Most schools in the area start back in a little more than two weeks.

For parents, it's time to open the wallet for another round of school supplies.

"She's starting first grade this year," said Sharon Bussey describing her daughter's excitement.

But Bussey says gas prices have already forced her to make sacrifices with her kids this summer.

"Definitely," she said. "We haven't gone out of town as much because of that."

So it's no surprise she and many other parents have less to spend during the year's number two biggest shopping season.

Retailers are increasing the bargains, even holding events to draw crowds in, but Bussey says she's going to wait.

"We started getting a few things," she said. "But we'll probably wait for the tax-free weekend."

Even with the tax savings she says her daughter probably won't get everything she wants.

"Mainly the mandatory things for school that's what we'll make sure they have," she said.

Georgia's tax-free holiday kicks off at midnight July 31; South Carolina's starts Augusta 1. Both end Sunday, August 3.