Tax Free Weekend Texas has begun. This year marks the 14th annual Tax Free Holiday.

The Tax Free Weekend Texas 2012 lets you save the sales tax for general merchandise purchased in Texas is scheduled for August 17-19, 2012 and applies to the following items:

• Clothing and footwear under $100
• School supplies under $100
• Backpacks under $100 for elementary and secondary students
• Includes layaway items

The savings on sales tax will certainly fill the malls, Target, Walmart and other retailers.  In general, you will save about $8.00 for every $100.00 spent.

Take the advice my sister-in-law with 4 girls goes by for this year’s Tax Free Weekend Texas 2012:

Don’t make the mistake of buying items that you don’t need just because of the sales tax holiday. After all, the sales tax rate is 8.25%, so that’s the amount you would be saving by shopping during the tax free weekend.

By all means, make a list and take it with you.

Stick with a budget.

Plan ahead.  A lot of stores will have extra coupons or special sales hours.   You can save even more.

As for me,  I will stay far way from any stores this weekend.