Sallie Mae's Upromise teaches kindergarten parents through college students how to save money back-to-school shopping

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In need of a crash course on how to save on back to school shopping? Backpacks, clothing, supplies, textbooks and technology items for the new school year can add up to hundreds of dollars for the average family.

NEWTON, Mass., July 15, 2010—In need of a crash course on how to save on back to school shopping? Backpacks, clothing, supplies, textbooks and technology items for the new school year can add up to hundreds of dollars for the average family. As parents and college students shop for back-to-school needs, they can earn money in a Upromise college savings account and save right away with online coupons.

By simply starting online shopping at 750 retailers through Upromise.com, you can earn 1 to 25 percent of the purchase price in your Upromise savings account. Joining is free. The site features hundreds of online coupons and free shipping offers that can add immediate savings. Plus, no matter where you shop, the Upromise World MasterCard from Bank of America offers 1 percent for college on everything you buy with the card and 10 percent extra on eligible grocery and drug store purchases.

“Our twins are entering fifth grade this year and we’ll shop online as much as possible to save money,” said Kevin Makler, a Upromise member from Raleigh, N.C., who has saved more than $3,000 with Upromise. “We always use the Upromise MasterCard for everything we buy - all of those 1 percents add up and before we know it, we have $25 or more a month added to our college savings just by using our credit card.” In addition to using the credit card, Kevin has been an active member since 2001 and makes purchases through Upromise partners whenever possible.

Before hitting the books, the following supplies, suggestions and savings will surely make the grade this academic year. To earn extra savings on each item, be sure to start your shopping on Upromise.com.

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Studying in style? According to research conducted by Lands’End .com(3 percent college savings), jeans and t-shirts are the “unofficial school uniform.” Graphic tees are in demand for both boys and girls. Backpacks continue to be a “must have” for students of all ages. Lands’ End offers a newly redesigned collection of stylish backpacks that are light-weight, comfortable and help keep you organized.
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Running to catch the bus? You’ll need proper footwear and you can earn10 percent college savings from Shoebuy.com. Shoebuy has the largest selection of women’s, men’s and kid’s casual, dress and athletic shoes.
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Taking notes? Well, you’re going to need notebooks, pens, a BETTER Binder and perhaps a new laptop such as an affordable, powerful HP DV6 notebook ($699.98). Staples.com offers 1 percent college savings and free next-day delivery on all orders over $50.
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Decorate a dorm room on a budget. Bedding with flirty floral designs and bold bright colors for girls and masculine stripes and plaids or solid reversible sets for guys is an inexpensive way to add color to a dorm room. Walls can easily be personalized with dry erase “wall pops” that peel and stick and don’t require a hammer and nails. You can earn 2 percent for college at bedbathandbeyond.com.
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Don’t be late for class. The new iHome iA5 'app-enhanced' alarm clock (2 percent rewards at bedbathandbeyond.com) is a combination speaker and iPod docking station. It’s the first bedside alarm clock with its own free iPhone application enabling students to wake up to personal reminders, weather reports and even social media updates from Facebook and Twitter.
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Hit the books…for less. Save hundreds of dollars a year on textbooks by buying or renting books online through Upromise participating bookstores and earn 3-4 percent back in college savings. For example you can earn 4 percent on book rentals from Chegg.com and 3 percent on new and used books from Barnes & Noble.com (www.bn.com) and Textbooks.com (increasing to 4 percent July 29-9/30). For the digital student, save money on ebooks at Textbooks.com and lighten the weight of your backpack!
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Keep in touch. Need a new phone or wireless plan? New subscribers who sign up for a wireless plan from AT&T through Upromise earn $18 in college savings. Text-friendly phones are offered free with a contract and a variety of smart phones are available.

To inspire school spirit, Upromise’s Pop Quiz contest is easy to play up to once a day and no studying is required! Each day through Sept. 7, new quiz questions are featured, and the right answer can lead to prizes such as an Apple® iPad, a Barnes & Nobles™ Nook e-reader or gift-certificates from popular retailers.

Getting ready for a new school year is a good time to think about educational goals for yourself or a family member. To help with college planning, Upromise.com offers free tools including Sallie Mae’s scholarship search, Education Investment Planner and college savings plan options.

For more information contact:
Debby Hohler (617) 454-6741

SLM Corporation (NYSE: SLM), commonly known as Sallie Mae, is the nation’s leading saving, planning and paying for education company. Sallie Mae’s saving programs, planning resources and financing options have helped more than 31 million people make the investment in higher education. Through its subsidiaries, the company manages $182 billion in education loans and serves 10 million student and parent customers. In addition, the company’s Upromise program has enabled 12 million members to earn more than $525 million in rewards to help pay for college. Its Upromise affiliates also manage more than $25 billion in 529 college-savings plans. Sallie Mae offers services to a range of institutional clients, including colleges and universities, student loan guarantors and state and federal agencies. More information is available at www.SallieMae.com. SLM Corporation and its subsidiaries are not sponsored by or agencies of the United States of America.

News Source : Sallie Mae's Upromise teaches kindergarten parents through college students how to save money back-to-school shopping