The big back to school shopping weekend is approaching.  I'm talking about Texas' Tax Free Weekend!  After doing some hardcore thinking, is the actual savings worth fighting the crowd?

Every year there is one weekend set aside for back to school shopping where you can purchase your school supplies, clothes and backpacks and not have to worry about sales tax.  This weekend, August 7th-9th, is that weekend.  The Westgate Mall and other department stores will be filled with customers trying to save some money.  But how much money are you actually saving?

Sales tax is 8% of your total.  So in order to save $8 you would have to spend $100.  It doesn't really sound like a whole lot of savings does it?  Ok, now picture this weekend.  The Westgate Mall, Target, Khols and other department stores have already been prepping for the enormous amount of traffic they are going to see.

I hate fighting crowd and waiting in lines.  Most of my shopping is done online.  So the thought of saving $8 per $100 spent doesn't appeal to me.  I'd rather spend the extra 8 bucks then to fight for a blouse or jeans.

On the other hand, $8 is $8.  That could feed a family one whole meal.  And if you have multiple kids and are planning to spend hundreds of dollars, it does add up.

Do you think not having to pay taxes is worth fighting the crowds?

Now not everything will be tax exempt.  Here is a list for you:

School Supplies (if priced less than $100):
* Binders
* Book bags
* Calculators
* Cellophane tape
* Blackboard chalk
* Compasses
* Composition books
* Crayons
* Erasers
* Folders; expandable, pocket, plastic, and manila
* Glue, paste and paste sticks
* Highlighters
* Index cards
* Index card boxes
* Legal pads
* Lunch boxes
* Markers
* Notebooks
* Paper; loose leaf ruled notebook paper, copy paper, graph paper, tracing paper, manila paper, colored paper, poster board, and construction paper
* Pencil boxes and other school supply boxes
* Pencil sharpeners
* Pencils
* Pens
* Protractors
* Rulers
* Scissors
* Writing tablets

Clothing

* Baby clothes
* Backpacks for use by elementary and secondary students
* Belts with attached buckles
* Boots – cowboy, hiking
* Caps/hats – baseball, fishing, golf, knitted
* Coats and wraps
* Diapers – adult and baby
* Dresses
* Gloves (generally)
* Gym suits and uniforms
* Hooded shirts and hooded sweatshirts
* Hosiery
* Jackets
* Jeans
* Jerseys – baseball and football
* Jogging apparel
* Neckwear and ties
* Pajamas
* Pants and trousers
* Raincoats and ponchos
* Robes
* Shirts
* Shoes – sandals, slippers, sneakers, tennis, walking
* Socks (including athletic)
* Shorts
* Suits, slacks, and jackets
* Sweatshirts
* Sweat suits
* Sweaters
* Swimsuits
* Underclothes
* Work clothes and uniforms

 

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