Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday

The Missouri tax-free weekend runs through midnight Sunday. Certain back-to-school purchases, such as clothing, school supplies, computers and other items as defined by the Missouri statute, are exempt from sales tax for this time period only. The sales tax holiday applies to state and local sales taxes when a local jurisdiction chooses to participate in the holiday. However, some local jurisdictions can choose not to participate in the holiday (find the full list at dor.mo.gov/tax/business/sales/taxholiday/school).

What's covered:

Clothing • any article having a taxable value of $100 or less

School supplies • not to exceed $50 per purchase

Computer software • taxable value of $350 or less

Personal computers • not to exceed $3,500

Computer peripheral devices • not to exceed $3,500

St. Louis Mills is one of the few area shopping centers that is completely tax-free, with Hazelwood also waiving its local tax. To learn more, visit stlouismills.com.

Illinois' sales tax holiday is a 10-day period (Aug. 6 through Aug. 15, 2010) during which consumers can purchase certain items and pay sales tax at a reduced rate. Items include qualifying clothing and footwear with a retail selling price of less than $100 and certain school supplies used by students in the course of study. School supplies are not subject to the $100 threshold. For example, if the sales tax rate is 9.750 percent, the reduced amount (state portion) is 5.000 percent. Your sales tax rate during the holiday period will be 4.750 percent.

To learn more, visit tax.illinois.gov./SalesTaxHoliday.htm.

Facebook page for college students

There's a new Facebook page for college students called GradeGuru.com. The site is a free knowledge-sharing network where college students can share and find class-specific study materials, learn collaboratively and build their academic reputations to earn rewards, internships and career opportunities. You can also share your study notes to help others. To join this free site, visit GradeGuru.com.

Money-saving tips for back to school

1. Start shopping early • Take advantage of sales, clearance areas and deals you find all summer and put things away for back to school. This is great for clothing as well as school supplies.

2. Start with a plan • Many parents make the mistake of heading out to the store without a plan or list. Even the best coaches have a game plan, and you should, too. Without a plan, it's a sure-fire way to overspend. Taking a few minutes to make a list will help you stay on track and avoid those impulse purchases.

3. Compare ads • For school supplies it is great to look at all your local circular ads to see who has the items you need the cheapest. Then, pick one store and have that store price-match the other ads to avoid going all over town.

4. Shop tax free days • Many states have special dates before school starts where you can get clothing and school supplies tax-free. Stores take advantage of this and offer very good sales. So, you can shop on these days to get discounts and not pay tax.

5. Buy better backpacks • As children get older, buying a better-quality backpack can save money in the long run. It costs more upfront, but it will prevent you from having to replace it after a year or two. Some brands such as L.L. Bean will even replace your backpack if it breaks.

6. Shop off-price stores • Many kids want designer name brands, and shopping at off-price stores like TJ Maxx and Marshalls can allow you to buy them the name brands they want for less.

7. Multiplication • Make several trips to break it up and keep focused. Divide the trips so that one day you focus on school supplies and accessories and another day you get fashion items.

Source: Jenny Martin of Southernsavers.com and TJ Maxx and Marshalls.

Back-to-school specials for teachers

The Organized Teacher Program is taking place through Dec. 31 at The Container Store, 1769 South Brentwood Boulevard. The Container Store is helping teachers start off and make their way through the entire school year with a special offer of 15 percent off all regularly priced merchandise in the store. Teachers must sign up to receive the discount. Visit www.containerstore.com/teachers/index.htm and fill out the form.

$250 backpack giveaway

To help students stock up on back-to-school supplies, Zebra Pen Corp. is offering one St. Louis student the chance to win a backpack filled with an assortment of pens and pencils (a $250 value). To enter, visit stlmommy.com/2010/07/back-to-school-zebra-pen-250-giveaway.html.

HIGH-LOW

Have you seen this bag by Ben Sherman? We spotted the bag at ebags.com for $67.49. We found the same bag available at Marshalls and TJ Maxx stores for $39.99.