By Shannon Willoby

The month of August symbolizes many things to many different people, from scorching temperatures to thundering monsoons. To parents and children alike, however, it means the return of the school season and, of course, back-to-school shopping!

From backpacks and books to crayons and calculators, back-to-school shopping is a great way to get your child excited about the first day of school; but it can also put a big strain on you financially. Consequently, the rising prices at the pump mean that many people are wondering how they’re going to afford all those school supplies and new clothes this year. If you’re feeling the economic squeeze this school season, read on for ideas that will save you money and satisfy your child—no matter what age they are!

1. First of all, it’s very important to set a budget and firmly stick to it. Once you’ve decided on a reasonable limit, withdraw the exact amount of cash needed and leave your credit cards at home. You won’t be tempted to overspend, and it will force you to stick to your initial budget without giving in to any unnecessary whims along the way.

2. Make a comprehensive shopping list. If you have a list, you’ll be much less likely to allow your child to add on any needless items that will increase your bill. Sit down with your child before you hit the stores and discuss his or her needs. Eliminate any avoidable items, and don’t believe little Timmy if he tells you his new teacher requires each student to have an iPhone!

3. If you have an older child who no longer finds it “cool” to go shopping with a parent, providing a prepaid gift card is always going to be a much smarter choice than allowing free rein with your credit card. Prepaid gift cards allow you to set a decisive limit on spending, and it will teach the value of a dollar, too!

4. Name-brand clothes are usually on the front of most kids’ back-to-school shopping lists, but designer jeans may not be in your price range. If this is the case, forgo the mall and try hitting up the Outlets at Anthem or a store like Buffalo Exchange, where you can get the same designer duds your child craves for much less. You might also want to consider selling any of last year’s clothing that your child no longer wears to consignment or used clothing stores. You can use any money earned to purchase new items for your child.

5. If your student is college-bound, consider purchasing books online instead of at the college bookstore. On-campus bookstore prices are notoriously high, and it’s worth the effort to check Web sites like half.com, which has a textbook “superstore” with new and used book bargains, and amazon.com, where you can find great deals on new and used textbooks.

6. Don’t automatically throw away last year’s school supplies. Instead, take the time to go through all your child’s supplies from last year and see if there is anything reusable. You might be surprised to find that many of the items are still good, and you’ll be able to put the money you saved toward things that are more important—like piano lessons or a math tutor.

7. If your little one needs items such as notebooks, binders, crayons, pens, paper and pencils, try visiting your local dollar store or a discount store like Target before going anywhere else. These stores often carry the items you need at heavily discounted prices.

8. Consider packing your child’s lunch instead of sending him or her off to school with a twenty-dollar bill burning a hole in the pocket. With vending machines filled with sugary sodas and chocolate candy bars calling their names, many children will end up spending your hard-earned cash on anything but a healthy lunch. Stocking your child’s lunch with a turkey or veggie sandwich on whole-wheat bread, carrot sticks with low-cal ranch dip, apples, dried fruit and nuts will give them the energy they need to get through their school day without the inevitable crash that comes with consuming too much sugar; plus it will be much easier on your pocketbook!

9. Carpooling can help save gas money and the environment, but it also means that you can practice back-to-school shopping in bulk. Grab a few friends and turn shopping for students into a group outing where you purchase supplies from warehouse stores like Costco or Sam’s Club. You’ll find great deals at these stores, and you’ll be able to get all of your shopping done in one place, from shoes to Scotch tape!

10. Big-ticket items like computers, high-tech calculators, PDAs and uniforms are the ones most likely to break the bank, so take the time to do a little comparison shopping. You can find amazing deals online if you search around, and you might be able to save even more money if you catch a company when they’re advertising a great sale. Ebay.com and amazon.com are great places to check for the items you’re most worried about buying; and don’t forget to browse the newspaper for advertised specials.

With the ever-increasing price of gas, everyone could use a little help these days. Whether it’s gift cards, carpooling, or trips to Costco or the Anthem Outlets, this list should get you through that back-to-school crunch with money to spare. All it takes is a little time and effort on your part, and the new school season will begin with a happy child and a bank account with something in it. And if your funds allow, treat yourself to some de-stressing spa time or a few rounds of golf as soon as the kids are off and running!