ABQ Journal Article about Tax Free Weekend

Alaina Mencinger, ABQ Journal Staff Writer, wrote an article about the impact of inflation on teachers and parents as well as the potential for savings from Tax Free Weekend. She interviewed Computer Corner owner, Brian Fletcher, for the article.

Here are some excerpts:

"In August 2020, a 12 pack of Ticonderoga No. 2 pencils cost $2.39 at Target.

The next year, $2.49.

This year? The same 12-pack costs $2.99.

It might seem like a matter of cents, but it’s a price increase of about 25% over the past two years.

Inflation is at the highest it’s been in 40 years. And back-to-school shopping is already pricey – last year U.S. parents spent over $600 on average on school supplies, a Deloitte study found."

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"Brian Fletcher, owner of Computer Corner near Menaul and Carlisle, says that the “tax-free holiday is always a big deal” – both for his store and his customers. On an average month, Fletcher says, the store sells 25 laptops. But in August, that number doubles.

Fletcher has four school-age children of his own, and says he probably spends about $500 or more every year on school supplies.

On smaller school supplies, Fletcher said, the tax-holiday savings can be minimal. But on a more expensive item like a laptop, customers can save more; according to Fletcher, that means people can buy accessories they normally wouldn’t be able to budget for.

“When you buy some pencils and some paper, it’s nice that it’s tax-free, but you’re usually talking pennies of savings,” Fletcher said. “You buy a laptop and a printer and a monitor, and if you get anywhere near that $1,000 cutoff, you can save almost $100.”

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