Student-Saving-Bucks: Los Angeles - Lower Sales Tax & Banned Plastic Bags?

Friday, July 1, 2011

Los Angeles - Lower Sales Tax & Banned Plastic Bags?

As of today, July 1, 2011, us Los Angeles residents have two important things to keep in mind while shopping. What exactly are they? Lower sale tax rate (finally!) and banned plastic bags.

Lower taxes, well just a little lower. Residents in the Greater Los Angeles county will see their sales tax lowered by 1%. Sales tax differs greatly in Los Angeles, but in my area its at a whopping 9.75%, so now when I go shopping I'll only be paying 8.75%. Its still relatively high compared to the rest of the country, but any break is a good one. I should note, all of California will have a 1% drop in sales tax, so some areas are dropping as low as 7.25%!

Another important update for us Angelinos is the ban on plastic bags. While I feel rather neutral about Los Angeles unincorporated cities banning plastic bags, I'm well prepared. I recommend you guys buy some nice long-lasting reusable bags, because if you don't, you'll be paying an extra $0.10 for a paper bag at the stores when you go shopping. Now, since I live in the Greater Los Angeles area, this law doesn't affect me but lets be realistic; I have a family of 6 so we could easily be paying an extra $1.50 - $2.00 worth of paper bags per visit if we don't use our own reusable bags. That adds up. Remember that many stores DO give credit when you use your own reusable bags, Target gives you $0.05 per reusable bag!

Just some things we should be aware of, I am glad I found out beforehand because as someone who like to SAVE, I would've been upset having to pay for paper bags!

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Alicia C. · 717 weeks ago

I used to live in the Valley and I have to say that plastic bags blowing around was part of the scenery. It was not cool, but people just didn't throw their trash where it belonged (or the city neglected - as usual - emptying the trash cans that line most streets.) I'm glad to hear something is finally being done.

I live in Michigan now and really wish the ban/fees on the bags would happen here, too!

1 reply · active 717 weeks ago

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Ai Mei - SSBucks 54p · 717 weeks ago

I currently live in the valley and would agree with you, but ultimately I feel its a persons responsibility to take initiative. We never let our bags blow in the wind, we use them for trash (saved money not having to buy trash bags). But seeing as there are TOO many flying bags around some areas here, the only thing that would change would be us buying trash bags. We are stocked with reusable bags, we use them but often ask for a couple plastic bags for the soda bottles (for us to use at home).Its a good product to use on doggy poo too :)

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Steve Burns · 715 weeks ago

I guess I'll be the wet blanket. I'm totally for conservation, and for (well, at least some) Green thinking. But I don't like the "ban" on these bags. This, for me, is the extremist point of view.

In my own life, I always re-purpose the bags. There is no substitute for this bag's use when I'm using it, other than to go out an purchase a package of small plastic bags (from say, Glad or something).

In general, I don't like making changes in this manner. It's happening with everything. America has obese children...so, since the parents won't get on board (which is THEIR option)... we're taking food out of vending machines. Even at my work place (health care - though I'm IT), everything is replaced by healthier choices. Well...whose version of healthier?

I come from rural farm country. I grew up on Scrapple (which is commonly referred to as including everything from a pig but the grunt LOL). It's considered amazingly unhealthy...but I'm 48, healthy as a horse (without any health regimen in play), and my cholesterol is great. And that just isn't me, it's almost everyone back home...we have more stress related problems from farming and rural life being replaced by the drive to move to cities and destroy the small town way of life, but not dietary issues.

It's like theoretical math...they think that as long as there's another calculation that "can" be done...then it probably should be.

I want the plastic bags.
I want people to find a way to make it inconvenient for OTHERS, and not just take it away from everyone.

The sales tax thing...totally cool. :)