With today's rising prices of goods and oil, discount shopping has become quite popular. Fashion does not dictate purchasing choices as they did before. Parents are doing away with luxury items such as MP3 players and iPod cases, ticking off only the useful, practical ones in their shopping list.

Back-to-school promotional items are a sure way to become popular with parents and kids. In low-budget campaigns, value-priced school supplies like rulers, pencils, pens, erasers, sports bottles, and notepads will help promote your brand without burning a hole in your pocket.

Bolster your marketing with custom writing instruments that everyone, young or old, can use every day, so remember to stock up on these when you order promotional items for your back-to-school campaign. Choose from thousands of models online, with prices ranging from as low as $0.18 to as much as $25. Pair them with personalized Post-its and notepads for a complete writing package.

Take your back-to-school marketing a notch up with midrange-priced promotional items like custom backpacks, sports bags, rucksacks, lunch bags, coolers, and planners. While more expensive than pens and rulers, these giveaways are used repeatedly, assuring brand exposure over the years.

Today's college kids are more Internet-savvy, so electronic giveaways like USB flash drives, computer mice, and CD accessories are highly appreciated. Custom mouse pads, screen sweepers, keyboard dusters, and earphones make suitable back-to-school promotional items.

School memorabilia like personalized T-shirts, jackets, mugs, pennants, and planners are effective in building team spirit and loyalty among students. Graduating students will especially want to have alma mater souvenirs and will rush to get these before school ends.

School opening also provides a good opportunity to promote awareness for youth issues like violence, drug abuse, drunk driving, date rape, teen pregnancy, and suicide, among others. Recent killings in institutions over America have made school administrators and parents more concerned about students? safety on and off campus. Educating the youth should go hand in hand with the act of giving out promotional items.