It pays to know your ABC's when back-to-school shopping

  • Published
  • By Army & Air Force Exchange Service Corporate Communications
DALLAS --  How do military Families get their kids back to school without breaking the bank? It's elementary; follow the exchange's A, B, C's for a back-to-school education in real world savings.

A - The Army & Air Force Exchange Service offers a valuable lesson in mathematics with tax-free shopping on clothes, school supplies and even electronics. In fact, while numerous states have begun instituting "tax holidays," military shoppers aren't subject to the restrictions and limited savings opportunities associated with these one-time offerings as tax-free shopping is available year round at BXs and PXs around the world. Furthermore, AAFES facilities in states with "tax holidays," such as Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia, will match local sales tax percentage discounts during these time frames, by category, to offer an additional percentage off, equivalent to the local sales tax rate, to the already low AAFES prices.

For example, an exchange shopper buying clothing, school supplies, books or computer equipment at Maxwell AFB during Alabama's "tax holiday," Aug. 7-9, will see an additional discount of 10 percent, Montgomery, Ala.'s sales tax rate, on all qualifying items.

B - Military shoppers can teach their children well by staying on budget with discounts on this year's "must have" fashions and supplies. These special buys will move to head of the class this week as a 24-page circular, chock full of discounted backpacks, clothes, bicycles and more, arrives at AAFES exchanges.

The lesson in smart shopping continues throughout August as shoes, school supplies and anything else a student may need to get back to school not only will be "tax free," but discounted up to 30 percent.

"AAFES' buying staff has done its homework over the past year and we're ready to pass the savings lessons along to military Families," said AAFES' Chief Marketing Officer Mat Dromey. "Even though we've crammed to deliver the best 'back-to-school' shopping experience possible, we're always prepared to match the lowest local price to ensure authorized shoppers receive the best value for their dollar."

Additional details concerning AAFES' "We'll Match It!" program <http://www.aafes.com/docs/price.htm> , as well as links to upcoming "back-to-school" sales and specials <http://odin.aafes.com/this_week/default.asp> are available at <http://www.aafes.com> .

C - Sure class is a reward in itself, but some extra incentive never hurts. Beyond being a destination for "back-to-school shopping," BXs and PXs even offer an array of free and discounted products to students who excel in the classroom through its "You Made the Grade" program. The current "You Made the Grade" booklet includes valuable coupons and an entry form for a quarterly drawing in which three winners are randomly awarded savings bonds in $2,000, $3,000 or $5,000 denominations.

To receive the booklet, students simply present a valid military ID card and proof of an overall "B" or better average to their local BX/PX. Students may receive one coupon package and enter the savings bond drawing for every qualifying report card. Military Families can contact their local Main Store Manager or General Manager for more information.

While some people may say you can't put a price on education, any authorized exchange shopper will tell you that saving money at the BX or PX is as easy as A, B, C.