NEW JERSEY (WABC) — Stores are filling their warehouses with school supplies, but before you splurge on essentials, 7 On Your Side shows you how to shop smart and save big.

Some of us have not even had the holidays yet and are already thinking about going back to school, but it is already upon us.

Before you spend an average of $701 per child, according to a recent study, savvy shopping expert Trae Bodge has tips for saving a few bucks on your bill.

“First, take inventory so you know you have everything you have and everything you need. And second, take advantage of deal sites to save a little extra on top of retail sales,” Bodge said. “Coupon Cabin is one of my favorites. They have coupons and cash back offers that can be combined with retail sales. Some deals that excite me are: Office Depot is offering free Bluetooth earbuds with a $150 purchase and 1.5% cash back.”

Every percent counts. Moms shopping with their kids at Target in Clifton are both members of the Circle Rewards Club, which offers free and easy ways to earn back most deals and perks.

Your kids may beg you for a backpack with a particular design. They’ll say they love it and have to have it. But they’ll eventually outgrow it, so opt for a simple backpack that they can use year after year.

Find out about student and teacher discounts on computers at Apple, Best Buy and HP.

For clothing:
– Adidas: up to 30% discount
– Aeropostale: up to 15% discount
– American Eagle: up to 20% discount
– J. Crew: up to 15% off
– Nike: up to 10% discount

Don’t forget about Spotify premium accounts for students and the packages with Hulu. Bodge also reminds you to use a web browser to automatically search for promo codes and check discount stores.

“Especially if you have multiple children, buy in bulk. That way you can save 40%,” Bodge said.

If you have a membership at BJ’s, Sam’s Club or Costco, you can save significantly on items like binders, pens and even clothing and backpacks.

At Dollar General, you’ll find more than 100 items from brands like Crayola, Bic and Elmer’s for a dollar or less.

Make sure you follow and like your favorite retailers in advance. Often times, stores will send codes directly to your phone or inbox as a reward.

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