Some may call me cheap, I call myself frugal.

The value of a dollar is different to each person, but I work very hard for my dollars and I would like to save as many of them as I can.

I love coupons, rewards programs and lists. Lists are the best defense on saving money. When shopping, get exactly what is on the list and don't stray. The pudding cups, adorable puppy statue and the extra bag of potato chips are things you may really want, but aren't on your list. The price of these items add up and can break the piggy bank over time.

It's the most popular shopping time for parents, back to school shopping. Using a few tips and tricks can help you save big at the register.

One of the best ways to save money off the bat is to compare prices. Look online and check prices of your favorite items. It can be very frightening and a daunting task, but you can save BIG!

One tool I use that is extremely helpful on comparing prices online is Price Blink. Price Blink can be added directly to your desktop browser. When you are shopping online, it will search thousands of retailers to find the lowest price. You can also search their coupons and promo codes to add to your savings.

Brad's Deals is a mobile app that I use quite frequently. You can also find it online. Brad's Deals are hand picked deals across the entire world wide web. Whether it be new towels for the kids bathroom, winter coats, shoes or school supplies, Brad's Deals will find the best deals and share them with you daily.

I have to admit, sometimes I just can't justify paying for certain items. Why would I spend $4 on a bag of pre-cut lettuce for my packed lunch when I could purchase four heads of lettuce for the same price? It will take me just a minute to cut and wash all of the lettuce at home, and by choosing to do so, I'll have triple the amount of lettuce for the exact same price.

When shopping for back to school lunches, although the prepackaged snacks could save you a bit of time at home, they will wreck havoc on your wallet. You can always use a large bag of chips and package them individually in reusable containers at home. You will see the savings add up.

Another helpful tool I use while shopping at the store is an app called Red Laser. When you are shopping and you see an item you would like to purchase, you can scan the bar-code in the app and it will tell you if it is the lowest price available. If it is not, it will display a store near you with the lowest price.

Finally, coupons are my favorite thing in the world. One of the biggest mistakes people make when using coupons is using the coupon to justify the purchase. Just because you got a $10 off $20 purchase coupon to the fancy shoe store, doesn't mean you have to use it. Especially if you are not looking for shoes. You will be spending $10 on something you wanted, not really needed.

Couponing can be a bit of a challenge for a beginner. I know when I first started clipping my savings online and in the Sunday papers, I felt very over whelmed. Resources like Couponing101.com can really help you understand how to use coupons to your advantage. It is by far my #1 resource.

Is there a tip or trick that you use when doing your back to school shopping? Let me know so I can share it with the world! Comment in the comments below.