With back-to-school season quickly approaching, many are looking ahead to -- or dreading -- the inevitable shopping trips.

From lunchboxes to laptops, school gear can rack up a big bill. The National Retail Association estimates that American families with kids K-12 will spend an average of $858.

If you're looking to save a few bucks, here's what we recommend:

Before heading to the mall, take an inventory of what you have at home. After you've taken stock, make a list of what you still need.

"One of my favorite apps when you're shopping in stores is the ShopSavvy app. This allows you to take a picture of a product barcode, then it shows you the current selling price and what retailers or competitors also are selling that same item for," suggests Andrea Woroch, a shopping expert.

If yo

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