Apparel & Accessories (164) Home & Garden (1) Travel & Tourism (38) Bass Pro Shops (7) And don't forget to try our exclusive Cash Dash offers, so you can earn money back while you shop.The first day of school might be weeks or a month or so away, which means parents and students are gearing up for a new school year. From backpacks and lunch boxes to glue sticks and pencils, the list of back-to-school items can get lengthy. Luckily, popular retailers like Target and Walmart are one-stop outlets for shoppers to get all the items on their back-to-school list — and at low prices. But if you’re planning to check out Target or Walmart’s back-to-school offerings before the school year starts, you need to know which of these big-box retailers has the lowest prices. Parents expect to spend a staggering $873 per child K-12, according to a Rubicon Consumer Reports Survey. , however, found that 40 percent of parents go over budget on back-to-school shopping.

Planning ahead, finding deals and comparing prices are keys to saving money on back-to-school shopping — and Walmart and Target are great places to start. The real test of Target and Walmart’s back-to-school offerings, however, are the prices. Where is it cheaper to get school supplies and other essentials? GOBankingRates surveyed prices on back-to-school necessities —  art supplies, writing utensils, paper and notebooks, binders and dividers, and backpacks — sold at both retailers to see whether Target or Walmart offered lower prices on the select items. This price comparison found saving money at Target to be easier. The school supply purchases made at Target totaled around $65. The biggest price differences found in this short survey were on a 10-pack of Crayola markers, priced at 97 cents to Walmart’s price of $5.86. When Target offered the lower price for many of the items, it was by much bigger margins. The total comes to $64.97 at Target, pre-tax.

The savings are even better if you have a Target REDcard, which is a loyalty card that gets you an automatic 5 percent savings on all Target purchases, which would lower the total to $61.72. The same shopping supplies cost more than 50 percent more at Walmart with a total of around $99.19, pre-tax. Walmart did pull ahead of Target in a couple of categories, but its prices only beat Target’s by just a few cents. Here’s the breakdown of Walmart’s back-to-school prices on school supplies, as surveyed by GOBankingRates. Related: 30 Rip-Offs to Avoid at Walmart Although Target is the clear winner when it comes to back-to-school savings, Walmart’s price-match guarantee means shoppers can get the same low prices at Walmart if they show proof of Target’s price. Sakraida also said that Walmart generally has a wider selection of back-to-school supplies. And with the back-to-school shopping season just heating up, it could be that Target simply was the first to start lowering school supply prices.

Walmart has some time to roll out better prices and bigger discounts that can match or beat Target’s prices as the start of the school year draws nearer. Also, keep in mind that prices for items at each retailer can vary from store to store. Back-to-school clothing deals have already started, and deals on school uniforms are particularly prevalent. So how do Target and Walmart’s back-to-school clothing deals compare?best backpack for fuji x-t1 Overall, both stores are solid choices for back-to-school clothing. costco hunting backpackThe best option for you will depend on what you’re looking for. harga tas laptop backpack “If you’re looking for higher-end or trendy clothing, Target has a better selection,” said Magid. jujube backpack diaper bag

Parents with middle school or high school kids, for whom style will be more important, might find Target to be the better choice among the two.Walmart is among the best stores to go shopping for back-to-school clothing, beating out Target, which got a “good” rating to Walmart’s “best” rating. Walmart has some of the best back-to-school deals on jeans, offering high-quality products at some of the lowest prices. 460 backpack gunThis huge retailer is also the go-to choice for staples like socks and underwear, offering these basics in the same brands as other retailers but at lower prices. jujube backpack diaper bagTarget did beat out Walmart’s prices with its selection of low-cost footwear, however. Keep reading: 23 Savings Hacks for Target Back-to-school shopping can feel overwhelming, especially for families with multiple kids in different grades.

It’s tricky to keep track of which student needs which supplies, what’s still in good shape from last year and what gear needs replacing. Of course, retailers know that convenience can be as big a draw for shoppers as low prices. To answer the call for convenience, Target and Walmart have created some smart tools to streamline your back-to-school shopping. Target’s School List Assist helps back-to-school shoppers quickly get together essentials for students. Parents can walk through a school shopping list one category at a time. As items are added to the list, they are displayed on the right so shoppers can quickly reference what they might be missing. Walmart also has a back-to-school collection linked on its homepage, which provides selections of school supplies and necessities by grade level. Clicking through will take a shopper to school supplies appropriate for that grade level, from writing and art supplies to calculators and USB drives. Or, shoppers can browse the back-to-school collection by categories like school paper, notebooks and even supplies for teachers.

Both Target and Walmart offer the option to buy items online and have the order shipped or available for in-store pick up. While both tools are helpful to a back-to-school shopper, Target’s School List Assist streamlines it down to the essentials and makes it easier to compare prices and make purchases. Keep reading: 5 Retailers Like Walmart and Target With the Best Return Policies Wherever you plan to pick up back-to-school staples, taking some time to plan your shopping trip and compare prices is the best way to spend less. And using these smart savings strategies will help you save more at both Walmart and Target: “Research online before heading to the store to make sure you know what you need to buy and where it’s cheaper,” Magid said. She said shoppers should make a list of what they need and work off of that to help guide their shopping research. “Keep your eyes open for coupons and deals,” said Magid, with the recommendation that shoppers look at Target and Walmart’s sites as well as at deals sites.

Retailers might also offer limited-time deals or online-only discounts, so checking the stores’ sites regularly will help you get the lowest prices. also recommends keeping an eye out for manufacturer coupons, which can often stack with retailers’ offers. Pavini said that store ads from Target and Walmart will also be key in comparing deals and finding “loss leaders.” “[Loss leaders] are items marked incredibly low to get you in the door,” she explained. “If you keep an eye on sales throughout the summer and into fall, it’s possible to get all of your basic supplies for less than $10.” Tracking prices in mailers and online also makes it easier to price match. You can get a price-match refund if the item you purchase is offered for less by a competitor within seven days at Target. Walmart will match prices from a wide variety of sources, as well, including online purchases. At either store you should be prepared to provide proof of the competitor’s price, such as with a print ad or coupon.