Showing posts with label SalesTax. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SalesTax. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 18, 2017

8 Rookie Mistakes to Avoid with Back to School Shopping


The idea to start this site was hatched as a Mom of a Kindergartner trying to figure out the what, where, & when of school shopping for a kid required to wear uniforms to school.  Since then, I've learned quite a bit about the brands, the retailers, and the trends.  Here is my list of Rookie Mistakes to Avoid for Back to School Shopping so you can avoid these errors and enjoy a stress free school shopping season.


Waiting Until Last Minute

The shopping season for school uniforms at major retailers begins at the beginning of July.  While that seems early, it's not.  If you try to wait until closer to the start of the school year, you will find that the styles and sizes are picked over, or worse, out of stock.  For the best selection, shop in July. More retailers carry school uniform clothing items at this time of year, even if they don't offer them year-round, which gives you more options.  At many retailers, I've seen the best prices of the season during July. The Uniform Mom Best Bets series recommends the target price that you can realistically expect to find quality uniform clothing items. During peak Back to School shopping season, you can find items at bargain basement prices at discount retailers and even the retailers known for the highest quality are known to discount their uniform items 40% or more.

Overlooking the Uniform Exchange Program

I bet your school has a uniform exchange program or uniform locker where you can get school uniform basics secondhand for a fraction of the retail cost, or even for free.  Ask the other Moms in the neighborhood or post a question on the school message board.  As fast as kids grow, you will be surprised to find quality items like new, or even some new with tags.  Be sure to check out Uniform Mom's tips for shopping uniform consignment events.  You can also check out the online consignment stores, such as Swap.com.  You won't find uniform items tagged or sorted easily, but filter down by brands, color and size to find options available.  

Failing to Know the Tax Free Holiday in your State

Many states offer break from sales tax for a weekend or even for a full week on items needed for school such as clothing, shoes and school supplies. According to the 2017 National Retail Federation's Annual Back to School Survey, families with children in elementary through high school plan to spend an average $687.72 each.  Shopping during this holiday can save you an extra few percent on your Back to School haul.  Each summer, Uniform Mom publishes a list of tax free holidays in each state.

Waiting until Fall to Shop for Long Sleeve Polo Tops

When it is the middle of July, it is easy to overlook the long sleeve polo shirts hanging on the back to school display.  However, long sleeve polos are harder to find the longer you wait in the school year. (you can read about my hunt for the long sleeve polo here). By October, the retailers that don't carry uniforms year round are running out certain colors and sizes. Just save yourself the headache, and pick up at least 2 long sleeve polos during the peak Back to School shopping season.

Buying School Shoes too Early

One year, I picked up a pair of Mary Janes early in the Back to School season.  When my daughter put them on for the first day of school, she had already outgrown them.  I sent her to school wearing her PE shoes instead while I had to scramble that day to return them and find her hew ones that fit. ( I'd recommend you plan to hit the show stores about 2 weeks before school starts. You need to take the kids with you so they can get a proper measurement for sizing.

Buying the Cheap Shoes

Once.  Only once did I get my daughter a pair of school shoes at a discount retailer.  Basically, they lasted a week and I was out shopping again.  Shoes are probably the most expensive item on your back to school shopping list (okay at least while they are young), but spend the extra money to buy a pair of school shoes made with leather uppers.  Most shoe stores recommend you buy kids new shoes in a half size larger than the child's actual shoe size.  If they are over due for a growth spurt, you may be able to go up a full size with thicker socks, as long as the shoes aren't sliding around on their heels.  Once you find a quality shoe, it should last until the end of the school year or until they outgrow them.

Forgetting the Basics and the Accessories

Because of all of the Back To School clothing sales, it is a great time to stock up on basics like new underwear, undershirts, or bras.  But don't forget that your child might also need a new belt, tights, undershorts, or hair accessories.

Failing to Subscribe to the Uniform Mom Report Card

Each week, Uniform Mom lists the latest sales and coupon codes on schools clothing at major uniform retailers in the US.  If you're not already a subscriber, sign up so you always know what's on sale at each retailer and have a coupon code handy.

Photo Credit: For really #Big #Mistakes ...  Nadia Santoya. Licensed under Creative Commons CC-BY-NC-ND 2.0.

(CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Monday, July 17, 2017

Tax Free Holidays for Back to School Shopping



Tax Free holidays are popular times for parents to head out shopping for back to school clothing and supplies with the kids.  Expect stores to be crowded, and pack your patience to take advantage of the extra savings.

Below is a list of dates where states have announced a state sales tax holiday.  Georgia, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts will not have a tax free holiday in 2017.

State
Items Included
Dates
Alabama
clothing, computers, school supplies
Jul 21-23rd, 2017
Mississippi
clothing & footwear
Jul 28-29th, 2017
Tennessee
clothing, school supplies, computers
Jul 28-30th, 2017
Florida
school supplies, clothing, computers
Aug 4-6th, 2017
Ohio
clothing and school supplies
Aug 4-6th, 2017
Virginia
clothing, school supplies
Aug 4-6th, 2017
South Carolina
clothing, school supplies, computers
Aug 4-6th, 2017
Oklahoma
clothing
Aug 4-6th, 2017
New Mexico
clothing, computers, school supplies
Aug 4-6th, 2017
Missouri
clothing, computers, school supplies
Aug 4-6th, 2017
Iowa
clothing
Aug 4-5th, 2017
Louisiana
Personal Property <2500
Aug 4-5th, 2017
Arkansas
clothing, school supplies
Aug 5-6th, 2017
Texas
clothing, backpacks & school supplies
Aug 11-13th, 2017
Maryland
clothing & footwear
Aug 13-19th, 2017
Connecticut
clothing and footwear
Aug 20-26th, 2017


Source:  https://www.freetaxweekend.com/


Photo Credit: Jimmie. School Supplies Homeschool. (Flickr)


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Monday, July 18, 2016

Tax Free Shopping Days for Back to School 2016


Who doesn't love to shop tax free?  If you're planning to do your back to school shopping at the mall or the traditional brick and mortar stores, you should plan to take advantage of the back to school tax holiday in your state. Again this year, many states have planned tax free holidays to occur during the peek of the 2016 back to school shopping season.

State

Dates

Eligible Items (Max Cost)

Alabama
August 5 - 7
Clothing ($100), Computers ($750), School supplies ($50), Books ($30)
Arkansas
August 6 - 7
School supplies, Clothing ($100), Clothing accessories and equipment ($50)
Connecticut
August 21 - 27
Clothing and footwear ($100)
Florida
August 5 - 7
School supplies ($15), Clothing ($60)
Georgia
July 30 - 31
Clothing ($100), School supplies ($20), Computers ($1,000)
Iowa
August 5 - 6
Clothing and footwear ($100)
Maryland
August 14 - 20
Clothing and footwear ($100)
Massachusetts
August 5 - 6
Clothing and footwear ($100)
Mississippi
July 29 - 30
Clothing and footwear ($100)
Missouri
August 5 - 7
Clothing ($100), School supplies ($50), Computer software ($350), Computers ($1,500), Computer peripherals ($1,500), Graphing calculators ($150)
New Mexico
August 5 - 7
School supplies ($30), Clothing ($100), Computers ($1,000) Computer equipment ($500)
Ohio
August 5 - 7
Clothing ($75), School supplies ($20), School instructional material ($20)
Oklahoma
August 5 - 7
Clothing ($100)
South Carolina
August 5 - 7
Clothing and accessories, School supplies, Computers and accessories, Bed and bath items
Tennessee
July 29 - 31
Clothing ($100), School supplies ($100), Computers ($1,500)
Texas
August 5 - 7
Clothing and footwear ($100), Backpacks ($100), School supplies ($100)
Virginia
August 5 - 7
Clothing and footwear ($100), School supplies ($20)

This data was compiled from various sources: here, here and here.


Tuesday, July 28, 2015

States with a Tax Free Holiday for Back to School 2015

If you're planning to do your back to school shopping at the mall or the traditional brick and mortar stores, you should plan to take advantage of the back to school tax holiday in your state.  Below is a list of states that will be offering a tax free holiday this fall:


State
Items Included
2015 Dates
Information Links *
Alabama
clothing - $100
computers - $750
school supplies - $50
books - $30
August 7-9
Arkansas
clothing - $100
school supplies
August 1-2
Connecticut
clothing and footwear - $100
August 16-22
Florida
school supplies
clothing - $100
supplies - $15
computers - $750
August 7-16
Georgia
school supplies
clothing - $100
supplies - $20
computers - $1,000
July 31 - August 1
Iowa
clothing - $100
August 7-8
Louisiana
all TPP - $2,500
August 7-8
Mississippi
clothing & footwear - $100
July 31-Aug. 1
Missouri
clothing - $100
computers - $3,500
school supplies - $50
August 7-9
New Mexico
clothing - $100
computers - $1,000
computer equip. - $500
school supplies - $30
August 7-9
Ohio
clothing - $75
school supplies - $20
instructional material - $20
August 7-9
Oklahoma
clothing - $100
August 7-9
South Carolina
clothing
school supplies
computers
other
August 7-9
Tennessee
clothing - $100
school supplies - $100
computers - $1,500
August 7-9
Texas
clothing, backpacks and school supplies- $100
August 7-9
Virginia
clothing - $100
school supplies - $20
August 7-9


Source