Shopping cart showdown: Our first back-to-school shopping list at Walmart and Amazon

It is my son's first year of school (Pre-K4) and we have already received his first school supplies list. I'll skip the rant on the brand name asks included on the list, because that's not my point. It's just that time of year when parents have no choice but to spend on both a supply list and back-to-school clothes.

If you're looking to maximize your child's readiness for school, without maximizing your budget, I did the research so you don't have to. With Amazon's biggest sale of the year taking place last week and Walmart+ hosting their own massive sale for members, here's a look at what my son's school supply list would cost at each retailer:

(Reminder that your list may be totally different depending on age, school and teacher. Also, I left off the backpack and headphones because we already have them!)

Back-to-school shopping comparison, Walmart vs. Amazon

Crayola Crayons (box of 24 or more)

Elmer's glue - white

Crayola watercolors

EXPO Dry Erase Markers, 4-pack

Avery Heavy Duty View Binder

Quart-size baggies

Ziploc Brand Storage Gallon Bags

Clorox Disinfecting Wipes

Kleenex Ultra Soft Facial Tissues

Primary Composition Notebook

Fiskars Blunt-tip Kids Scissor

Back-to-school supplies cart totals (before taxes) and cost breakdown

Walmart: $66.67

• 4 boxes of Crayola crayons, 24 count - $0.50 each x 4 = $2.00, cart total $2.00
• 2 bottles of white Elmer's glue - $0.50 each x 2 = $1.00, cart total $3.00
• 1 Crayola washable watercolors set - $2.47, cart total $5.47
• 1 4-pack of dry erase markers - $3.49, cart total, $8.96
• 1 1-inch binder - $5.82, cart total $14.78
• 1 box of quart-sized baggies - $10.53, cart total $25.31
• 1 box of gallon-sized baggies - $9.98, cart total $35.29
• 4-pack of Clorox wipes - $16.62, cart total $51.91
• 3 rectangular boxes of Kleenex - $3.98, cart total $55.89
• 1 primary composition book - $9.20, cart total $65.09
• 1 pair of blunt-tip Fiskars scissors - $1.58, cart total $66.67

Amazon: $89.33

• 4 boxes of Crayola crayons, 24 count,4-pack - $8.50, cart total $8.50
• 2 bottles of white Elmer's glue - $6.15 for 2 = $6.15, cart total $14.65
• 1 Crayola washable watercolors set - $7.85, cart total $22.50
• 1 4-pack of dry erase markers - $3.35, cart total, $25.85
• 1 1-inch binder - $12.11, cart total $37.96
• 1 box of quart-sized baggies - $11.49, cart total $49.45
• 1 box of gallon-sized baggies - $11.69, cart total $61.14
• 4-pack of Clorox wipes - $16.62, cart total $77.76
• 2 rectangular boxes of Kleenex - $5.59, cart total $83.35
• 1 primary composition book - $2.99, cart total $86.34
• 1 pair of blunt-tip Fiskars scissors - $2.99, cart total $89.33

Pros/Cons of doing your back-to-school shopping at Walmart

The Walmart cart is cheaper, there's no way around that. You can get the exact brand names on the supply list and for the most part, the exact amount they are asking for, no more and no less. The other big benefit to me is when brand names are not requested, there are significantly cheaper options to choose from as well. By selecting things like the Pen + Gear dry erase markers, the Pen + Gear one-inch binder and smaller boxes of storage bags, I can actually get my Walmart cart down to $53.66.

Plus, Walmart+ offers free same-day delivery (if slots are available, with paid options for faster delivery like under 90 minutes or under three hours). You also get early access to sales, like the Walmart deals sale going on now.

The biggest con for me shopping at Walmart using the app is being at the mercy of a Walmart shopper, who may not find exactly what you're asking for and replacing it with the wrong item, a more expensive option, or just not replacing it at all (depending on your app settings).

Pros/Cons of Amazon back-to-school shopping

Amazon doesn't have the cheaper option here, but if you're placing an order during Prime Day, I'd definitely keep an eye on the prices, because they could drop. Amazon often offers lightning deals for a short time. Plus, you can't beat the free two-day shipping (and sometimes overnight shipping) with an Amazon Prime membership.

One big benefit for me is that there were a few options where you could buy items in bulk, so while that might drive up the immediate cost of your cart, you're getting extra things for your household like storage bags, Clorox wipes and Kleenex. Plus, Amazon Prime comes with so many other benefits like Prime Video access, fuel deals, a free GrubHub+ membership and so much more.