Read up on school supply shopping tips

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Central Texas students are getting ready to return to the classroom.

For parents, that means shopping for back-to-school supplies. There are many shopping options – from online to in-store.

KXAN Austin News decided to find out if looking online for supplies would save you any money.

"Back to school is huge! This is our Christmas season, so to speak, here at this store," said Holly Neuber, executive team leader at Target .

Inside Target, the store shelves are stocked and ready for kids to head back to school. Last year, they sold 334 million crayons and 117 million sheets of paper.

"We sell over 20,000 disco balls for your locker, ha ha," said Neuber. "Isn't that great?"

To start comparison shopping, KXAN Ausitn News started with the list of necessary school supplies from Austin Independent School District for a first-grade student.

Inside the brick and mortar Target store, a notebook, glue, ruler, supply box, crayons, pencils and scissors rang up to just $6.94.

We tried to shop for the same supplies at Target.com, but many of the most inexpensive items were not available online. After selecting comparable items, here’s now the numbers broke down.

Target.com school supplies

• Notebook = $6.98
• Ruler = none
• Crayons = $14.99
• Pencils = $9.99
• Supply box = none
• Glue = $10.99
• Scissors = $10.50

____________________

$53.45 TOTAL

Target.com did not charge for shipping because the cost came up to over $50.

To compare, KXAN Austin News looked at another two other sites: Staples.com and Amazon.com .

Here is how those purchases added up:

Staples.com school supplies

• Notebook = $2.99
• Ruler = $1.49
• Crayons = $1.29
• Pencils = $1.29
• Supply box = $2.29
• Glue = $1.99
• Scissors = $0.50

________________

$11.84

+ shipping $9.95

_________________

$21.79 TOTAL

  

 Amazon.com school supplies

• Notebook = $1.25
• Ruler = $2.49
• Crayons = $2.97
• Pencils = $2.99
• Supply box = $2.49
• Glue = $1.59
• Scissors = $1.90

______________________

$16.67

+ shipping $14.12

_______________________

$30.79 TOTAL

While the prices show the Target store coming out on top, it can be easier for parents to log on instead of running to the store.

To take the effort out of back-to-school shopping, Eanes Independent School District offered a package deal on school supplies.

"It's definitely a convenience for our families," said Laurie Maccini, school supply sale co-chair.

Maccini organized an online school supply sale for Eanes Elementary School . While the cost of the supplies averaged at about $50 - many parents paid the extra cost for the convenience.

"To find the exact brand, the teachers have requested you maybe doing a lot of running around town," aid Maccini. "This way, you get everything you need in one package."

Another good way to save money is taking advantage of the upcoming tax-free weekend, which begins Friday and ends Sunday.