(BPT) - Back-to-school season is upon us, and let's face it, getting your kids geared up and equipped with the necessary tools for success can get expensive. The cost of school supplies, new clothing, and especially technology can add up fast. However, by adopting smarter shopping strategies, you can reduce these costs and help keep expenses more manageable.

Here are some tips to help slash your family's back-to-school tech expenses without compromising on quality or functionality.

Research your state's tax holidays

Many items are given a "tax holiday" - certain days or weeks when sales taxes aren't charged - which can boost your savings. Tax holidays vary by state and can include a wide range of products such as school supplies, clothing and even electronics. To find out when your state offers these tax-free periods and which items are included, visit TaxAdmin.org/2024-sales-tax-holidays. Keeping these dates in mind can help save money while ensuring your kids have what they need for the school year.

Comparison shop to find the best deals

AI is a quick and efficient new way to comparison shop for your kids' back-to-school needs, whether it's a new phone, graphing calculator, tablet or laptop. Many AI-powered tools can automatically compare prices and models of different gadgets saving you time and money. Additionally, browser extensions can help you find and apply coupons or offer cashback for online purchases, alert you about sales and price drops and more, ensuring you get the best value for your money.

Choose a lower-cost phone service provider

Have you checked your monthly phone bill lately? This is one cost you can definitely cut down. Consider switching to a more affordable provider like Straight Talk Wireless, which is now offering their best deal all year: one line for $25 per month when you bring your own phone. This means real unlimited data, talk and text for only $25/month for one line running on Verizon's award-winning 5G network.

Straight Talk Family Plans can save you even more money, because the more lines you add, the more you save, making it a great option for the whole family. Straight Talk Wireless is available exclusively at Walmart, Walmart.com and Straighttalk.com. Visit StraightTalk.com/straightsavings to learn more.

Consider refurbished, secondhand and trade-ins

Opting for refurbished or secondhand electronic devices is another savvy way to cut tech expenses. Major retailers often accept your old gadgets as trade-ins, offering you store credit or discounts on new purchases. Straight Talk Wireless, for example, provides a $200 phone credit toward a new device after just 12 months of service as part of their StraightSAVINGS! deal.

It's also a good idea to ask friends and family members if they have tech items they can pass down when they're ready to upgrade before you spend a ton on new items.

Look into student discounts

Take advantage of student discounts offered by many major retailers to significantly cut down on your tech expenses. It's worth exploring their websites and memberships or asking in-store about these discounts, as they can lead to substantial savings, especially on big-ticket items. Don't forget to verify your student status with a valid .edu email or proof of enrollment through services like SheerID or UNiDAYS to unlock these offers.

Making sure your children have all the tech items they need doesn't have to break your household budget. Using at least a few of these tips, you should be able to help cut down your family's technology costs this year.