Sneakerhead (noun): A person with great enthusiasm and knowledge for sneakers, particularly exclusive or unique sneakers.

You probably aren’t a sneakerhead. (If you are you don’t need this post.) Sneakers, also more commonly known as tennis shoes outside of the Northeast and Southern California, are probably the more versatile and comfortable footwear option for any season. Here are some great ways to score some awesome kicks for you and the family, especially if you’re on a budget.

First, what are your needs?

New Balance sneakers are versatile walking shoes for the occasional runner.

Most of the country calls shoes with rubber soles, tennis shoes. Tennis shoes are poorly named. They apply to far more than just tennis. While the basic essence of any sneaker is the same, there is a form for every function. Do you have any athletic requirements? If they are serious, you probably already have sport-specific shoes. If you are a casual athlete, find a wider comfier shoe in the sport specific section. Flat-soled basketball shoes or cross trainers are usually a safe bet. Especially for children, if you can find the right form for their function, one pair of shoes is usually good for school and play.

Next, find the best deals.

Shoe shopping for the whole family can be an expensive headache, especially if your kids have picky tastes. Even when it comes to high quality athletic shoes, your shoe budget shouldn’t have to go over $90 for high quality or even $50 for the kids. You just need to know where to look.

One of the best sites to make the whole process easier on you is Zappos.com. They offer all the brands at a competitive rate and have free shipping both ways. This is huge for purchasing shoes online. If you find they don’t fit or you don’t like the style, it’s easy to send them back for an exchange.