When u have a spending limit, do u take the "tax" into account

[lisaross]

just wondering - i want to limit my spending for my kids to 250.00 each for hanukkah - usually i only spend about 150 each - but they are getting older.

Anyway - got my younger son an ipod touch 199 (with tax about 220) and my older son a tv also 199 (with tax about 220)

so would u look at it like u spend 199 each so far or the 220?

 

[cluvsdisney]

I never really thought about it but now that I am....No, I don't include the tax in the budget.

 

[pigletto]

I do include tax. Taxes here are highish (13 percent). That 500 dollars becomes quite a bit less if I don't factor it in when budgeting.

 

[burnurcomputer]

No, I do not include tax in the budget.

 

[ancestry]

I include the full purchase price, exactly what I paid -- if that means tax then yes that is included.

 

[ilovemk76]

220

 

[disney4us2002]

For me it depends. If we set a price limit for a holiday exchange, say at work, and the limit chosen is $20 then I don't include tax or the cost of a gift bag or wrapping paper. If I set a limit of an amount because that is what I can afford to pay or what's in my checking account (higher priced items) then I consider the total price.

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

No, I don't include tax.

 

[sk!mom]

It's your limit, does tax count or not?


I've never set a limit. I decide what I want to get them and then look for the best deals.

 

[angierae]

For me it depends. If we set a price limit for a holiday exchange, say at work, and the limit chosen is $20 then I don't include tax or the cost of a gift bag or wrapping paper. If I set a limit of an amount because that is what I can afford to pay or what's in my checking account (higher priced items) then I consider the total price.

This is pretty much how I look at it. If -my- budget is $300, then I _spend_ $300, tax or not.

At work, our exchange is a $35 gift. I don't include tax in that.

 

[Marionnette]

I shop online. Or in Delaware. No sales tax!

But if I was paying sales tax (6% in PA, 7% in Philadelphia and Allegheny counties) and I was purchasing a gift for a Pollyanna with a set spending limit, I would still consider just the shelf price of the item. Let's face it, you could also take wrapping paper, ribbons, tags and a card into consideration when you're costing out a gift.

 

[It'sOffToDisneyWeGo]

I usually just take into account the price of the gift without tax.

 

[QVCshopper]

Yes, I try to track tax. For example, I got Ugg slippers online for half off from QVC's Ffany shoes on sale. When I write up my list, it's the price I paid for slippers, shipping, and tax, not the half off price... Still cheaper than anywhere else though.

 

[pigletto]

I want to amend my earlier answer. I realized as others are mentioning, I don't really think about tax on a 20 dollar item. But when it gets up there, like in the 500 dollar range you are mentioning I have to keep it in mind, because 13 % tax really changes the budget if I don't.

 

[mindyd]

I do not count tax towards my budget.

 

[dzorn]

just wondering - i want to limit my spending for my kids to 250.00 each for hanukkah - usually i only spend about 150 each - but they are getting older.

Anyway - got my younger son an ipod touch 199 (with tax about 220) and my older son a tv also 199 (with tax about 220)

so would u look at it like u spend 199 each so far or the 220?

I include tax after all you have to pay it.

Denise in MI

 

[scrapquitler]

I usually just take into account the price of the gift without tax.

Me too.

If I'm in a gift exchange and it's "$25 limit" I buy a $25 gift, I won't limit myself to a $23 gift.

But to me, my budget is flexible. Not everyone has that luxury.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

No, I don't include tax here. Heck, I don't even stick to my budget.

 

[bettymae1121]

For me it depends. If we set a price limit for a holiday exchange, say at work, and the limit chosen is $20 then I don't include tax or the cost of a gift bag or wrapping paper. If I set a limit of an amount because that is what I can afford to pay or what's in my checking account (higher priced items) then I consider the total price.

Ditto. Low dollar limits I usually won't factor in tax (or wrap/card/postage etc.) but for high $ items then I'll usually include tax. Sales tax here is around 7% so it adds up.

 

[timmac]

A $20 yankee swap gift for work, or the like, I'll just do purchase price without regard to tax.

When I'm thinking larger budgets (e.g. for my kids) then I include tax and/or shipping. For instance, if I have a $200 budget per person, then those amounts become material.