Tax-Free Shopping by State:

• Alabama – 7/17/26 – 7/19/26 – Clothes, computers, textbooks, school supplies, school art, and school instructional material
• Alaska – No state sales tax – Some locations may waive local sales tax
• Arizona – None scheduled
• Arkansas – 8/1/26 – 8/2/26 – Clothing, electronics, school supplies, school art, and school instructional material
• California – None scheduled
• Colorado – None scheduled
• Connecticut – 8/16/26 – 8/22/26 – Clothing
• Delaware – No state sales tax
• Florida – 8/1/26 – 8/31/26 – Personal computers and accessories, wallets, backpacks, school supplies, learning aids, and clothing
• Georgia – None scheduled
• Hawaii – None scheduled
• Idaho – None scheduled
• Illinois – None scheduled
• Indiana – None scheduled
• Iowa – 8/7/26 – 8/8/26 – Clothing and footwear.
• Kansas – None scheduled
• Kentucky – None scheduled
• Louisiana – None scheduled
• Maine – None scheduled
• Maryland – 08/09/26 – 8/15/26 – Clothing, footwear, and backpacks.
• Massachusetts – 8/15/26 – 8/16/26
• Michigan – None scheduled
• Minnesota – Proposed but not enacted – 7/1/26 – 7/31/26
• Mississippi – 7/10/26 – 7/12/2026 – Clothing, footwear, and school supplies
• Missouri – 8/7/26 – 8/9/26 – Clothing, computers, and school supplies
• Montana – No state sales tax
• Nebraska – None scheduled
• Nevada – None scheduled
• New Hampshire – No state sales tax
• New Jersey – None scheduled
• New Mexico – 7/25/26 – 7/27/26 – Clothing, shoes, computers & software, school supplies
• New York – None scheduled
• North Carolina – None scheduled
• North Dakota – None scheduled
• Ohio – 8/7/26 – 8/9/26 – Clothing, school supplies, school instructional materials
• Oklahoma – 8/7/26 – 8/9/26 – Clothing items
• Oregon – No sales tax
• Pennsylvania – None scheduled
• Rhode Island – None scheduled
• South Carolina – 8/7/26 – 8/9/26 – Clothing, accessories, shoes, school supplies, backpacks, and computers
• South Dakota – None scheduled
• Tennessee – 7/31/26 – 8/2/26
• Texas – 8/7/26 – 8/9/26 – Clothing, footwear, school supplies, and backpacks
• Vermont – None scheduled
• Virginia – 8/7/26 – 8/9/26 – (Virginia Department of Taxation website not updated as of 6/15/26)
• Washington – None scheduled
• Washington D.C. – None scheduled
• West Virginia – None scheduled
• Wisconsin – None scheduled
• Wyoming – None scheduled

Prefer to shop on base? Military families can prepare for the back-to-school shopping season with double the savings on back-to-school essentials at Exchange Stores during their state’s sales tax holiday.

Find Out More with My Military Savings and Finance!

There are many things you can do as a parent to prepare your teen for “The Real World”. Now, this takes patience, especially since kids think they have all the answers. Try to focus on ensuring your child can apply basic life skills, time and financial management, problem solving, and self care. 

Here are some helpful tips:

• Basic Life Skills: Driving, cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, using basic tools, and looking for a job.
• Time Management: Prioritizing tasks, studying, completing assignments on time, and using a planner.
• Financial Management: Managing a checking account/debit card, building savings/emergency fund, and budgeting.
• Problem Solving: Identifying the problem, using critical thinking skills, and developing solutions.
• Self-Care: Take breaks when stressed, disconnect from social media, take care of your physical health, and choose your friend groups wisely.

If your child will remain at home while attending college, you’ll have more time to focus on development. However, those who are getting your child ready to leave the nest will have limited time to prep before dropping them off on campus. I highly recommend starting to purchase the dorm essentials early as the costs can add up quickly. Below is a basic list of things your child could need for the dormitory.

Dorm Essentials:

• Personal/Health Items: Toiletries, towels, pillows and blankets, shower tote, shower shoes, and medications/prescriptions.
• Laundry Supplies: Detergent, fabric softener, laundry basket, and hangers.
• Room Essentials: Food storage containers, bedding, plates, utensils, alarm clock, and wall hooks. 
• Supplies: Calendar, laptop, pens/pencils, highlighters, paper, backpack, folders, and binders.
• Appliances: Coffee maker, small fan/heater, TV, and lamp.

It’s crazy how fast eighteen years seem to fly by, but early preparation will ease some stress for you as a parent and your future student. Be sure to maximize your savings by stocking up on essentials at your local Exchange and Commissary. Enjoy your time together before they head off to college and make as many great memories as you can.

Explore more with My Military Savings and Military Life & Family!

With my family also heavily involved in Scouting, we keep first aid kits everywhere! Adventures with kids can lead to some little accidents along the way! When you build out your kits, you can make smaller pouches to include in backpacks, purses, and any other location at home or at work. Never be unprepared for anything that might get thrown at you!

If you have not created a first aid kit before, here are a few items you will want to include:

• Non-Stick Pads
• Rolled Gauze
• Waterproof Tape
• Band-aids
• Ace Bandage
• Sam Splint
• Triple Antibiotic Ointment
• Antiseptic Wash
• Acetaminophen
• Ibuprofen
• Antacids
• Hand Sanitizer
• Gloves
• CPR Mask
• Mini Scissors

There may be other items you want to add as your needs dictate, but this will help you get started! Check out our Amazon Storefront to grab all of your First Aid Kit needs!

Pro Tip: Grab some “fun” band-aids! Sometimes something as simple as that can help calm a situation…even when a band-aid may not actually be needed!

Find Out More with My Military Savings and Health & Beauty!

Either way, you’re still showing up with a gift in hand and probably a little glitter on your uniform. So, if you’re staring at your exchange name thinking, “What do I even get for this person?” I’ve got you covered.

Caffeine is the Love Language

Across the Guard, we’ve all got our caffeines of choice. Your MPs are rolling in with Monsters, Ghosts, and probably a Zyn pack or two. Meanwhile, your PAO are sipping Starbucks or Dutch Bros like it’s a lifestyle.

You can’t go wrong with a fun mug, a pack of someone’s go-to energy drink, or even a little “drill fuel” basket. Check your local Exchange for Starbucks gift sets or energy drink bundles, or browse the Commissary’s holiday deals for some festive finds.

Because whether it’s caffeine, chaos, or both, it’s basically how we function.

Tactical Stocking Stuffers

We all know that one person who’s always losing their flashlight. Nothing says “I care about you, battle” quite like a multitool, a Gerber, or another knife. Because can you really ever have too many?

You can find great stocking stuffers in the Exchange Sports & Outdoors section, or grab quick-shipping tactical gear on Amazon. Throw in some 550 cord or a mini first aid kit, and boom. Practical, thoughtful, and guaranteed to get used.

Cozy Barracks (or Office) Vibes

Tell me you’re in the Guard without telling me you’re in the Guard. It’s winter drill, the barracks thermometer is stuck at 65, and you’re layered up like you’re going to the field. Let Santa help your battles out this year with something cozy like a twin-sized fleece blanket or those fuzzy socks that feel like a warm hug.

Or better yet, an extra-long phone charger! Amazon has great charging cord bundles that save the day when everyone’s fighting over one outlet during AT season.

Snack Attack Pack

If you’re getting food, you’re bold. Super bold. But honestly, it’s a power move. Some of the biggest hits I’ve seen across the guard have been the fancy tropical gummy bears, jerky and cheese combos, chips, and gum. All the gum.

You can load up on drill-day favorites and grab those boujee candies and jerky packs from the Exchange’s Food & Gift section.

Oh, and if your unit allows it, and you don’t have anyone under 21, a little bottle of something festive never hurts. Just sayin’.

Bonus Idea: The Big Dill Gift

The biggest hit of our unit’s party last year was the Big Dill gift. I’m talking pickle socks, pickle chips, a pickle ornament, full commitment. It started as a joke and somehow turned into the most traded gift of the day.

You can find pickle-themed gifts and ornaments galore on Amazon or even grab some snackable bites.

Every unit’s got its own vibe. Ours does a $20 limit, but honestly, it’s never about the price tag. It’s about the creativity, the inside jokes, and the memories that make it all worth it.

Wrapping it Up (Literally)

Whether you go funny, cozy, or caffeine-fueled, the best Secret Santa gifts are the ones that make your battle laugh, feel seen, and maybe even say, “Dang, that’s actually useful.”

So, grab your wrapping paper, cue up your favorite holiday playlist, and sleigh this year’s unit party because if anyone can bring the holiday spirit in between drills, it’s the Guard.

Find Out More with My Military Savings and Holidays & More!

Over the years, the DoD has added more veterans to be able to utilize different programs/stores that are only on military installations. Back in 2020, more than 3+ million veterans were made eligible to shop at the Commissary and Exchanges and even able to utilize some of the Morale, Welfare, and Recreations (MWR) activities! This list included former prisoners of war, Purple Heart recipients, and service-connected disabled veterans and their primary caregivers. This was all part of the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act.

In November of 2024, the DoD announced that they will be working to improve the installation access for those disabled veterans who don’t yet have a Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC). Those members will need to go to the installation’s visitor center with their REAL ID Act-compliant driver’s license or non-driver’s ID card to gain access to the installation.

Additionally, these members and their caregivers will still need their VA-issued letters (service-connected disability letter and/or caregiver patronage letter) OR their VA Health Eligibility Center Form H623A to show their eligibility to the Commissary, Exchange, or allowed MWR services since verification from ID scan isn’t available to verify their eligibility.

These veterans will be able to shop on base and even utilize the Click2Go program at the Commissary! This is wonderful news for our veterans! If you don’t yet have a Commissary Rewards Card, then make sure to get one so you can set up your account to save even more!

Find Out More with MyMilitarySavings.com!

Coupons are a great way to save money. However, many of us choose not to use them, for many different reasons. But we want to know – How Often Do You Use Coupons?

Did you know that we have coupons on our site? We love sharing savings with you each month! From recipes, to coupons and deals at your Exchange and Commissary, we want to help you save your valuable funds!

Visit MyMilitarySavings.com and view the savings that we have available for you this month! Did you know our website was developed with you in mind, and we want to continue to bring you the very best that we can!

Find Out More with MyMilitarySavings.com and Coupons!

Now, RITZ has upped their game this summer and brought to our table something delightfully crispy and cheesy…the new RITZ Cheese Crispers! 

Now my kids will eat these with their lunches or even as a mid-day snack and my husband has these computer side as he is gaming the night away on weekends. I even have a box of my own stashed away for when I binge watch my favorite shows after the kids have gone to bed!

RITZ Cheese Crispers are made with real, rich cheese that you can see and taste in every delectable bite. They are available now at your local commissary in two flavors, Cheddar and Four Cheese & Herb.

So take my advice and up your snacking game this summer with the new RITZ Cheese Crispers. Head down to your local commissary and grab a box or two (or four) for your family today. I promise you won’t be disappointed!

And if you don’t believe me, check out what Kate has to say about these delicious little snacks!

Why do we ask these questions? Well – we ask different questions for a number of reasons. By gauging the responses that we get, it helps to determine what would be popular items to share with you. From beverages, snacks, coupons, and more – each of these questions helps us to determine what you want to see, and what you are interested in. Help us share more relevant items with you, by answering our survey questions today. 

Stop by the MMS website today, and check out our current surveys! We WANT to hear from you! Visit our Community tab to participate!

When it comes to smoking, there is nothing better than the relaxation you get from a cigarette (or five) after a long day at work. But, we know that the long term effects of smoking are extremely hard on the body, as well as the skin. The sooner that you are able to walk away from the habit, the better off you are going to be. Believe me, your lungs will thank you! But quitting is not easy. Giving up the habit of smoking is one of the hardest habits to break.

This is where Nicorette comes in! The lozenges and gum can be used when those cravings hit! By pairing the products from Nicorette, along with an accountability partner, the chances of quitting increase quite a bit. Having someone helping you quit, or a friend who is quitting at the same time is a needed piece of the puzzle.

As you prepare to quit, there are a few things that you should consider:

1. Set a quit date
2. Stop buying cigarettes a few days before you quit, so that you are not tempted to “just smoke the last of them”
3. Have your accountability partner on board
4. Set goals and rewards for yourself as you progress
5. Consider setting aside and saving the money that you would have spent on cigarettes for something fun
6. Expect a bad day or two – but don’t beat yourself up
7. Be confident in yourself!

That last one is the most important. If you honestly are ready to stop smoking, it will be much easier with a firm mindset moving forward.

Nicorette has some incredible savings that you are going to want to take advantage of! Through January 31, 2020, you can get the Nicorette gum and lozenges for a great price! Stock up now while the price is right! Quitting never tasted so good!

Don’t forget to check out the MMS GSK page for more great savings and tips.