WINK News tests school supply prices at 3 Southwest Florida stores

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA (WINK) — School supply shopping can quickly add up at the checkout line, and WINK News put the costs to the test by taking a real school supply list to three different stores.

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Using a fifth-grade supply list from Treeline Elementary School, WINK News filled shopping carts at Walmart, Target and Dollar General. The list included everything from Sharpies and highlighters to headphones and water bottles.

Walmart came out as the cheapest option, with a total cost of roughly $70. Target and Dollar General had higher prices, with Dollar General being the most expensive.

At Dollar General, headphones were not available in-store, and pencils were sold in packs of 10 rather than in bulk. Since Treeline Elementary asked for 100 pencils, the price added up quickly when buying multiple smaller packs.

While there is no hard-and-fast rule about where to shop, checking prices before buying can help parents save money on back-to-school supplies.

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