The first full weekend of August is shopper’s paradise in Virginia. Each year, residents and visitors of the Commonwealth of Virginia enjoy a sales tax holiday on school supplies and clothing. This year’s tax-free holiday will take place August 7 – 9, 2009 (Friday, Saturday and Sunday).

So what’s tax exempt? Sorry, computers don’t qualify but certain school supplies selling for $20 or less do. This is the weekend to stock up the closet on shoes for the fall fashion season because clothing and footwear selling for $100 or less per item are tax exempt. Read up on the sales tax exemption guidelines from Virginia’s Department of Taxation.

When vacationing in Virginia Beach, hit the Hilltop Area for shopping centers with familiar names ranging from K-Mart to Talbot’s, the Lynnhaven Mall to browse some of the 180 shops including three department stores, the Towne Center and Pembroke Mall for premier shopping and dining, and the Virginia Beach Resort Area between 2nd Street and 40th Street for the perfect vacation memento.

As for shopping in Williamsburg, the Historic Triangle is a shoppe’s paradise with more than 200 retail and designer outlet stores. Yeah, that’s right. More than 200. After a day of visiting Colonial Williamsburg, plan a shopping day at Prime Outlets at Williamsburg, Patriot Plaza Premium Outlets, Williamsburg Outlet Mall and Merchants Square.

Before hitting the road for a Virginia vacation, clean out the closet and toss those cloths you haven’t worn in a year or two. And yes, we know about those garments you haven’t worn in a decade, they need to go, too.  Donate these items to Goodwill, Salvation Army or any other charity of your choice. Better yet, take the vintage items to a thrift shop and try to make some spending money to update the wardrobe during your Virginia vacation.