Back-to-school shopping is in full swing in Georgia. The state's Back-to-School Tax-Free Holiday was July 30-31, but more than half of respondents to a 2016 Mid-Year Consumer Survey by Georgia Credit Union Affiliates said they won't likely participate in the tax-free event.  
 
According to the survey, 57 percent of respondents don't schedule their shopping based on the tax-free holiday. In fact, 59 percent said they tend to buy school supplies as needed rather than waiting on the tax-free holiday or other sales. Thirty-eight percent of respondents said they stock up on supplies year-round whenever they find good deals.
 
Forty-three percent of Georgia respondents said they won't spend more than $100 on back-to-school purchases this year, 21 percent said they will spend between $100 to $200, 15 percent said they will spend from $200 to $500, and six percent of respondents said they will spend more than $500.
 
Nationally, when asked what payment method families shopping for back-to-school items used most often last year, 44.6 percent said a debit card, while 28 percent said credit card and 26 percent planned to pay with cash, according to the National Retail Federation.
 
U.S. parents plan to spend an average of $273 on their children's return to school this fall. That's $27 more than parents anticipated spending last year, according to RetailMeNot, Inc. Many parents will purchase new technology for their children this school year. Twenty-six percent said they plan to buy their child a tablet, while 21 percent expect to purchase a laptop.
 
According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, at least thirty states in the U.S. provided less funding for K-12 students during the 2014-2015 school year than they did before the recession hit. The average amount teachers received from their school to spend on classrooms was $300. Teachers spent an average of $490 of their own money.
 
Insider's Perspective:

Savannah Schools Federal Credit Union President and CEO Trish Payne said it's not only the parents who are scrambling to purchase back-to-school supplies this time of year.
 
"June and July are our busiest times since most schools start back in August," Payne said. "We see a lot of teachers coming through who are on their way out to buy supplies before the start of school."
 
Payne said many of those teachers are participants in the credit union's Vacation Club, which is a type of savings account that allows consumers to set aside money year-round, specifically for the summer.
 
"That pays out on June 1 and while many of our members use the money for a vacation, we also see a lot of people who are putting the money towards school supplies," said Payne. "It's a good way to save for this time of the year. We also offer a small, no-credit check loan that has a 6-month term, which is very popular. They can get up to $1,000 with that."
 
Even though most Georgia consumers don't plan their shopping around the tax-free holiday, Payne suggests it's beneficial to shop those days for big-ticket items like computers and tablets. Something to keep in mind for the next Back-to-School Tax-Free Holiday. Those dates will be announced at a later time.
 
"Consumers should also be saving during the year for back-to-school shopping," Payne said. "It helps if it's added to the budget so it doesn't take them by surprise when the time comes. Credit unions can help make the experience easier with special savings accounts and small loans if the money's just not there."
 
Tips to save on back-to-school shopping:

Check social media - Use Twitter and Facebook to Save. Many companies send their loyal followers coupon links and advance notice of sales. If you plan to bargain-hunt this year, monitor your favorite stores' Twitter and Facebook updates to find deals.

Sign up for mobile alerts- Retailers such as Target have "Text to Get" promotions. The stores will send sales alerts and coupons directly to your mobile device. If you're only interested in back-to-school sales, make sure to check the store's policy on opting out afterwards.

Save - Consider joining a savings club at a credit union or opening a savings account specifically for summer expenses such as school supplies. Learn more about what offerings credit unions in your region have at  http://www.asmarterchoice.org/.

Get Online - Online sites like Ebates, ShopAtHome, and FatWallet act like a shopping gateway. The websites allow you to shop major stores and brands while giving you 6 percent or more cash back on your purchases.