Back-To-School Shopping Kicks Off Thanks To Tax-Free Weekend

The back-to-school shopping season is already in full swing, thanks to the tax-free holiday weekend. Retail stores are already lining up the shelves with back-to-school items, including school supplies and apparel. Coupled with the tax-free weekend that’s taking place in 16 states across the country, it allows both parents and teachers to save money.

The tax-free weekend is also the kick-off to the back-to-school shopping season for most shoppers who are cashing in on the deals. Even teachers are taking advantage of this special weekend so they can save money on back-to-school supplies and accessories. It also gives them the chance to check out the newest items while avoiding the rush.

First grade teacher Martha Thigpen shopped at Wal-Mart’s Superstore at Tanger Outlets in North Charleston. She told The Post and Courier that the reason she took advantage of the tax-free weekend was to beat the back-to-school rush that occurs in late August.

“We don’t want to wait. We might not be able to find what we want.”

Teachers most times have to spend their own money or the school’s budget for supplies. The annual tax holiday is a great welcome on their wallets. AshleeAnne Palmer, an English teacher at Hillsborough High in Tampa, Florida, says she doesn’t expect her students to be able to afford school supplies.

“Most of the time my kids don’t have the supplies. You can’t ask kids to get things they can’t get. They either don’t get what they need, and struggle all year, or you supply it yourself.”

This weekend was the perfect weekend to shop since shoppers could buy anything without paying the state sales tax, plus any applicable local taxes on school supplies and accessories. Everyone knows that school supplies get more and more expensive each year. This weekend’s back-to-school tax-free holiday is a great way for parents to save money on the hottest clothing, shoes, bags, and accessories.

The back-to-school shopping season is an even bigger deal for retailers and shoppers in Ohio. This year is the state’s first tax-free holiday. Even though the tax-free holiday is mostly aimed at back-to-school shoppers, retailers are offering merchandise without sales tax that may even include items that non-students may want to buy.

According to the National Retail Federation, the average family who has children in K-12 grades will spend over $600 on clothing, shoes, supplies, and electronics. Although it seems steep, the estimate is down from last year’s back-to-school spending predictions.

Not every state is fortunate enough to have a tax-free holiday. There are still ways that you can make the most out of your back-to-school shopping experience. Some ways to save money include creating a budget, starting a school supply list, signing up for email alerts at your favorite retail stores, taking advance of discounts, reading the fine line on refunds and exchange policies, and knowing the differences between “back-to-school sales” and tax-free items.

In this back to school season, look and print some of the best coupon deals on the internet. There are some amazing student supply coupons that allow you to save many on a wide variety of brand names.

Nowadays in this fast-paced and hectic life it’s hard to shop at the mall, so why not shop online where you can save time and money. If you’re looking specifically for student computer discounts, then click the following link where you can get deep discounts.

Were you able to take advantage of the tax-free holiday this year? Did you already start your back-to-school shopping? Share your thoughts below in the comments section.

[Image: Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Target]