Tax Free Weekend

Back-to-school shoppers are spreading out their purchases this year, taking advantage of sales all summer, statistics show.

Early-bird shoppers say they are trying to spread out costs to accommodate their budgets, wanting to catch sales or avoid crowds, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual back-to-school survey .

Consumers are expected to spend $83.6 billion on back-to-school supplies.

Iowa shoppers will get a boost in back-to-school shopping during the state’s annual tax-free holiday this Friday and Saturday.

This is the 17th year shoppers have had a sales-tax reprieve. The state suspends sales taxes on clothing, shoes and some accessories that cost less than $100.