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To follow yesterday’s post on back to school deals, 16 states have planned tax free holidays for clothes, school supplies, and computers. BargainJack has a neat chart with the info, which I summarize below, and Time’s Moneyland blog has additional analysis. Here’s what you need to know:
Participating states: AL, AR, CT, FL, IA, LA, MA, MD, MI, NM, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA.
Tax-free dates: Most states’ tax-free shopping days are THIS WEEKEND Aug 5-7, though some are later in the month.
Limits: There are per-item cost limits, like $100 on clothing. So if you buy a fancy leather jacket that costs more than $100, it will be taxed. If you buy lots of little clothing items that add up to more than $100, no tax. Some of the limits are as low as $20 per item on school supplies, but Tennessee has a generous $1,500 limit on computers.
Bonus: There are discounts in some states for hurricane preparedness items and sports equipment.
I have to say that in light of the debt limit fiasco and ensuing stock market fall yesterday, should our government be covering taxes on items like this? Are we as a nation getting too accustomed to perks like this?
Stop spending money on slow internet, Score back to school deals, and Can you afford to have a baby?
A pram stroller made out of money! Dominik Meissner / Flickr
We share five must read blog posts about saving money every Friday.
Stocks rebound - After a steep drop Thursday, stocks saw modest gains Friday morning. (USA Today)
Free and cheap weekend - A long list of free and super cheap stuff to do this weekend can be found on Hip 2 Save.
The real cost of having a baby - The cost of raising a child is high so our Silicon Valley blogger friend shares saving tips for new parents. (The Digerati Life)
Facebook school deals – This year, Facebook is your friend when it comes to scoring back to school deals. (CNN Money)
Is your internet provider holding you back? A Federal Communications Commission report reveals which ISPs live up to their advertising claims so you can stop spending money on slow internet. (Main Street)
My do-it-yourself deal site, BargainBabeLA.com, has great coupons and deals for LA. Here are the best deals posted by readers like you this week.
Spa week in LA, OC, San Diego and San Francisco is April 12-18, but book now to get a good appointment.
Tax-free shopping day is April 10 in Santa Monica on Montana Ave. Mark your calendars!
Are you a CPA? Morton’s Steakhouse in Beverly Hills wants to appreciate you with a chance for a free meal on April 16, 2010.
Get a free sample of Huggies diapers no matter where you live! You can also get a free sample of Pampers Cruisers
The Junior Drake Warehouse sample sale is coming up April 9-11. The sale has a special emphasis on handbags.
This week’s $10 Starbucks gift card goes to Marie for sharing great deals this week. Congrats, Marie!
