In the past, I never thought it would be worth it to brave the crowds to avoid paying sales tax on three glue sticks and a pack of notebook paper. However, this year I needed some electronics. Two laptops and a netbook to be specific. Laptops for my college bound money drains and a netbook for the family to replace my dearly departed laptop - may she rest in peace.
I have mixed feelings about the tax-free weekend. Can our state afford to relinquish millions of dollars of tax money for that weekend? Of course not. Did I want to be a martyr and buy my electronics on Thursday and pay the tax? No, that didn't quite sound logical either.That is how my daughter and I found ourselves out with the rest of Tennessee shopping on Saturday. Now, I am not a woman who does the Black Friday thing. That is a day for eating leftovers and sleeping, if you ask me. And I will wait a full two weeks to exchange a Christmas present. So what if I have to exchange a nice coat for a swimsuit the first week of January. Sooner or later it will be warm again. It just isn't worth fighting the crowd for me to go any sooner.
I had no idea so many folks went out in force for these tax-free weekends. Fascinating, really. If all the stores had a 10% off sale, do you think anyone would go? No. But to keep a little money back from the government? Fill up the gas tank and let's go shopping.
At one point, my daughter and I found ourselves pushed into the back of a Rue 21 store (which is crammed full on a regular day) and I truly feared for our safety. I thought we were going to have to do that sitcom trick of crawling out through the bottom of the sales racks and between people's feet. We decided we would leave and happily pay the tax on any thing she needed from there at a later date.
So, what does all this mean? For our family, we finally have two functioning computers (the kids' laptops will be here Wednesday). I love my little netbook. I could tuck that thing into my purse and travel happily through life. Except my daughter is on it right now. Oh well.For the local stores, employees got a lot of hours of pay this weekend. The stores moved a lot of merchandise. Giddiness was in the air.
For our state, I guess we are further in the red. There is talk of not having it next year but who wants to put money on whether any lawmakers are brave enough to vote against it in the face of moms who want to do their back to school shopping tax free? My money is on us having it again next August.
I'm planning on staying home. I may even cook a Turkey the day before it begins.
Posts
95 comments:
I'm the first comment?!
It's a psychological thing...even though a 10% off sale would save you more than the tax, right? Oh well.
Glad you got your little netbook!! You're officially cooler than me - I don't even know what a netbook is. Is it like a Kindle?
I'm giddy! I've never been first. Let's go two for two...can I be first AND second?
If I am, I promise I'll leave you alone now. ;-) Happy Monday!
I can't decide if I am seething that I have no spending money for these TAX FREE days or if I am grateful.
I could do some serious damage.
All of the sudden I would be "needing" fur trimmed heels and designer foundation garments.
Glad you found a netbook, even if you lost your sanity!
I hate shopping so this would never work for me...
Hope your elbows are not too sore from having to throw a few here and there to get the "things" you needed. Electronics is a good way to go.
The tax is almost 14% here.... sigh. I purchase little to nothing until I am in the States. Which lucky for me is often.
Got myself a netbook this weekend too! Lovin' it.
Hooray for new stuff, and even better without tax!
I got used to tax-free goods as I grew up in Oregon, where there is still no sales tax (as far as I know).
The tax here is brutal -- 19.6%! Makes me think twice about buying anything.
I do not like to shop. Except at bookstores and home improvement behemoths.
Anyway, I am a fan of the online shopping. Which often comes without tax anyway. Even if it does, for me the convenience of not having to leave my house more than makes up for the bit I pay in taxes.
P.S. I hate to pay shipping and handling costs and will waste a lot of time searching for places that don't charge (or charge a minimal amount) for S/H.
We all have areas of parsimony that don't make a lot of sense except to us :-)
Tax-free weekends? That's new to me. Maybe you could let me know in advance and I'll shell out a ton of money to fly out and take advantage, ending up spending even more!
How high is the sales tax in Tennessee that it would be a big savings for folks to have a "Tax free" day? Penna has a 6% sales tax on all but food products I think it is. I figure since I am no longer among the employed and thus, not paying in any state income tax, this is about the only way I am supporting my state, which obviously has to have some way to draw in money, doesn't it? Actually, I think they get more than their fair share from me via the nicotine (sin) tax -since I am still one of those hold-outs on quitting. Really should, wish I could, quit. Maybe one of these days I'll manage that and then, watch the state go bankrupt from not getting all THAT revenue from me! (I'm with you on boycotting the Black Friday sales day too although both my daughters make it their personal holiday with a couple of their friends. They're insane!)
I braved the crowds too because it was important to me to save nine cents on a small bottle og GermX - lol. The stores weren't too bad in Sevierville, but trying to drive back mixed in with the tourist trying to leave town was no picnic.
That's cool! That's really a great savings if you get a lot of stuff. I wish they had something like that here, although I think they did do a tax free day once years ago.
There's a lesson for the government in there somewhere :-)
P.S. would you mind doing a review of your netbook? Are you able to create a blog post on it? Or just read blogs and e-mail, etc. I'm dying to become mobile, but a full out lap top is not in the economic cards right now, even with a tax free weekend. Forgive me my technical ignorance!
Okay, I must live under a rock - I've never heard of a netbook...googling it now.
I hate crowds too - you wouldn't catch me out there unless I absolutely had -- and then, I'd be there right when the stores opened. I think your idea of staying home and cooking is much better!
can you tell more about the netbook...i am supposed to go get one..
i happy for you...
oh, those tax-free weekends are a true test of sanity!! :D
:) I have not needed any big items, so I skip our states tax free weekend. That is unless like this year, I forget and find myself in a store wondering why is it so packed!?! I hate crowds like that and the 7% just isn't worth it. Plus, if you wait until a day or two after school starts, you can stock up on some of the stuff at a discount greater than the tax free discount!
I agree with you on black friday - no thank you! give me food. give me sleep!
Smiles!
I'll stay home too.
Thank you for the sweet comment on my blog! :)
You're blog is hilarious!!
I never do black friday, and I only had a vague awareness that it was tax free weekend. I did purchase one thing and then in retrospect noticed we didn't pay sales tax.
I absolutely hate shopping in crowds. I would rather do it all online.
I didn't realize they were talking about doing away with it next year. I don't need a laptop right now but I was already planning to buy one next year during the tax-free weekend. Oh well!
Hmm, I'm glad I decided to skip this. Maybe one day when I really need something (besides just size 5 diapers), I'll face the dreaded crowd as you did. But I'm so with you Debbie, I'm NOT a Black Friday shopper!!! Last year on the day after Thanksgiving, my family went bowling. We had turkey hotdogs and finished about a six pack of beer before 10:30 a.m. It was delightful (and funny to see all the other dads stuck with their kids while mom was out shopping, I might add). LOL!
There were lots of people I know here in Kentucky flooding to Tennessee for the tax free weekend!
Thanks for visiting my blog today!
I'm with you, I don't need anything bad enough to fight the crowds. But, hmmm, money does talk I guess. I'm all for saving too.
I went shopping; I have to check my receipts and see if I saved any money!
Too funny--I don't like shopping with or without tax breaks.
Ohio doesn't do this and I am guessing they won't start. However, I like to shop when I visit Pennsylvania - they don't have a sales tax unless it's considered a luxury item (ie: things you don't "need" china, crystal, stereos/music and bigger stuff). Things like "needs" (clothing, shoes - y'know, the important stuff in my book) doesn't get taxed ever.
I did not go out this weekend...
1st i couldnt even if I wanted to-back issues 2nd only the crazies come out on tax free weekends and Black fridays
Wow-good for you for braving those crowds! I don't think I could do it...way too scary.
And good for your state for stickin' it to the man:)
I'm getting to the stage where I don't even 'do' shopping anymore, let alone sales!! Well done!!
There are time when living in the middle of nowhere has it's advantages. I strolled through the aisles with ease on Saturday.
Happy to see you survived. I hate shopping with crowds. As far as sales tax, I live very close to Delaware, which has no sales tax. Even though Maryland has a tax-free day to shop I don't feel the pressure to participate.
I'm with ya. I'm more than fine to sleep in and forget Black Friday. I'm more than happy to sleep in and forget most regular Friday's!
I'm not a black friday shopper either, but you made thee tax free shopping days sound pretty cool. Thanks for welcoming me to "blog wold" I'm enjoying it! :)
I love that idea but our state is one of the most financially unhealthy in the nation. We'd never have that.
They're about to snatch away all of the state given college scholarship money back. That's the only help my son gets. Thank goodness my daughter goes out of state.
I want a tax free weekend!! Excellent. I would think more sales would be generated from the one day of shopping. Whenever I buy something, I inevitably need more stuff to go with it. You need software now!! to go with the computers and maybe a new wireless router. See... you will be back to buy more stuff and maybe new shoes for the new jeans.
Brilliant and funny post - thank you!!! For me this year? I didn't need much and stayed home. It's just SOOOO NOT WORTH IT to me!!
TAX FREE WEEKEND!?!?! I would givem y left ovary for a tax free weekend.
We had tax free weekend in NC. too. It was the first time we've participated and, WOW, did I ever underestimate the enthusiasm it generated. The stores were a mess...
Enjoy your new computer!!
Oh fun!! I didn't even know they had these tax free days!
A netbook? Hmmmm? Off to google it.
Ilove black friday....I actually must say it is because I have a great time with my oldest niece....We laugh, have hot cocoa, and just bond! Good times. Glad you had a fun day with your daughter!
What's a netbook?
we don't have this where we are, i am thinking it probably boosts sales because it is a psychological thing.
We've had a single day here in MA for a few years. This year not only did they say no to a tax free day, they raised the sales tax 25%.
Makes me want to run right out and buy something pricey.
You gotta be in the right frame of mind for that kind of shopping. Sometimes, it's just not worth it!
Girlfriend, I couldn't agree more. I refuse to go shopping on Black Friday, I don't care how great the sales are. People are maniacs, acting like savages over a $50 gift the recipient will forget about in a couple weeks anyway.
It's awful.
That weekend actually seems like it would be a boost to the economy though. Many more shoppers than normal, obviously.
Happy netbooking. :)
It's all psychological....
If it seems like a deal people will think it was a deal. And yes, it is always good to screw the government.
Montana has no sales tax. But we get hit in other ways. It all comes out in the end.
Oh God. I hate Tax-free weekend. Ours is coming up soon... I'll have to board up the windows again..
Congrats on the new netbook! Your photos always crack me up!
Ugh I hate crowds like that too. You will never ever ever see me out on a Black Friday. I will pay full price for my electronis thank you very much. Now maybe if it was by 1 pair of shoes and get 5 pairs free....well Id stand in line for days before to get to that one!
I hear you. I will spend extra to maintain my sanity. It's just nuts!!
I didn't even know about this tax-free day thing. We don't have that here. But our clothes are always tax free. Nice.
I'm glad you didn't get trampled.
The only time we shopped on a tax free weekend was when we needed to buy some new furniture and a new mattress. It's worth it if you're buying expensive items, but I'm with you. If I'm just buying glue sticks and notebooks, I'll pay the tax and save the hassle. And Black Friday is definitely about sleeping in and relaxing. I've NEVER gone shopping on that day.
Wow~we don't do that in our state! Sounds good though!
I guess it makes sense for big purchase items, but I'm so ridiculously frugal (honestly, cheap) right now that unless it's 70% off too, I'll pass. LOL :)
Blessings,
Carolynn
I would absolutely without a doubt have been one of those shoppers. Not even really because of the tax free part but I LOVE feverish shopping. I am totally a black friday girl (not an early one, but one none the less) and I love it every year. The crazies out in full force pulling things every which way. Exciting!
I think this is a great way to stimulate the local economy. Yes it does not pay the tax bill, however it does spur the economy which in the long run will create more revenue all the way around. I grew up in a sales tax free state and I remember being amazed when I went to another state and a .99 cent item cost $1.04.
Congratulations on the new netbook. A momentous occasion.
I hate going on crazy days like that but will for really good deals. If I was buying computers I totally would have gone out to the stores too.
We like the tax-free weekend here, because the stores get very competitive. Saving the 8.25% sales tax isn't great, but saving 8.25% plus the 50%-75% some stores do is.
So jealous, CA doesn't get one!! Some lame ass reason about being bankrupt.
I avoid the 'tax free' weekends (and Black Friday) like a plague for the very reasons you've mentioned. Though it would be nice to get a netbook cheap... ;)
LOL Your pictures are hilarious!!
I wish our state had a tax free day and that I needed big items. But I am with you, just to save a couple of bucks, I won't fight the crowds. I never shop on black Friday either...
I bet that day would give me that extra fix I only get from Black Friday. Good Ol' Utah doesn't have that shopping day but if it did I would totally be there! :)
Glad you got your computers.
I live in "Tax Free New Hampshire". Come shopping up here anytime and NEVER pay tax!
I am completely crowd-phobic, which is why I share your disdain for black Friday and Christmas returns. But tax free weekend? I have never even heard of such a thing. And I think it could tempt me right into the mall.
Although Aunt LoLo makes a good point. 10% off sounds sort of measly. Tax free is such a euphemism.
I don't think we've had ours yet. And I thought it was only for clothes? Maybe they've changed it up.
Sounds like you definitely hit the jackpot, though!
Sounds like a fun day to me!! Wish CA had a tax free day.
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
We participated in our this past weekend as well. We went on Friday afternoon and it wasn't so bad but this is the first time I have done this. I don't do the whole Black Friday thing, I just do not see myself standing in the cold at 4-5 o'clock in the morning to get good deals. But I may change my mind as the boys get older.
I think I am glad that we didn't have that in our state. I never go out on Black Friday either. Unless it's to a movie or something.
I was beyond bummed that I missed the tax free weekend. We were in Texas Thursday-Sunday. So much for buying my Macbook this weekend...
I didn't get to do TN tax free this weekend due to being stuck in bed BUT I heard it was CRAZY! I am glad you ended up getting some things. I did buy my Mac last year at tax free weekend and it definitely saves money on big purchases!!
my guess is that i'd TOTALLY buy the big-ticket items on a tax-free day.
cuz that way i *stick it to the man!*
yep. that's my story and i'm stickin' to it.
I'm just glad you made it out alive.
We saved a HUGE amount of money a few years back on our trip to FL by shopping on Tax Free Weekend! I wish they did it in AZ!
my mom and i brave the crazies the day after thanksgiving only out of tradition...not because i really need anything....come to think of it, i'd rather be sleeping!
I love the hysteria associated with these "sales"- I think some people just get caught up in the adrenaline of it all, because as you state, 10% is just 10%! But, the stores need the sales- you know the economy and all. ;-)
I am so not a shopper. But it sounds like you were brave and determined.
Love Renee xoxoxo
I'm with you. I'll pay the tax or full price or whatever just to avoid the crazy crowds! Congratulations on your purchases:) You earned them!
My state had it's tax free weekend as well. I was nearly maimed in a Gymboree.
Wait...DON'T COOK THAT TURKEY!!!
lol
xoxoxo
LOL I'm so that crazy person that gets up at 4am to do the Black Friday. Even funnier I have Rick get the paper the night before I go threw all the ads and map out my list of what I need and make a game plan of what stores to hit and what order ... LOL
I know but some deals are amazing and you just have to do it. Secret you have one person stand in line while you shop. then you trade! Best done in groups of 3 but 2 works also. This way you get threw the line quick and on to the next store ;). Yup down to a science!
No tax so missed that one. But great on the big items, bet you saved a ton! Right on :)
Love the bikini shot ... to flippin funny!
I went out with a friend on Saturday afternoon during our tax free weekend and was surprised to find that it was possibly lighter than a usual Saturday afternoon. I was a bit of an idiot though, and almost asked the cashier why there wasn't tax (I was focused on the good deals they were offering!).
We don't have that tax free day. I think our state is trying to put in extra tax day - where they tax you for breathing.
Our family tradition is to say NO on Black Friday and put up Christmas decoration.
Tax free shopping? Very cool. Of course if it was California we'd get an IOU for the taxes :-)
Congrats on the new electronics-- I get you saved a pretty penny!
I'm just back from vacation so I'm off to catch up on your other posts.
xo
Lawd, we had tax free weekend too - but I stayed out of the stores.....
How's things? any kin sightings lately? *smiling*
this whole thing is insane. I swear the stores mark the prices up in advance anyway. I went to staples and noticed their 1 cent special on notebook paper was from the previous Sunday to Wed only. No deals on anything that I saw.
Oh, and the only reason I ventured out was to get a computer mouse and I noticed when I got to the car that they charged me sales tax anyway!!!!
This reminds me of when IHOP was giving away free breakfast, lines were so long it reminded me of a soup kitchen. Sounds like you got some cool stuff!
Congrats on the netbook!
Glad to hear you made it out alive, women who think they are getting a bargain are dangerous creatures and should not be messed with or looked directly in the eye...
http://wannabeworkathomemommy.blogspot.com
Hi Debbie, it is so nice to be here in your blog again. I agree with Aunt Lolo, it is a psychological thing. I only go to a store or mall if I need something. I avoided the possibility of buying things that I don't really need at that moment.
Wow! I can't imagine that it's so busy just because of the no tax - amazing! You were brave!
I am an avid Black Friday shopper. I love the rush. I can't imagine what I would be like on a tax free shopping day.
You are so hilarious. I was all agreeing with you (and still am), but the last sentence made me roll on the floor.
I've never been shopping at our state's sales tax holiday. I hate shopping on a slow day. (And Black Friday IS for sleeping and leftover.s There's a REASON it's called "BLACK Friday!") And honestly, the sales tax on a $0.20 box of crayons? I think I can afford it. But I will admit to buying $450 worth of adhesive ONLINE to save the tax on that. It's about how much I'll use in a year, and then I don't have to think about it any more. But I really wonder why the states do it. Are they getting a kickback from the merchants who do extra business? What is the benefit?
Post a Comment