GRAPEVINE (CBSDFW.COM) - Thousands of North Texans are cashing in on the sales tax holiday. They're taking advantage of the sales, saving taxes on clothes, shoes and backpacks.

It's perhaps a sure sign of the final days of summer - the annual sales tax holiday. It beacons the bargain shopper by the droves and draws crowds reminincent of those during the holiday season.

"It's been great. We've been saving a lot of money," shopper Nicole White said.

White and her family was among the thousands out searching for savings at Grapevine Mills Mall this tax free holiday. "It actually helps," Willie White said. "It stretches your dollar. If you plan on spending $250, you can truly spend $250, instead of $250 plus tax."

The Whites are shopping for two young girls who came armed with lists of their own. "Shoes, and I got a feather and a necklance and some jeans," Eriyana White said.

"I got shoes, a feather and I'm going to Toys R Us so who knows what I'm getting," Nina Simone said.

Jeff Russell was out shopping with his daughter. This is his first time ever to brave the crowds for the bargains and he says it's been worth it. "I think the more you spend - the more you save. But yes, you do save some," Russell said.

Russell says he saved about $75 on his daughter's clothes.

On average, families save about $8 for every $100 they spend. What's more, stores have coupled the holiday with promotional sales - and that just adds to the savings.

Saving White and others are taking advantage of, at least until Sunday when the sale ends.