Make the Most of the Tax-Free Weekend

For millions of Americans, this weekend will be a tax-free weekend for items such as clothing and school supplies. Tax-free weekends are designed to help make back-to-school a little more affordable for parents, so if you have the chance, you should definitely take to the streets this weekend.

While they are great for savings, they do tend to be a little hectic. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of this tax-free weekend:

• Do some recon – As things are going to be busy, it's best to plan out your attack. Now, I'm not saying you should get your hands on blueprints of the store and plan an Ocean's 11 style heist, but I am saying that it's worth taking an afternoon to pick out items of clothing and make sure they fit your kids before the tax-free weekend. That way, when you get there on the big day you already know exactly what to get.

• Make a list – As any Boy Scout can tell you, it's best to be prepared. In the heat of shopping battle, it's easy to forget key items, so take a minute before you head out to compile all of your needs into a shopping list. Once at the store, make sure you stick to the list!

• Camp out – I'm not going to lie to you, it's going to be a jungle out there. If you amble in at noon, you might just find the shelves bare. Make sure you arrive early to make sure you don't go home empty-handed.

• Go alone – Shopping is always more complicated with children, so it's best to leave them home during one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year. Your children will never miss that toy they never saw.

• Shop around – The golden rule for chicken farmers also applies to tax-free weekends: Don't put all of your eggs in one (shopping) basket. While it can be really handy to get your pencils and pants at the same store, you may be missing out on big deals by shopping at just one place.

• Check around the house – Chances are there are lots of items on your list lurking in your home already. Have some fun and give out a list to your kids for a scavenger hunt. While they think they're just playing a fun family game, they're also saving you money.

• Don't cheap out – C'mon, we both know that three dollar backpack won't still be in one piece come June. Spend a little more now on important items to keep from having to replace them in a couple of weeks.