From the article: 2012 Tax Free Weekend in the U.S.
Back to school shopping can get quite expensive. Aside from shopping during your state's Tax Free Shopping Dates, what do you do to save money the school supplies, clothing, and shoes your kids need for school? Share your thoughts with our readers. Your Money-Saving Tips
Buyer Beware of the Tax Free Shopping
- As a former retailer I can tell you that the "rags" you're buying now help us clear the racks for the new holiday items. Much better deals can be found in mid-September. You will save much more than the 8% or so percent. In my state of Texas, we are cutting back on our education in a destructive way. The taxes lost to the tax free shopping event would have paid for an additional 1,200-1,500 teachers for the school year. Students look good, and they have lots of supplies, but there's no one to teach! I will be stunned if this post makes it As this site is pay for by retailers....
- —Guest Guest
Thrifty Savings
- Like many others have shared, I too reuse school supplies in good condition. I then go through their closets to assess their old uniforms. Next, I buy gently used uniform items from thrift stores on their discount days, which allows for huge savings! Lastly, I buy online and/or recruit the grandparents!
- —Guest HS teacher & mom of 2
Maryland's Tax Holiday
- Maryland has a wonderful tax holiday. It lasts an entire week and gives us the flexibility to go when we are available to go as sports have started and it's that last minute crunch to be ready for school. I can't even imagine how crowded stores are in states it's only a weekend long - its crowded enough all week and we have a whole week!
- —Guest S.D. from Maryland
Back to School Savings
- Start shopping early and shop sales. I also inventory what my kids have, re-use what I can, and only buy what is necessary.
- —3cmiller
Buying Kids' Clothes
- Do not buy clothes for next season... they may not fit them! I bought jeans for my son in August and he didn't fit them in October due to a growth spurt... It's the same with shoes. Get the word out to friends and family that you like hand-me-downs. Some of my kids' nicest name brand clothing comes from friends with more money than sense.
- —Guest msteele
Wal-Mart's Interpretation of Tax Free
- I just paid tax on the majority of my purchase of school supplies at Wal-Mart, with the exception of two items that would not have qualified. Wal-Mart charged me tax on all of it! When I asked them about it, they pointed to a sign that said "select" items! I guess they feel they are entitled to interpret the legislation themselves.
- —Guest Mileah
Georgia Tax Free Weekend Dates
- I have grandkids to send to school and I just think its awful for Georgia to send their people to another state to save sales tax. What is wrong? I m sure that the businesses in Georgia really appreciate you sending us to another state. Someone is making Georgia look bad. Thanks for not helping us save a little money for back to school items!
- —Guest Wanda Mixon
Re-use some - Buy some.
- Go through this year's pencil case & reuse what you can ... erasers, scissors, geometry set, pencils, etc. Then splurge on the must-buys like: back pack, shoes, note books, etc.
- —Guest Lesley
Tax Free Weeked is Really No Help for Us
- The tax free weekend doesn't really do us any good since the kids go back to school here on July 27th and have to have all of their supplies by the 29th. Why can't the tax free weekend ever be scheduled for before school starts?
- —Guest shelley
School Clothing and Backpacks
- Yard sales are a life-saver for kids' clothing, and if they mess up a 50 cent shirt in art class it's OK (;
- —Guest Mrs.B
Go to dicount stores
- Target, Ross and all those cheap stores are great!
- —Guest Helpinig you save more!
Shopping During Tax-Free Weekend
- During tax-free weekend, I use coupons, and I also look for sale items and reduced merchandise.
- —Guest Ann
Saving Over The Years
- For things like backpacks or lunch boxes, spend a little extra for the better items. I've had my backpack for almost five years and its still in a great condition! Sometimes it pays to spend a little more.
- —Guest Student
Hand Me Downs
- I get a lot of almost new hand me downs from my sister who almost only shops at Children's Place (an outlet store in our area). Her son is about 2 years older than my oldest, and then two years to my middle son. She over-shops so much that I will still have clothes for my middle son almost four years after she buys them. She also has a daughter who is 2 years older than my daughter, so I am really lucky she over shops and gets really nice clothes, coats, shoes, little extras like hair things or ties, dress shoes - you name it, and then just gives them to me. The MAJOR issue is that I have a very, very small house with five of us in it, and when my daughter was born I already had clothes for her to wear until she was 2 years old! LOL. I love second hand stores, Walmart, clearance, and off season sales. Knowing what size you kid will be next season is very helpful. I also like shopping after Thanksgiving sales. The lack of sleep is worth it for me to get the deals that rock. I hope this helps someone with some ideas;)
- —Guest Missouri Mom
school supplies
- Most of the school supply lists are generic. Wait until registration day to ask your child's teacher what do they really need.
- —Guest Elementary Teacher
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