BehindTheBuy.com is here with some practical and affordably priced products to help get Kindergarteners through college students ready to go Back-To-School.
Audiovox Car Connection
The Car Connection device from Audiovox and Sprint installs easily in your car and is designed to help parents (or anyone) to Monitor, Manage, and Maintain the drivers in your vehicle remotely from any computer or connected device. You can also keep track of your vehicle’s safety and maintenance. Features include vehicle locating and tracking (GPS), driver scoring, fuel savings tips plus safety and maintenance alerts– via an easy to use on-line user interface. You will also be able to download a distracted driving application for Android and Blackberry users that will PREVENT TALKING AND TEXTING while driving, while still allowing access to 911. $169.99 with a monthly or annual service plan- most under $10 a month ;www.mycar-connection.com
Kyocera Hydro
Kyocera Hydro is the first waterproof Android smartphone available without a contract. Available from Boost Mobile, the Hydro is “oops proof,” resistant to sprayed fresh water like rain, showers or sprinklers and water immersion up to 3 feet for up to 3 minutes. So if you student drops it in a sink, puddle or lake it doesn’t mean the end of the smartphone. The $129.99 pre-paid price, paired with Boost’s no-contract $55 Android Monthly Unlimited Plan, makes it one of the best back to school deals out there. Boost also rewards on time payments with a “shrinking payments” program so you can get that down to $40 a month.$130.00;www.boostmobile.com
Carbonite Backup
You’ve got to protect your tech. Every student today – from the college freshman to the middle school does assignments digitally, and likely also has tons of music and photos that they’d hate to lose. Yet most aren’t protecting this content. An affordable subscription to Carbonite, which automatically backs up all of your files securely in the cloud for one flat price, and you can access them from any Internet connected device. Should your computer crash, Carbonite makes sure you get everything back, quickly and easily. Carbonite is easier than online storage – which requires manual updating. And better than syncing – which often charges for additional data services.$59/year You can also get your student signed up for Carbonite now with offer code BACKTOSCHOOL and get 2 bonus months with purchase–Valid through October 31,2012 www.carbonite.com
Logitech Global Graffiti Collection (mouse/keyboard combo)
One way to get excited to go back to school is to jazz up your workspace. Something as simple as updating your mouse and keyboard can be a great way to make homework more fun. Logitech’s Global Graffiti Collection accessories feature modern colors and patterns, so students choose a combination that expresses their personality. Priced at just $29.99, these gadgets are great looking on the outside and powerful on the inside. The paisley print Logitech Wireless Mouse has a contoured shape and textured rubber grip that keeps your hand happy, even after long hours of use. The wireless ergonomic keyboard gets up to three years of battery life. Both the mice and keyboards come with the tiny Unifying Receiver, which stays in one USB port, so there’s no need to unplug it when you move around, and you can connect up to six compatible Logitech devices through one receiver.$29.99;http://www.logitech.com
UPROMISE.COM
This summer families will spend around $688 online stocking up for school. Simply starting that shopping at Upromise.com, you can get 5-percent back for college from hundreds of major online retailers such as Target.com CVS .com and Oldnavy.com. Upromise is FREE to join and every cent saved through Upromise.com helps inspire more savings and buying online saves time as well as money. Families who choose the new Upromise World Mastercard as their payment method of choice can save double—for a total of 10 percent or more cash back. Members can also earn cash for college with Upromise by Sallie Mae by dining out, booking travel, buying gas, shopping with the Upromise credit card and purchasing other services.COST FOR PARTICIPATION: FREE!!!www.upromise.com
CVS
With over 7,300 stores located throughout the US, CVS/pharmacy is a convenient one-stop shop for all things Back to School. This year CVS is offering some great deals through September 22nd . Members of the CVS/pharmacy ExtraCare program receive rewards on popular school items, plus bonus ExtraBuck Rewards which is “free CVS money”) for every $10 spent on its Caliber line of school supplies that includes backpacks, stationery, storage essentials and other classroom necessities.www.cvs.com
SONY’s Xperia ion 4G LTE HD Smartphone
Xperia ion is Sony’s first 4G LTE smartphone with High Definition video and photo capabilities. Whether capturing memories or video chatting, students can be sure to have high-quality video on the go using either the rear or front-facing cameras. Features include a 12-megapixel Fast Capture camera and quick launch that, with its dedicated camera button, goes from standby to first camera shot in just 1.5 seconds and then from shot-to-shot in less than a second. Xperia ion boasts all-around HD video recording, It provides HD viewing with its large 4.6-inch display and the ability to connect, share and control HD content from your phone across multiple screens through HDMI output. Best of all at under $100, it’s a great value for the Back To School set.$99.99 with a new two-year agreement at AT&T; www.sony.com
Keurig MINI Plus
The Keurig MINI Plus Brewing system is a perfect addition to any dorm room. It provides college students with a quick pick-me-up, all at the touch of a button and in less than two minutes. It uses the “ no muss no fuss” K-Cup packs including those specially formulated to Brew Over Ice for iced coffee, tea and now fruit-based beverage. The new Sweet & Creamy Nutty Hazelnut Iced Coffee variety includes the milk and sweetener right in the pack for a no hassle blended iced brew. They match any décor. (Available in black, red, platinum and white).Under $100;www.keurig.com
Acoustic Research Portable Customizable Wireless Speaker w/Skinit
The Acoustic Research Custom Portable Wireless Speaker with Skinit connects to your mobile device and lets you take your tunes wherever you go. Great for the dorm room and tailgating too, each speaker includes a skin that lets you customize your speaker with one of the thousands of designs on Skinit.com. Skins include professional and college sports, popular brands and entertainment icons, or even your own photo or design. There are two easy ways to connect: Bluetooth wireless lets you stream music from any Bluetooth-enabled wireless smartphone or tablet and a 3.5mm jack offers a convenient connection option for an mp3 player. Ultra-portable and made for the outdoors, it’s easy to carry and U/V protected with a weather resistant casing. You can even store your iPod, mp3, wallet or smartphone and car keys within the protected internal storage area. $130; www.acoustic-research.com
Energizer Flameless Candles
Candles are considered a fire hazard and banned from most college campuses, but Energizer just introduced an assortment of Dorm Room friendly, battery- powered flameless candles that look, feel and even smell like the real thing. Many flameless candles on the market over-accentuate the flicker of a candle to a fault, but Energizer actually took hours of video of candle flames, to mimic the true pattern and program it to their candles. There is the Edge collection ($40-42), which is available now on amazon and presents a modern feel and “touch technology” so you can turn it on or off by simply pressing your finger to the base of the candle. Coming soon they will also have flameless Wax candles. These taupe candles come in variety of colors, sizes and prices range from $4.99 – 23.99. Best of all, since it’s Energizer batteries ARE included. Starting at $5;www.energizer.com