Texas' sales tax holiday ran Friday through Sunday and gave shoppers a break on qualifying items priced at $100 or less.
The comptroller's office estimated shoppers will have saved $142.5 million in state and local taxes this weekend.
"I'm a mom, just work at home. So money's a little tight, especially what's going on in this economy," Houston mother Tawanda Johnson told ABC13.
Johnson said she made sure to use the tax-free weekend for her back-to-school shopping needs.
"We saved about $375," Johnson said. "I have five kids, so it really did help."
The savings come at a time when many families said they are watching their budgets closely.
According to a new GMA Poll, a majority of parents with children in kindergarten through 12th grade said prices for things they normally buy for back-to-school shopping are higher this year than last year, and they expect to spend nearly $900 per child.
READ MORE: Parents expect to spend an average of nearly $900 per child on back-to-school shopping this year: GMA/Ipsos Parents Poll
The poll said while parents have noticed higher prices, only 4 in 10 overall said they expect to spend more money on back-to-school shopping this year.
46% said they plan to spend the same amount, and just 13% said they expect to spend less this year, according to the poll.
The National Retail Federation said about half of shoppers plan to purchase only the essentials needed for the start of the school year and restock supplies as needed throughout the year.
Ultimately, Johnson said saving money gave her some extra breathing room.
"It's very hard right now, just as a single mom trying to figure out putting my five kids into school," Johnson said. "This weekend is a major blessing."