All articles tagged with #school supplies
NYC parents and teachers are struggling to afford school supplies due to a 30% tariff on Chinese imports, leading to higher prices and increased financial strain, especially on low-income families, with many resorting to reusing supplies or seeking donations to cope with the rising costs.
Amazon Prime Day 2024 offers significant discounts on back-to-school essentials, including school supplies, backpacks, lunchboxes, tech gadgets, and clothing, making it an ideal time for parents to prepare for the upcoming academic year.
Authorities are warning parents and teachers about vapes disguised as school supplies, such as highlighters, USB drives, pens, and phones, which are being imported from China and sold in stores across the US. These vapes often come in kid-friendly flavors and pose risks of nicotine addiction, lung damage, gum disease, and oral cancers. Additionally, illegal vapes may contain dangerous substances, including fentanyl. The FDA is urged to enforce regulations and remove these products from shelves, while parents are advised to talk to their children about the dangers of using these disguised vapes.
Walmart offers a range of affordable back-to-school items for less than $20, including a dry erase calendar board, storage bins, a first-aid kit, water bottles, themed book bags, studio headphones, dry-erase markers, washable glue sticks, mechanical pencils, and a plastic storage cart. These items are practical, stylish, and help keep kids organized for the upcoming school year.
Seventeen states in the US are offering back-to-school sales tax holidays to provide relief to families amid rising prices, although two states, Illinois and Virginia, have opted out this year. The cost of school supplies has increased by 28% from last year, causing concerns among parents about being able to afford all the necessary items. Sales tax holidays are a popular way for parents to save money, with 66% intending to take advantage of them. The participating states have varying rules and dates, and local taxes may still apply in some cases.
Florida's back-to-school sales tax holiday has begun, allowing shoppers to purchase qualifying items without paying sales tax until August 6. The tax exemption applies to a wide range of items, including clothing, shoes, school supplies, computers, printers, headphones, and monitors. This year, there will be two school supply sales tax holidays, with the second one taking place in January.
As the back-to-school shopping season kicks off, consumers are looking for discounted deals on school supplies. Many retailers, including Amazon, Apple, Best Buy, Costco, Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Kohl's, JCPenney, Microsoft, Sam's Club, Staples, Target, and Walmart, are offering various discounts on school essentials such as electronics, clothing, and supplies. Bargain shopping and comparing prices are key strategies for consumers to stretch their dollars during this time. Additionally, some states are offering tax-free shopping weekends, further incentivizing shoppers to find the best deals.
AAA Central Penn is expanding its annual event to distribute over 1,000 backpacks filled with school supplies to children in need in South Central PA. This year, the event will also include foster children, providing them with supplies such as towels, pajamas, and toiletries. The initiative aims to alleviate the stress of back-to-school shopping, which a survey conducted by online retailer Zulily found to be more stressful for parents than holiday shopping. Backpack distribution will begin in August.