Wake County families can save money on eligible back-to-school items by participating in North Carolina’s sales tax holiday weekend on August 6-8. If basic school supplies, clothing, and a new computer are on your back-to-school shopping list this year, then taking advantage of the state's sales tax holiday weekend will be a great time to bargain shop.

Clothing, footwear, and school supplies of $100 or less per item; school instructional materials of $300 or less per item; sports and recreational equipment of $50 or less per item; computers of $3,500 or less per item; and computer supplies of $250 or less per item will be exempt from sales tax. The holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 6 and lasts until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 8.

Go to http://www.dor.state.nc.us/taxes/sales/salestax_holiday.html for more details on the 2010 sales tax holiday, including a technical bulletin that specifies the items that are exempt from sales tax.

Tips for Additional Savings

For some families, purchasing all of the necessary items while staying within the budget can be a challenge. Before you go to the store, be sure to check with your school for a supply list. Prepare a budget with your child and let your child pick a few special items he or she likes. While these back-to-school shopping strategies will help you be a more efficient buyer, planning ahead will help you get the most bang for your buck.

Buy school supplies in 3’s. When you find a great deal on basic supplies such as paper, pencils, crayons, binders, etc., try to stock up with at least three of each item. Your children will be well-stocked for the first day of school, and you can restock at least twice later in the school year or have a head start for next year.

Team up and buy in bulk. Wholesale stores offer great deals for shoppers who buy in bulk. To get discounts on basic school supplies, talk with your neighbors, friends or other parents in your child’s school who need to purchase school supplies. Once the group agrees on a shopping list, buy in bulk and split the cost.

Start a “Back-to-School” fund. Just like other once-a-year-expenses, it’s a good idea to start a back-to-school shopping fund at a good online bank. Consider your most recent school shopping experience to set a budget for next year. Divide that number by 12 (monthly), or by the number of paychecks you expect next year. Deposit that amount each month into a designated back-to-school savings account. When next summer arrives you’ll have the cash available and a pre-determined budget to limit your spending.