A lot changes when you cross a state line, aside from whether or not fireworks are for sale. Every state in the United States sets its own individual taxes on many products you might purchase out of both habit and necessity. In some cases, driving 50 feet further down the road before running an errand may actually save you a healthy chunk of change over the course of the year. In order for this to really be a practical money saving strategy, you have to live in a town or city that shares a border with your neighboring state, or at least is in close driving distance. As geographic proximity plays the most prominent factor, border towns are obviously the most desirable set-up (border towns as in Kansas City, Missouri/Kansas, not Juarez, Mexico unless you are looking to save on products illegal in the US, avoid Juarez, Mexico). Keep in mind that if crossing the state line is too far of a trek or too high traffic, you will simply lose any savings back in gas money. For anyone who naturally crosses a state line on the way to work or school, make sure you know which state has lower taxes on items like gas, alcohol and tobacco and purchase those items as necessary in the state with cheaper prices. Continue Reading »