Texas Sales Tax Holiday is August 7-9

It’s almost time to be thinking about Back-to-School shopping so that must mean it is time for the Texas Sales Tax Holiday.  For 2015, the dates for tax-free shopping will be August 7-9.

The Sales Tax Holiday includes pretty much anything your child needs to head back to the classroom.  Here’s a brief rundown of what’s included (and what’s not):

Clothing & Footwear – Includes most clothing, hosiery items and shoes priced at $99 or under.  Excluded are special clothing items made exclusively for athletics such as golf cleats, football pads, etc.  Swimsuits and generic athletic clothing, however, are included. Lesser know fact:  Diapers qualify as clothing and are exempt so if you have a little one, it’s a great time to stock up.

Backpacks – Backpacks under $99 are included.  Excluded are luggage, briefcases, framed backpacks, and purses.  Lesser known fact:  Messenger bags are also considered a “school bag” and are tax-free.

School Supplies – Basically anything you need for school priced at $99 or less. Laptops and other electronic devices are excluded as are textbooks.  Lesser know fact:  Lunch boxes are a school supply so you can save the tax on those as well.

Many retailers will also have big sales to attract your business during the Sales Tax Holiday so take advantage of that.  There are usually good end-of-summer clearance deals to be had as well.  And let’s face it – we can wear those summer clearance clothes for months to come here in North Texas. 

And one more lesser known fact for you – Items placed in layaway during the Sales Tax Holiday weekend are eligible for the exemption so if you need to pay out your back-to-school purchases, you can do that and still save the tax.

For the full list of what is exempt and what isn’t, visit the Texas Sales Tax Holiday website.

Happy Shopping!

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Things to do in Arlington: UTA Planetarium

If you’re looking for a way to keep the kids entertained this summer and stay cool at the same time, the Planetarium at the University of Texas at Arlington is just the place.

From Big Bird to Pink Floyd, the UTA Planetarium has something for everyone.  With their 60 foot dome screen and Digistar 4 system with DLP projectors, the Planetarium offers an immersive experience.  Shows are approximately one hour in length and feature 30 minutes of stargazing followed by a 30 minute pre-recorded video.

Their current schedule is as follows:

Sunday
01:30 pm    Secret of the Cardboard Rocket
03:00 pm    Spacepark 360: Infinity

Tuesday
02:00 pm    Texas Stargazing
03:30 pm    Spacepark 360: Infinity

Wednesday
02:00 pm    Dynamic Earth
03:30 pm    Spacepark 360: Infinity

Thursday
02:00 pm    One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure
03:30 pm    Spacepark 360: Infinity

Friday
02:00 pm    Stars of the Pharaohs
03:30 pm    Spacepark 360: Infinity

Saturday
01:00 pm    One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure
02:30 pm    Cosmic Colors
05:30 pm    Stars of the Pharaohs
07:00 pm    Pink Floyd

The Planetarium is located in the heart of the UTA campus at 700 Planetarium Place. Free parking is available at the Short Term Retail Parking lot in front of the College Park District. Visitors may park in this lot for up to 2 hours and walk 2 blocks to the Planetarium. Lot S47, on the corner of West St. and W 4th St. , is available for free parking on Saturdays and Sundays only.  Parking is also available in the Maverick Parking Garage at the rate of $2.50 per hour (maximum charge $9.25).

Admission is $6.00 for Adults, $4.00 for Children, Students and Seniors and $3.00 for UTA students.  Children 3 and under are free.

Photo via UTA Planetarium

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10 Ways to Fall Proof Your Home

According to the CDC, falls are the leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries among older adults. About 1 in 3 seniors falls each year.  Many of these falls could be prevented by doing a few simple things to make our homes more “fall proof.”  Here are a few things you can do:

1.  Remove or secure anything that could cause you to trip.  Avoid leaving clutter on the floors or stairs.  Ensure that electrical and phone cords aren’t stretched across walkways or that they are secured in some way. 

2.  Install handrails and lights on all staircases.  Place non-slip strips on stairs.   

3.  Make sure that carpets are secured to the floor.  Choose rugs with non-slip backing or use double-sided tape to help keep them from slipping.

4.  Place everyday items in an easily accessible place so you don’t need to climb on a step stool or chair to access them.

5.  Make your bathroom fall resistant.  Use non-slip mats inside the bathtub or shower.  Use rugs with non-slip backing in your bathroom. Consider installing handrails in your tub or shower.

6.  Make sure your home is well-lit. Often, we need brighter light to see well as we get older.

7.  Wear shoes both inside and outside the house.  Avoid walking around in socks or going barefoot.

8.  Make sure any wet spills are cleaned up promptly.  Don’t walk on freshly mopped areas.

9.  Avoid going out in ice or snow.  See if a neighbor, friend or family member can help with shoveling walks or putting salt down on icy surfaces for you.

10.  Keep a flashlight near your bedside in case the power goes out and you need to get up.

While these tips will help you avoid falls, it is also important to stay healthy and work on your balance. Balance exercise as well as regular visits to your doctor are vital to keeping you on your feet as you age. 

For more great tips for seniors, visit our website.

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Volunteer Ideas for Seniors and Retirees

After retirement, many seniors don’t know what to do with their time.  Some become sedentary without a daily job to go to which can affect health and mobility. Many begin to feel lonely or isolated. Some become depressed.

A great way to prevent issues such as these is to volunteer.  Seniors have a wealth of knowledge and a great deal of valuable experience to share.  Volunteering can be rewarding for all parties and it is a great way to get out of the house and make new friends.

Here are a few places to locate volunteer opportunities:

AARP Volunteer Resource Center – let them know what your interests are and they will match you up with organizations where you can make a difference.

Texas Senior Corps - the leading senior volunteer service partnership for solving community problems, strengthening communities, and building the capacity of nonprofit organizations in Texas.  From their website, you can find links to some of the major volunteer programs in Texas.  These include:

• RSVP – a service that matches volunteers with opportunities that match their experience and interests.
• Foster Grandparents – volunteers give their time to schools, Head Start centers, hospitals, drug treatment centers, correctional institutions, and day care centers. They offer emotional support to children who have been abused and neglected, mentor troubled teenagers and young mothers, and care for premature infants and children with physical disabilities or severe illnesses.
• Senior Companions – healthy volunteers 55 and older are matched with other senior adults who need companionship and assistance with errands, medical appointments or personal care. 

Other places to check for volunteer needs:

• Your local public library – What better place for a bibliophile to donate time than the library?  Volunteers help shelve books, make book repairs, or greet patrons.
• Human Society or municipal animal shelters – If you’re an animal lover, contact your local shelter to see how you can help. Programs that cater specifically to senior adults, such as Arlington’s Golden PAWS, may be available.
• School districts – Retired educators, or anyone who loves to work with kids, should investigate this as an opportunity - especially for schools in economically disadvantaged areas where parent involvement may be low.  Tutoring, mentoring, reading to kids, and attending school events are great ways to be involved.
• Tax preparation assistance –  Are you a retired accountant or just great with numbers?  The IRS offers free tax assistance through its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Programs.
• Charities or non-profit organizations – Check with your local chapters of the American Red Cross, American Cancer Society or charity of your choice.  Volunteers are always welcome in these organizations.

There are countless other opportunities out there – churches, community gardens, hospitals, community centers, etc.  Just figure out what you love to do and what skills you have that could help others and there will be an opportunity to help somewhere.

For more senior news and tips, visit our website.

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