This is one of a series of LendingTree blog posts highlighting personal finance stories on how to save money. We hope these ideas inspire you, whether you are repairing your credit – or preparing for a major purchase. Today’s guest post on shopping  tips for finding great back-to-school deals comes to us from Stacey Ross, the founder of SanDiegoBargainMama.com.

While back-to-school shopping can be a costly affair, it does not have to break the bank. The National Retail Federation’s 2010 Consumer Intentions and Actions Back to School survey, conducted by BIGresearch, found that the average American family will spend $606.40 on clothes, shoes, supplies and electronics, compared to $548.72 last year.  Par to the growing technological trends, students are adding to their lists items such as laptops, smart phones, net books and MP3 players. Keeping the spending down warrants some consumer-savvy shopping techniques, because merely finding back-to-school deals and discounts does not automatically mean shoppers are getting a bargain. So what can families do to save some green this “shopping season”? Well, If you plan ahead with a budget and  implement some of these tips you will be bound to keep more money in your pocket during the back-to-school shopping season:

• Before you go shopping, search your house for items that you already have, then cross them off the “needs list.”  Budget for discressionary spending such as high-end sneakers, designer notebook, etc.

• If you are in or near states that offer a tax-free weekend (typically August 20-22), you might even land some considerable deals, especially on large ticket items.

• Take advantage of “doorbusters” (select merchandise that stores take a loss just to get you in the door) by doing your research using online store circulars found on www.SundaySaver.com .  Once you have mapped out where the rock-bottom store promotions are, then go on a “back-to-school circuit hunt”, hitting several stores close enough in proximity to not lose the savings in gas!

• Have an iPhone? Check out RedLaser at www.redlaser.com, a barcode-scanning app that helps users locate the best price for a product. Talk about comparison shopping!

• Try buying in bulk at warehouse stores with a friend, then divvy up your loot at a meeting place. Also, you might want to shop at  stores that will price-match, such as Staples, Target or Wal-mart.

• Stock up on supplies on sale that will soon need replenishing (like folders, notebook paper, white-out, pencils, glue sticks). Take advantage of back-to-school specials in ads that limit the amount you can purchase, as they are usually the promotional steals.

• Consider discount shopping at swap meets, dollar stores or online. Often the items are of the same quality, if not the same products as typical retail shops.  A popular website for trading with other parents is www.SwapMamas.com .

• Consider the longterm benefits of online applications that help with staying organized, with researching skills and with staying organized.

• Remember, Fall clothing does not have to be on the list.  What’s “cool” at the end of the summer might not be the “in thing” back in school two months later (and the prices will go down soon enough). So, perhaps hit the summer clothes clearance sales (most can actually be worn year-round in certain areas), then wait a month or so for prices to go down.

• Instill in your kids the recycling spirit and have them trade in, give away, or sell old electronics at www.Gazelle.com .  It might just help offset the cost of this whole ”back-to-school shopping season”.

- By Stacey Ross, founder of SanDiegoBargainMama.com, which celebrates finding local value on a budget.

Photo credit: vancouverfilmschool/Marisa Torres via Creative Commons 2.0

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