Do Halloween Costs Frighten You?

According to the National Retail Federation’s 2015 Halloween Spending Survey, the average person will spend over $74 celebrating Halloween. My family’s goal is to spend under $50 this year. Here are a few tips we’ve followed to cut costs and keep the cobwebs on the outside of our pockets this Halloween.

Costumes

Make your own. Even if you’re not the crafty type, making costumes for your kids or even yourself is easy. Search websites such as Pinterest, WikiHow or Parents.com, to find ideas and tips for making costumes with household or low-cost items. Thanks to Pinterest, my son will be a red Lego® by simply using a moving box, red drink cups, and a can of spray paint. The total price of his costume…$7.50.

Buy late or after Halloween. As Halloween gets closer, many stores lower the price of costumes significantly. You can get a great deal on even the most popular costumes. Shop after Halloween to get next year costumes at even deeper price cuts.

Candy

Buy bulk. Bulk packs of candy at warehouse clubs can cost much less than the bags of candy sold at the grocery store, especially if you want to get a variety of candies or regular size packs.

Skip the chocolate. Chocolate costs more per ounce than other candies. Save by opting for gum, hard candy or lollipops.

Decorations

Shop surplus or thrift stores. You can find Halloween decorations in these stores for more half the cost than regular stores. You can also consider using items like dolls or other types of decorations you can alter with your own creepy Halloween twist.

Shop online. Check online party stores or sites like Amazon.com and Overstock.com for deals or discounts on bulk sales or specials on Halloween decorations.

Buy after Halloween. Every year, my wife shops for decorations after Halloween and stores them for the next year. As with costumes, you can get decorations at stores for as much as 70% off after Halloween.

What are some ways you save on Halloween? Share with us below.