It’s time to think about back-to-school shopping

School is starting soon, and with it comes lists of required items and lots of wish list wishes.

Back-to-school season spending is expected to reach nearly $84 billion this year, said WalletHub, a personal-finance website, in its report on 2017's Best Back-to-School Sales and Deals.

WalletHub tracked various item categories for a year to identify the most heavily discounted merchandise in August compared with the rest of the year. One category stood out: cell phones. Parents who need a way to keep in touch with their kids should shop for cell phones this month.

Here are the best deals by product category such as electronics and furniture:

10 best back-to-school deals

1. Fitted cotton jacket (9-12) – 43 percent off
2. HP Pavilion 27" Curved Display TV – 35 percent off
3. ALEX desk – 28 percent off
4. Kenmore gas range – 42 percent off
5. Canon EOS Rebel T6i bundle – 29 percent off
6. High Sierra backpacks – 50 percent off
7. Slipback convertible sofa – 67 percent off
8. Dell Inspiron 15.6” laptop – 31 percent off
9. Kenmore dryer and washer bundle – 45 percent off
10. HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 printer – 44 percent off

See Wallethub’s report for details.

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