Not sure what to buy for your teen for back to school?  That's where a gift card comes in! It's also a good lesson in budgeting money.  Let your teen know how much money is on the gift card and help him write out a list of his back to school necessities and send him off.  He will appreciate your trust in him.  If he doesn't come back with a necessity, and he doesn't have any money left, then he doesn't get that necessity, or he needs to return a frivolous purchase.  It's a live and learn situation that he needs to learn before he leaves the nest.