Back to school shoppers are apt to be more discerning this year, as they stretch their dollars in the midst of a recession, a retail expert in Texas said.

Cheryl Bridges, director of Texas A&M University's Center for Retailing Studies, said back to school shopping maybe a great learning opportunity, a time to teach children about the value of a dollar, budgeting and other money management issues.

"Ask kids to evaluate what they really need. Have them help compare prices online and visit different stores to find the best deals," Bridges noted.

Parents can teach their trendy teens how to accessorize around a bargain item, like a pair of jeans, or work through budget problems by updating an old computer, rather than purchasing a new one. Teens can learn to "create a budget look that fits the recession."

On the other hand, tapped-out parents can use the traditional saving technique of waiting until September when back to school sales begin, Bridges said.