FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Beyond the backpacks and pencils, students are also dependent on technology in school.

Buying a laptop for your student can take a big bite out of your budget.

This year, the National Retail Federation says families with students in elementary through high school plan to spend an average of about $860 in back-to-school shopping. They're budgeting about $300 of that total for electronics.

"Parents are stretching their budgets. They're not slashing them, and that means they're looking for these smart strategies," Retail Insights Expert Stephanie Carls said.

She says some of those smart strategies include finding ways to save.

If you're buying brand new, she says use sites like RetailMeNot for coupons and cashback offers.

Make sure you utilize a student dis

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