Stretching your dollar: how to save on school supplies

Saturday, August 2, 2008

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Some stores are offering tax relief in place of the tax-free holiday.

CLEARWATER (Bay News 9) -- With the state pulling the tax-free holiday on school shopping, families are finding new ways to save money on school supplies.

Parent Christina Clarke got up extra early Saturday morning to take advantage of JC Penny's tax relief event.

Starting Saturday, consumers can save an additional percentage on back-to-school essentials, such as clothing, shoes and backpacks.

The sales event is an example of the efforts of several retail chains to replace the usual sales tax holiday in Florida. Several store chains are currently offering tax-relief events.

But parents are doing more than just bargain hunting to save money for school supplies.

"There's not a lot of eating out, so the kids understand that," Clarke said. "And we're cooking in and saving more going to the grocery store."

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In addition to taking advantage of tax relief events at major department stores, some parents are also taking advantage of Internet shopping to avoid taxes -- if the items are shipped from out-of-state. Although shipping charges could negate that effort.

The tax holiday was suspended for both hurricane preparation and back-to-school this year. The legislature has to approve the possible tax break every year.