More time to shop tax-free would help parents
As a single mother, I am grateful for the tax-free weekend allowed those of us responsible for obtaining school supplies and clothing for our children, to save a bit of money. Unfortunately, my mortgage, like many parents' mortgages, is paid during the end-of-the-month period. Some of us won't have the financial resources to purchase many items needed for our children over one weekend.
I ask other parents who are grateful for this tax-free weekend, but would also like to see the tax-free weekend extended beyond three days, to please write to our newspaper editor but also to those in Raleigh — our state House and Senate members, who can actually do something about it.
If I were a state legislator, I would support and draft legislation to extend the tax-free weekend to a period of time when all parents could benefit and provide the necessary items for their children without forgoing paying other bills.
All parents need to voice their concerns and ask for an extension of the tax-free weekend beyond three days. Together we can all make a difference.
Olga Morgan Wright
Greensboro
Comments (8)
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Ms. Wright, you're aiming too low.
If you're going to day dream anyway, start with a tax free eternity and negotiate from there.
Posted on August 3, 2006 4:21 AM
"As a single mother, I am grateful for the tax-free weekend allowed...."
"Grateful" "allowed"....wow
"Grateful" that the govt. doesn't confiscate 7 cents out of every dollar you spend for 3 measly days. How about the other 362 days?
Imagine....the govt. actually "allows" you to spend your own money on your children as you see fit Ms. Wright!!
The tax free weekend only saves 7% on purchases as compared to deeper merchant discounts, yet consumers flock in droves to stores on this weekend. I rarely buy clothes; 1) I don't care about the latest fashions, golf shirts are fine 2) I hate clothes shopping, 3)my wife usually buys me clothes for my birthday (which is today BTW) and Christmas. I am pulled to buy this weekend only for the satisfaction of not having 7% of my money confiscated by the govt. when I buy something. I bet there are others like me.
Posted on August 3, 2006 8:34 AM
Good grief. It's too bad that the state has seen its way clear to grant a tax-free weekend to enable parents' purchase of school supplies for their children, but is so insensitive that it makes it at the end of the month. As someone said in an earlier strand, this is the "culture of complaint" run rampant. Americans sure have it rough in this century, don't they?
I agree with janherman, if you are going to complain when American life is as good as it has ever been, then think on a broader level. Perhaps, the LTE writer should complain that the state should give a tax rebate to facilitate the purchases, along with a more convenient time of the month.
Posted on August 3, 2006 8:43 AM
Happy Birthday, Dan..
Posted on August 3, 2006 8:45 AM
As a mother of three school age youth I have found that the tax free weekend doesn't help us out at all. Many stores have inferior quality school products, particularly backpacks and lunch boxes at full or inflated price. Any money saved on tax doesn't end up in my pocket.
While it is difficult to remember, I try to pick up school supplies throughout the year and only when they are on sale. Students can start the year with the barest basics. Their teachers will give them lists that differ from what the websites recommend anyway. Two weeks after school starts the prices go down.
Posted on August 3, 2006 9:58 AM
I agree wholeheartedly with the idea of tax rebates to facilitate purchases of school specific items. This way, any time of year a purchase is for educational needs, a rebate would be forthcoming to the parents ... some are more fortunate than others and can purchase throughout the year, some are not and the 7% can make a small difference in purchases ...
I also agree with the mother that most prices go down a few weeks after the tax free week-end is over, more than 7% in most cases ... some can purchase throughout the year, some save for specific times of the year, saving for a tax free period does benefit some and while others it as another waste of time in fooling the masses to converge over a little of nothing ... it depends on whose budget and finances you are looking at at the time ...
The tax rebate is an idea worth holding onto for future reference... thank you.
Posted on August 3, 2006 10:39 AM
I say buy one big ticket item that may sell out before the sales start, you know, just to take a little back from uncle sam. For the most part though, retailers are not going to be running "real" sales that weekend because they know it would be foolish when the people are going to come for the tax break anyway. I know that they ran some sales the first year, but after seeing the bottom line they realized that actually discounting items made little difference on sales. Save your money, shop later on. Most kids have enough summer clothes to make it the first few weeks of school and winter clothes are discounted before the weather even gets cold enough to take the ones you buy now out of the closet. Hello? Don't you wonder why they already have winter clothes in the store in August? Its because they deeply discounted and sold out of the summer clothes in June.
No kidding. June 14th. Gap Kids. All Tshirts and Polo's were 70 % off.
Posted on August 3, 2006 12:42 PM
Happy Birthday!
Posted on August 3, 2006 1:24 PM