It’s not cheap to get a child ready for school: new clothes, new shoes, notebook and binder are needed. Pens, paper, highlighters and calculators are on the list. For older students, computers and home printers are a much-needed aide for homework and school assignments.

So what are parents to do?

Shop this weekend during the state’s seventh annual Back to School tax free weekend.

The annual tax free weekend begins at 12:01 a.m. Friday, continuing through midnight Sunday.

During that span of time, purchases that aid students in returning to school are exempt from municipal, county and state sales tax.

That means clothing (items under $100); school supplies; computers and supplies; bookbags and notebooks; and more are all tax-free.

And for parents who have children to prepare for school, or families who have multiple children to ready for classes, this is an ideal time to take advantage of the savings and stock up on what’s needed.

This the seventh year the state of Alabama has sponsored the tax-free shopping weekend. Because of that, local stores are ready and prepared.

Shelves are bulging with supplies and fresh, new clothes. Shoes are polished and ready to be bought for growing young feet. Computers, technology and more are ready and waiting for shoppers.

So head to the stores this weekend and get shopping. The first day of school is just around the corner.