The best back to school apps

Instead of scouring the bookstore shelves for your child's textbooks, let Amazon Student do all the work. Grab your list of must-have books and use this app to scan barcodes and buy your semester's textbooks with just a few taps. When you're done, you'll have a shopping cart ready to go on Amazon where you can buy your books at a bargain.DOWNLOAD NOW: Amazon Student

Report cards only come once a semester, but Grades 2 allows you (and your kid) to keep track of test scores, homework results and even upcoming finals. The trusty app also helps calculate GPA and figure out what grades your teen needs to gain or maintain a certain GPA.DOWNLOAD NOW: Grades 2

The dog-ate-my-homework excuse won't fly thanks to this app. iHomework allows you or your high schooler to manage assignments, due dates, course schedules and even helps organize reading assignments and extra-curricular activities. Juggle everything that school throws your way with this multitasking assistant.DOWNLOAD NOW: iHomework

Between back-to-school supply shopping and your tween's new wardrobe, spending can get a little out of control this time of year. Stay on budget with the Mint.com app for your mobile device. Manage all of your accounts, set up a spending and savings plan, and even get alerts when you've gone off plan.DOWNLOAD NOW: Mint.com

If you're an old-school mom living in a new-school, high-tech world, scribbling down a quick note to self is an easy way to manage to-dos. Now with Penultimate, your iPad can replace that random piece of paper or the back of an old receipt. It gives you the fast gratification of writing on paper with the digital ease of being able to send it to your hubby or the kids.DOWNLOAD NOW: Penultimate

Planning dinner, keeping grocery bills in check and cooking meals your whole family will enjoy can be a challenge once busy school-year schedules kick in. Food on the Table helps you plan quick, kid-friendly meals around the sales at your local grocery stores and your family's food preferences.DOWNLOAD NOW: Food on the Table

Misplace your iPad while rushing to make your kids' soccer game? Pinpoint the exact location of your device with Find My iPhone, which also protects your data. Depending on your iPad’s whereabouts, you can then choose to play a sound, remotely lock your device, or erase your data on it.DOWNLOAD NOW: Find My iPhone

Keep an eye on the kids' spending habits with Bank of Mom, an app that allows you to track money, time and activities. Not only will it alert you to overspending, but it will help teach them the value of money. Plus, there's a function that allows you to allocate time for activities like video games and TV based on kids' money management.DOWNLOAD NOW: Bank of Mom

Organizing field trips, PTA meetings and classroom activities has never been so easy. With VolunteerSpot, coordinating volunteers is as simple as picking up your smartphone. Mobile sign-up sheets, calendars, messaging and automatic reminders make e-mail chains and nonstop phone calls a thing of the past. DOWNLOAD NOW: VolunteerSpot