{"id":132917,"date":"2025-08-09T23:22:09","date_gmt":"2025-08-09T23:22:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/132917\/"},"modified":"2025-08-09T23:22:09","modified_gmt":"2025-08-09T23:22:09","slug":"how-houston-parents-can-save-on-school-shopping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/132917\/","title":{"rendered":"How Houston parents can save on school shopping"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">With <a href=\"https:\/\/www.click2houston.com\/topic\/Back_To_School\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.click2houston.com\/topic\/Back_To_School\/\">back-to-school season<\/a> fast approaching, Houston parents are looking for ways to cut costs on school supplies and clothing. From Texas\u2019 annual tax-free weekend to thrifting secondhand finds and taking advantage of local supply giveaways, there are several ways families can stretch their budgets and get students ready for the new school year without overspending.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">The state\u2019s annual tax-free weekend runs from August 8 through August 10, giving shoppers a chance to skip sales tax on many back-to-school essentials.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\"><b>MORE DETAILS: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.click2houston.com\/news\/local\/2025\/07\/24\/what-to-know-if-youre-planning-on-back-to-school-shopping-during-texas-tax-free-weekend\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.click2houston.com\/news\/local\/2025\/07\/24\/what-to-know-if-youre-planning-on-back-to-school-shopping-during-texas-tax-free-weekend\/\"><b>What to know if you\u2019re planning on back-to-school shopping during Texas\u2019 tax-free weekend<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\"><b>What qualifies as tax-free?<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Shoppers can expect tax exemptions on:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 kDvXdO font_openSans articleList\">\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\">\n<p>Clothing and footwear (shirts, jeans, athletic socks, cowboy boots)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\">\n<p>Backpacks designed for student use (up to $100)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\">\n<p>School supplies (notebooks, pens, calculators, art supplies)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\">\n<p>Fabric and disposable face masks<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\"><b>Items that don\u2019t qualify<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Certain items are excluded, including:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 kDvXdO font_openSans articleList\">\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\">\n<p>Items priced at $100 or more<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\">\n<p>Special-purpose clothing (football pads, golf cleats)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\">\n<p>Accessories (jewelry, handbags, wallets, watches, luggage)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\">\n<p>Computers, software, and textbooks<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\">\n<p>Sewing supplies like fabric, buttons, and thread<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">For online purchases, the total price including shipping must remain under $100 for the item to qualify. The item must also be paid for or ordered during the tax-free weekend.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 kDvXdO font_openSans articleList\">\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\"\/><\/ul>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">In addition to the tax-free weekend, families can find even more ways to save by shopping secondhand. Many thrift stores across Houston are stocked with gently-used or even brand-new clothing items, often still with tags. Backpacks, school uniforms, and everyday essentials like jeans and t-shirts can be found at a fraction of retail prices. Online resale platforms like Poshmark also offer a wide selection of kids\u2019 clothing and accessories, making it possible to score high-quality items without paying full price.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 kDvXdO font_openSans articleList\">\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\"\/><\/ul>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">For families looking for extra assistance, several organizations throughout Houston are hosting back-to-school giveaways that provide free or heavily discounted school supplies. Community groups, local nonprofits, and school districts often organize distribution events where students can receive essentials like backpacks, notebooks, and writing supplies at no cost. <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Many of these events also include <a href=\"https:\/\/www.click2houston.com\/news\/local\/2025\/08\/01\/health-fairs-giveaways-and-vaccines-houston-preps-for-back-to-school-season\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.click2houston.com\/news\/local\/2025\/08\/01\/health-fairs-giveaways-and-vaccines-houston-preps-for-back-to-school-season\/\">health fairs<\/a> that offer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.click2houston.com\/news\/local\/2025\/08\/01\/health-fairs-giveaways-and-vaccines-houston-preps-for-back-to-school-season\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.click2houston.com\/news\/local\/2025\/08\/01\/health-fairs-giveaways-and-vaccines-houston-preps-for-back-to-school-season\/\">free vaccinations<\/a>, vision screenings, and other resources to help children start the school year ready and prepared.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\"><b>READ MORE: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.click2houston.com\/news\/local\/2025\/08\/01\/health-fairs-giveaways-and-vaccines-houston-preps-for-back-to-school-season\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.click2houston.com\/news\/local\/2025\/08\/01\/health-fairs-giveaways-and-vaccines-houston-preps-for-back-to-school-season\/\"><b>Health fairs, giveaways, and vaccines: Houston preps for back-to-school season<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Shoppers can maximize savings by stacking tax-free discounts with back-to-school sales and storewide promotions on supplies, lunchboxes, and shoes.<\/p>\n<p>Things to Do<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kiwhtN\">More Stories Like This In Our Email Newsletter<\/p>\n<p>Copyright 2025 by KPRC Click2Houston &#8211; All rights reserved.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"With back-to-school season fast approaching, Houston parents are looking for ways to cut costs on school supplies and&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":132918,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5130],"tags":[13915,4345,6763,11645,80529,358,3187],"class_list":{"0":"post-132917","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-houston","8":"tag-back-to-school","9":"tag-houston","10":"tag-savings","11":"tag-school","12":"tag-school-shopping","13":"tag-texas","14":"tag-tx"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115001382895565949","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/132917","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=132917"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/132917\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/132918"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=132917"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=132917"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=132917"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}