Tax-Free Weekend Draws Crowds In New Mexico

Cost-conscious shoppers are hitting the stores in New Mexico this weekend, hoping to cash in on the tax-free holiday.

“Today’s been a little crazy,” said Crystal Marquez said Saturday. Marquez was at the Mesilla Valley Mall with family members. She encouraged shoppers to take advantage of the deals this weekend. “If they want to save, now would be the time.”

The state’s annual tax-free holiday weekend ends Sunday at midnight. It gives people a chance to stretch their dollars by waiving taxes on most supplies and clothes under 100 dollars.

“We probably saved about 50 dollars today,” said Travis and Desiree Herval.

Some families said the holiday couldn’t have come at a better time.

“I’m a stay-home mom, we live on one income and this is my son’s first year in kindergarten,” said Ivette Stanford, who was shopping with her son in tow.

Other shoppers like Susan Foster were also hunting for back-to-school bargains.

“Yeah, this tax-free weekend is really coming in handy … trying to save a little money on back to school,” she said.

When asked what they were going to do with the cash they saved this weekend, the Herval family’s response was a sign of the times.

“Just try to stash it. It’s all about saving now,” they said.