The back-to-school sales tax holiday is underway through Sunday night, but don’t forget to pair it with other retail deals going on right now.“If all you’ve got is the tax-free weekend, then no, it’s not worth it,” said Benjamin Glaser, editor of DealNews, an online deal aggregate service. “But if you can combine the tax holiday with a 20-30 percent back-to-school sale, it’s worth the risk of possibly finding better deals later and braving the crowds now.”The Texas holiday exempts most clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks priced less than $100 from sales tax, saving shoppers around $8 on every $100 they spend during the weekend, according to the Texas Comptroller.Now in its 17th year, the holiday is expected to save shoppers an estimated $92 million in state and local sales taxes. The list of apparel and school supplies that can be purchased tax-free can be found on the comptroller’s website. We fully expect retailers to be aggressive with offering great deals both in stores and online for back-to-school shoppers.

Matthew Shay, CEO, National Retail Federation Although Texas is just one of 17 states that offers a sales tax holiday for school supplies, clothing and other items, most national retailers are stepping up to discount popular school items, some with specific deals only for the tax holiday states.“All but five states are having it this weekend for the first time,” Glaser said. “In the past, the tax-free holidays have been much more scattered on dates around the country.”That concentration has been noticed by big box retailers. “Tax holidays are highly competitive for retailers, especially this year with 12 states hosting a sales tax holiday this weekend alone,” said Sarah Holland, spokeswoman for JC Penney. “JC Penney has a high concentration of stores in these states, specifically in Texas and Florida, and we have planned this weekend to be highly promotional and competitive.”Among JC Penney’s promotions are doorbuster deals, instant savings coupons of $10-$25 off $50 purchases, extended store hours and discounted denim jeans for kids and teens, Holland said.“

Families who shop on a tax holiday weekend are typically very price conscious, which is why we have created compelling incentives to make JC Penney a primary destination during this important back-to-school shopping weekend,” she said.Another reason retailers are discounting this weekend is because back-to-school shopping is the second-biggest buying season in the country after the Christmas holidays, according to the National Retail Federation.Families are feeling more flush this year and expect to dole out more for back-to-school items, according to a survey by the NRF. zara pique hoodieTotal spending for grades K-12 and college is expected to reach $75.8 billion, up from last year’s $68 billion.hoodies paytmThat breaks down to an average of $673 on apparel, accessories, electronics, shoes and school supplies for families with children in K-12 grades, an increase of almost 10 percent over last year.under armour storm hoodie sports authority

Families with college-aged students will be spending more — an average of $889, about the same as last year, according to the NRF survey. Items for college kids also include household furnishings like mini-fridges, college-branded gear, food and personal care supplies.sablon hoodie satuan jakartaTotal spending of these families is expected to increase to $43 billion this year in part because of an increase in shoppers.“sophnet hoodieFamilies are still looking for bargains, but there are signs that they are less worried about the economy than in the past,” said Matthew Shay, NRF president and CEO. maastricht hoodies“We fully expect retailers to be aggressive with offering great deals both in stores and online for back-to-school shoppers.”A comparative study in July of school supplies and back-to-school clothes by DealNews found Target and Walmart in a virtual tie with average spending around $95 for the same basket of goods.

So before you step out the door, look for deals. Most can be found at the retailer websites as well.Tax-free weekend sales Old Navy: 60 percent off selected kids clothing, including uniform-style polos for $5, shorts and skirts for $9, shorts for $8 and pants for $10. T-shirts start at $3.95, jeans at $10, hoodies at $12. JC Penney: 40-50 percent off kids apparel; 50 percent off select IZOD school uniforms; 20 percent off select Nike shoes, $13 Arizona jeans for kids, $17 for teens (Saturday only); $10 kids haircuts through August and kids eyeglasses for $40 through mid-September. Wal-Mart: 300 school supplies for less than $1, more than 1,000 supplies for less than $3; TI-84-plus calculator for $88; Samsung Chrome book $189; New this year to avoid the crowds, order up to 200 back-to-school items online and pick up already bundled together at store. Target: Partnering for the second year with School List Assist, Target has nearly 1 million school supply lists on its website, including many from local area schools at its School List Assist page.

Deals include buy one/get one 60 percent off on school uniforms; polos $7, pants $15, backpacks starting at $11.19. Amazon: Also offers school-specific supply lists. Current sale is 15 percent off Amazon Warehouse Deals, including school supplies, printers, computers and more. Discount applies at checkout. Office Depot/Office Max: Elmer’s Glue, one-subject composition notebook, filler paper for one cent (limit three per item with minimum $5 purchase.) Sunday, filler paper for one cent. Bic ballpoint pens, poly cover notebooks for 25 cents.See You @ The Lu! The Little Taco Shack That CouldTacoLu opened in 2008 in a little building on Beach Boulevard. From the beginning, many people--including Debbie and me (but mostly Debbie)--were dubious about the timing and future of our little taco stand. Aside from the fact that no one could pronounce the name, the American economy was tanking, and most people thought it was “just plain silly to open a business in these conditions,” we still thought it was a worth a shot.

It was either open our own place or go to work for someone else, I thought, and so we were off!It took a while, but the Lu eventually gained a life of its own (and quite an extensive Tequila list in the process)! After 5 years in the original location, with an unbelievable amount of patronage and support, we grew into our current building, the site of the old Homestead Restaurant, which has SO MUCH history and excitement attached to it!We take our hats off to those who came before us, as we carry on the tradition of great food and tons of fun at the old Homestead! We hope you'll stop by and join us soon!Don and Debbie NicolPhone(904) 249-TACO [8226]LocationThe Old Homestead1712 Beach Blvd.Jacksonville Beach, FL32250HoursM ClosedT–Th 11a–10pF 11a-11p            SaSuHappy Hour Brunch!Saturday and Sunday10 AM-2 PM for more information and getting the the Lu or the Bangin' Bus to be at your next event This is the Blue Agave Spirit in its purest form. It is clear and typically un-aged, where the true flavors and the intensity of the Agave are present, as well as the natural sweetness.

This is the ‘essence’ of the Tequilero’s art and, therefore, the benchmark for which his tequila is appreciated. There are some Blancos that are aged for up to 2 months to provide a smoother spirit. A Reposado Tequila is the first stage of "rested and aged." The Tequila is aged in wood barrels or storage tanks between 2 months and 11 months. The spirit takes on a golden hue and the taste becomes a good balance between the Agave and wood flavors. Many different types of wood barrels are used for aging, with the most common being American or French oak. Some Tequilas are aged in used bourbon / whiskey, cognac, or wine barrels, and will inherit unique flavors from the previous spirit. After aging for at least one year, Tequila can then be classified as an "Añejo." The distillers are required to age Añejo Tequila in barrels. This aging process darkens the Tequila to an amber color, and the flavor can become smoother, richer, and more complex. Each of these Tequilas has been aged for at least three years.

What happens to the tequila in the barrels has been called magical--really taking the “juice” to a whole new level. If you are a bourbon or whiskey drinker, these are the Tequilas for you! These Tequilas don’t quite fit in any other category. Each is interesting in its own right, so take a look, and ask your server to help you choose one! Just the tiny taco shack that could! Memories from our first location just up the street! making of the new lu!Here are all the in-process shots as we converted the Old Homestead into our newer, bigger location. The New DigsCheck out photos from our new location at the Old Homestead Restaurant.tacos for tatas Brushed bold eventPhotos from our Tacos for Tata's Brushed Bold event held on October 6, 2014 to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness. Killer video of the mural watch this Time Lapse of this of Jessica Becker painting the mural at the Old Homestead! It's 6 weeks of work boiled down to 2 minutes! MURRAY BROS CADDYSHACK GOLFEach Spring, the Murray Bros throw a party in St Augustine.