The new school year is coming on like Usain Bolt rounding the turn in the 200-meter dash. In other words, really fast.

This isn't news if you're the parent of a school-aged child. In fact, depending on how your summer went, you may already have the first day of school circled on your calendar. The problem is, you may not have all of your back to school shopping done, and now you're running out of days.

Time to panic. Just kidding. It's actually time to download some free apps that can help you out of your conundrum. These apps all do different things, but they'll all come in handy as you get closer to that dreaded/celebrated occasion.


Office Depot - Rewards & Deals

iPhone & Apple Watch App - Designed for iPhone and Apple Watch, compatible with iPad
Released: 2010-10-15 :: Category: Game

FREE!

We'll start with the real basics. Until our future robot overlords banish pens and paper, you're going to need school supplies, no matter what grade your kids are about to start. The Office Depot app has taken it to another level for 2016, allowing you to search by emoji. No, I didn't make that up. Plus it keeps you up to date on weekly deals, syncs with the company's website, tells you where the closest store is, and more.

RetailMeNot: Coupons, Cashback

iPhone & Apple Watch App - Designed for iPhone and Apple Watch, compatible with iPad
Released: 2012-06-12 :: Category: Game

FREE!

This is a weird one, because the name of this app makes it sound like you don't want to go shopping. And maybe you don't, but remember, it's pretty much a must. RetailMeNot is like a one-stop home for deals and savings at tons of different retailers, and could come in very handy for the new outfits your kids need but you haven't purchased yet.

Shopkick: Gift Cards Rewards

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2010-08-16 :: Category: Game

FREE!

A new martial art that combines shopping and powerful kicks? Alas, no. Shopkick uses a point system that rewards you for physically walking into stores (perhaps some of the inspiration behind Pokemon GO?). Then you take those points and combine them with some other offers and end up with really big savings at top retailers like Target, Best Buy, and other places that might be on your back to school shopping list.

Ibotta: Save & Earn Cash Back

iPhone App - Designed for iPhone, compatible with iPad
Released: 2012-10-02 :: Category: Game

FREE!

Ibotta claims to have saved its users $100 million. We can't verify that, but we do know that this app gives you rebates on all kinds of things you might need to buy to go back to school. Link it to your Paypal account and get real money back, not on a gift card or something you might expect from other rebate programs.

Retale HD - Weekly Ads & Deals

iPad App - Designed for iPad
Released: 2013-10-28 :: Category: Game

FREE!

Clever spelling always warms our heart a little bit, so thanks for that Retale. Calling itself the "mobile window shopping" app, this one uses your location to show you all the current deals at stores near you. Compare prices before running out or just see what's on sale everywhere you're planning to visit so you can save time and aggravation.

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