Archive for the ‘back-to-school’ Category

School has already started across much of metro Atlanta, but the back-to-school shopping season is about to hit its stride.

For the first time since 2009, shoppers can avoid paying sales taxes on their clothes and shoes, computers and their crayons and other supplies. Previously, Georgia had had annual tax holidays beginning in 2002.

Here’s what you need to know about this year’s sales tax holiday:

When: 12:01 a.m. Friday morning to midnight Saturday evening

What’s included: Clothes and shoes that cost less than $100 per item. School supplies that cost less than $20 an item. Computer-related electronics in a single purchase that cost $1,000 or less.

What’s not included: Clothing accessories, computer gaming systems and cellular devices, furniture, medical supplies, janitorial supplies. Anything sold at a hotel, restaurant, airport or theme park. Rentals or items used in a business, or for resale, are not exempt from paying tax.

Examples: Here’s the official list of …

Continue reading Friday-Saturday’s sales tax holiday: What you need to know »

Schools are starting back for fall and this weekend is Georgia’s first sales tax holiday on back-to-school purchases since 2009. Savings are big throughout August on school items, but not having to pay sales taxes makes those savings even sweeter.

Shoppers won’t pay sales tax this Friday and Saturday on a range of back-to-school items: clothing and shoes less than $100 per item, computers and accessories $1,000 or less and school supplies less than $20 per item. Expect to see school supplies marked down to rock-bottom prices at all types of stores, says Coupon Mom Stephanie Nelson, so stock up to take advantage of the slashed prices and save the cost of the sales tax, too.

But savvy shoppers know the savings get even better when you plan ahead.

There are plenty of ads out there, so you can do some comparison shopping at home. Make a list of what you need, and who has the best values, so you’ll also save on gas by not pulling into every store you see. Relax and watch a …

Continue reading Sales tax holiday + back-to-school sales = savings »

Back-to-school sales rule in August, but you’ll also see summer clearance on clothing and outdoor gear.

Back to school

Clothing, supplies: When it comes to saving money, bundling is your best bet. Groupon, for example, has already begun to offer backpack deals and supply bundles. And some online retailers will run sales you can combine with an extra coupon code and free shipping. “We see this a lot with clothing, especially the brands the kids like,” said Brent Shelton, a spokesman with consumer site FatWallet.com. Abercrombie & Fitch and Aeropostale offered their best discounts of the year last August.

Laptops and more: Retailers like Amazon, Microsoft and Sony will probably offer laptop bundles in August, when higher-end models might be paired with an Xbox, PlayStation or gift card, says Lindsay Sakraida, features editor at DealNews.com. “Amazon sometimes will even offer both a console and a gift card,” she said. “For some of the lower-end computers, you can …

Continue reading Save big on school supplies, clothing in August »

It might be the best back-to-school discount yet this season.

Today through Saturday, shoppers can get a backpack for one cent at OfficeMax stores nationwide or online.

Purchase one of more than 140 qualifying student backpacks, laptop backpacks, messenger bags and more using your MaxPerks Rewards card (it’s free to join) at OfficeMax and receive the entire cost of the backpack, minus one penny, back in your rewards account for future purchases. That’s it.

For example, if you purchase the Ful Overton Backpack for $39.99, you’ll receive $39.98 back immediately in your MaxPerks account for your next purchase.

Also: Watch our back-to-school Q&A for money-saving tips and dorm room ideas.

– By Lauren Davidson, Atlanta Bargain Hunter

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Continue reading Back-to-school: One-cent backpacks at OfficeMax »

UPDATE: If you missed our live back-to-school chat Sunday, here’s a replay you can share with other back-to-school deal-seekers.

PREVIOUSLY: Go to our live chat post for tips on where to find the best deals, coolest clothes and dorm trends this year.

You’ll need to use your Facebook login to enter the live chat and ask questions.

Don’t have a Facebook login? Leave a comment on the live chat post and our moderator will post it for you.

Continue reading Miss our chat on back-to-school bargains? Watch it now »

Staples: Erasers, index cards

Staples has Staples pink cap erasers (12 count) for one cent with a minimum purchase of $5 (regularly $1.29, limit two per customer). Get Staples ruled 3-inch by 5-inch white index cards (100 pack) for one cent with a minimum purchase of $5 (regularly $1, limit two per customer).

Walgreens: Folders, binders, pencils

Stock up on free or nearly free school supplies at Walgreens this week. Get Wexford or Oxford two-pocket folders with prongs for 12 cents each, 1-inch Wexford binders for 99 cents, Paper Mate mechanical pencils (10 count) for 49 cents, and Crayola colored pencils (12 count) for 99 cents. Find more school supply items at rock-bottom prices.

Office Depot: Rulers and binders

Office Depot has rulers and protractors on sale for 10 cents each. Wilson Jones 1-inch poly binders are 50 cents each (regularly $1.99), limit three. Scholastic Glue Sticks four-pack are on sale for 50 cents (regularly $1.59), limit three.

Breakfast to go

Belvita: …

Continue reading Coupon Mom: Deals on school supplies »

UPDATE: If you missed our live back-to-school chat Sunday, here’s a replay you can share with other back-to-school deal-seekers.

PREVIOUSLY:
Shhh! Don’t tell anyone — we’ve got the best back-to-school bargains for you and your family.

Tune in to our live video chat on the blog Sunday at 7 p.m. with Jessica Shops, fashionista and savings guru from JessicaShops.com.

Jessica will give us tips on where to find the best deals, coolest clothes and dorm trends this year. To ask Jessica questions on the Atlanta Bargain Hunter blog, you’ll need to use your Facebook login to enter the chat.

Don’t have a Facebook login? Leave a comment below and our moderator will post it for you.

– By Lauren Davidson, Atlanta Bargain Hunter

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Continue reading Miss our chat on back-to-school bargains? Here’s the replay »

Bag a deal

Back to school: Walgreens has backpacks and tote bags on sale “buy one, get one free.” Regularly $10.99, buy new backpacks for $5.50 each when you get two. This is a great time of year to buy extra deals like these to donate to a local charity that provides backpacks and school supplies to clients.

Triple play for savings

Coke, Keebler and Kellogg’s: Coca-Cola 2-liter bottles are on sale for $1 at CVS, and are included in a promotion that gives you $5 Extra Bucks Rewards when you spend $15 on selected Kellogg’s cereals, Keebler cookies or Coke 2-liter bottles (limit five bottles). If you bought four boxes of Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes cereal and used four of the 70-cent coupons for Frosted Flakes from the July 8 RedPlum circular, along with five bottles of Coke, your net cost after the $2.80 in coupons and $5 Extra Bucks would be $7.20 for all nine items, or only 80 cents each. You can find more Kellogg’s cereal coupons for $1 off three boxes in the …

Continue reading Coupon Mom: BOGO backpacks »

It seems the kids just went back to school and all of a sudden — Bam! — time to hunt for college scholarships.

Here’s the rub: Students need to apply for some scholarships before they have a good idea of all the costs going to college entails.

Each school is required by law to post a net price calculator on its website by Oct. 29 this year, helping families estimate the full cost of four years in college. Some applications for merit-based scholarships, however, are due as early as Saturday, especially some that are more prestigious or competitive. And there might be a lot of work involved: essays, recommendations from teachers and counselors, plus gathering transcripts and multiple test scores.

But a little preparation today can prevent you from missing a lot of deadlines tomorrow. Some tips from local area guidance counselors:

Strategize: One option is to get out of town. And state. And region. Colleges typically try to maintain regional diversity, so selecting a school …

Continue reading Develop strategy to land college scholarships »

School supply deals are now in session

OfficeMax: Just because school has started for many doesn’t mean the savings have stopped. I got the scoop on some unbelievable last-minute sales at OfficeMax to help students stock up. Grab composition books in multiple colors for 50 cents each. Keep projects together and get creative with OfficeMax white glue (4-ounce bottles) and 24-packs of Crayola Crayons for 20 cents each. Just Basics 12-packs of No. 2 pencils are 10 cents and select Schoolio one-subject notebooks are only a penny! Or, grab even more stylish supplies with funky binders and pens to make class more fun. Hurry, the sale ends Saturday.

A cute deal for little girls

Pocket Change: Pocket change is a new fashion accessory for clothing. Clip some “bling” onto your back pockets and update the look of your denim. Girls love these fun accessories and can choose designs to personalize their own style. These fun clips retail for $10 including shipping, but JessicaShops …

Continue reading Jessica Shops: Even more deals on school supplies »