Mariner Finance Blog

5 Valentine’s Day Ideas on a Budget

5 Valentine’s Day Ideas on a Budget
Mariner Finance
July 11, 2016

With back-to-school season looming ahead, it’s a good idea to start looking for ways to save on all those end of summer purchases. We took a look at the states we are currently located in, and found that many of them offer tax-free shopping days in 2016. These sales tax holidays are a great way to save money this upcoming school year. Don’t live in one of these states? Plan a day trip with family to a participating state, or contact your state legislator for more information about how to make this possible in your community.

AlabamaAugust 5-7Alabama gives shoppers the opportunity to purchase certain school supplies, clothing, and computers free of state sales tax, as long as the item is within a set dollar amount. Clothing must be under $100 per item, computers must be under $750 per item, and school supplies must be under $50 per item. Check out Alabama’s Department of Revenue for an in-depth explanation of what items are exempt during this tax holiday.

DelawareAll year longIf you live in Delaware, you can purchase items tax-free 365 days of the year! For those who live in surrounding states, consider taking a day trip to some of Delaware’s best outlet centers and malls to take advantage of this ongoing deal.

FloridaAugust 5-7Florida offers a three day sales tax holiday this year, exempting certain items from state and local sales taxes. Clothing, footwear, and certain accessories must sell for $60 or less per item and school supplies must sell for $15 or less per item to qualify as tax-free. Florida’s Department of Revenue offers a list of items that qualify for the tax exemption for your convenience.

MarylandAugust 14-20For one week you can purchase certain items tax-free in the state of Maryland. Apparel and footwear under $100 per item qualify for this offer. For a complete list of what is included and excluded in the Maryland Tax-Free Week, check out Comptroller of Maryland for FAQs and other information. Not looking for clothing or footwear? In February, Maryland offers Shop Maryland Energy Tax-Free days by providing savings on Energy Star Products.

OhioAugust 5-72016 is Ohio’s second year participating in a tax-free holiday. Apparel and footwear is exempt from state taxes if it is purchased for $75 or less per item. School supplies and instructional materials are exempt if they are purchased for $20 or less per item. Learn more about this sales tax holiday on the Ohio Department of Taxation’s website and make sure you check out the Frequently Asked Questions page, too!

TennesseeJuly 29-31Tennessee is offering incredible savings on clothing and footwear items each under $100 per item. This state also features school supplies under $100 and computers for personal use priced under $1,500 as tax-free. For complete details, visit the Tennessee Department of Revenue website for more information about this sales tax holiday.

TexasAugust 5-7Texas is a longtime participant of the sales tax holiday. This state offers tax-free shopping on most clothing items, backpacks, and school supplies priced under $100, which could save shoppers up to $8 per $100 spent! The Texas Comptroller outlines details for each category on their website if you’re looking for more information.

VirginiaAugust 5-7Virginia combines savings on both back-to-school and Energy Star Products in a three day tax-free weekend. Like most states, you can purchase clothing and footwear for under $100 per item and schools supplies for under $20 per item tax-free. You can also purchase Energy Star Products, for personal use up to $2,500 or less, as well as select hurricane and emergency preparedness items tax-free during this time period. Check out the Virginia Department of Taxation website for details and information on how you can save during the sales tax holiday this year.

With back-to-school approaching and fall expenses adding up, we know that this can be an expensive time of year. Here at Mariner Finance, we make loans for just about any reason and work with you to find payment options that fit your budget and needs. Call or stop by your local branch today to see how we can help, or apply now online today!