Survey says most parents agree, teens "need" their own laptops and smartphones for school

BELOIT, Wis.  -- FatWallet.com, where millions of savvy shoppers share coupons and earn cash back at over 1,500 stores, announced results of its 2014 Back to School Survey (*TNS Global) which reveals what parents plan to buy and how much they'll spend this year. Parents also share views on whether students need to have their own tech products and when to find the best deals on these bigger ticket items for school.

Key survey results:

• 88% of parents will spend the same, or more (31%), on school related products this year. Top items they'll buy most?
  • 78% will buy general school supplies and backpacks
  • 73% will buy clothes and shoes
  • 30% will buy textbooks
• 1 in 4 parents say they are likely to purchase a student laptop or tablet this year. More than 5 to 1, parents say laptops are better suited to help students learn than tablets, 42% say for high school and 26% say for middle school.
• 2 in 3 parents say it's practical for teens to have a smartphone (35% say early teens - age 13-15). Parents also say kids would choose new smartphones over tablets and laptops for school:
  • 29% of kids want clothes and shoes
  • 20% smartphones
  • 19% school supplies
  • 14% tablets
  • 7% laptops
• Nike tops brands kids ask for most for school at 30%, while 22% of kids want Apple products, 18% Under Armour, 14% Levi's and 12% want Samsung, Forever 21, Converse or Adidas.

Next to Black Friday, parents say Back to School sales are the best time of year to find deals on student laptops and tablets. "This annual shopping event is the perfect time to find added savings on higher quality tech products for students," said Brent Shelton, spokesperson for FatWallet. "Each year during Back-to-School sales, FatWallet works with top retailers to increase cash back and feature their best discounts and coupons to help families stretch their budgets." Now through August 26, FatWallet shoppers can find and compare back to school coupons and discounts from top retailers like HP, Dell, Apple, Walmart, Target, Staples and dozens more offering exclusive savings from increased cash back. FatWallet also features smart back to school resources to help shoppers find hot deals on laptops, smartphones, textbooks, student discounts, teacher discounts and other essential school supplies.

See FULL RESULTS of Back to School Shopping Survey.

SOURCE FatWallet.com