Get the best bang for your bucks when it comes to school supply shopping

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Summer is winding down and soon kids will be hitting the books -- which means you have to buy the books. But before you do, Katrina Cravy shows you where to get the best deal.

The National Retail Federation says the average elementary school supply list costs $95.63. But can it be done for less -- and how long will it take? Contact 6 Producer Leeann (who does not have kids) was sent out to complete the Milwaukee Public Schools' 5th grade list at several retail stories.

After a visit to Target, Leeann scored all the supplies for $64.71. But she earned a $5 gift card for her next visit to Target -- to the final price is actually $59.71.

When Leeann tackled the list using Amazon.com, the list added up to just $25.22. But that's not the end of this experience. Checking out was a little more tedious -- and costly. The lowest Leeann could get shipping and handling was $76.04. So she topped $100 for her Amazon excursion.

The final stop for Leeann was Walmart. The grand total there was $38.95. That's nearly $21 cheaper than Target's final price -- and a lot cheaper than Amazon. The difference in the pricing of the backpacks appears to have been the big difference in this case.

Links that could save you some extra cash: