Budget-Friendly Tricks to Help You Save Money This Halloween – Kristin Louis
While many of us love a good scare, no one is ready to check their bank statements after Halloween. People spare no expense to prepare for this beloved holiday. From spooky events and decorations to elaborate costumes and candy, there’s a lot of stuff to buy. According to the National Retail Federation, Halloween spending is expected to reach $8.8 billion this year! Fortunately, savvy shoppers can make it to November without breaking the bank by following these budget-friendly tips and tricks.
Save with Coupons and Cash Back
Use coupons and cashback opportunities to save money on all of your Halloween shopping. Before you buy anything, look online to compare prices at different stores and find promo codes that can help you save big. Shopping online can also save you a lot of time on your Halloween prep. Try to shop strategically during the month so you can grab clearance items and discounted décor. For example, grocery store pumpkins are already fairly cheap, but they may go on sale closer to Halloween.
When buying candy, pay attention to the unit price. Lookout for two-for-one deals and try to buy bulk bags rather than gourmet chocolate bars. Name-brand candies tend to be pricey, so don’t be afraid to shop generic brand treats. If you can stack a coupon on a great deal, you can save a significant amount on a huge stash of candy for your trick-or-treaters or partygoers.
Thrift Your Costume
According to Investopedia, Halloween costumes can range in price from $30 to hundreds of dollars! A child-sized costume alone can cost you upwards of $50 with the addition of props and makeup. While you can save big bucks by making your costume, this can take a lot of time. Instead, try checking thrift stores and consignment shops for second-hand costumes. You may be able to grab a great costume for a couple of bucks! You can also get creative and craft your costume by combining different used clothing pieces. This is a great way to dress up as a favorite character from a TV show or coordinate group costumes with your friends.
Make Your Decorations
Whether you’re throwing a Halloween party or you’re expecting a horde of eager trick-or-treaters at your door, decorations are a must. Shop around for discounts and deals before heading out. If you want to save on your Halloween decorations, try making them yourself! Look for online sales when buying your crafting supplies to keep things cheap. When Halloween is over, do yourself a favor and save your decorations for next year. The day after Halloween is also a great time to purchase heavily discounted decorations to add to your collection..
Seek Out Affordable Fall Activities
Believe it or not, there are more haunted houses than Target stores in the United States. The lucrative industry frightens millions of Americans every year, but haunted attractions can be expensive. If you have a big family, you may find yourself spending up to $100 for one short experience! Instead, fill your October with affordable fall activities. Keep an eye out for local harvest festivals and Halloween events hosted by your city. Head to a farm to go apple picking or hop on a hayride. Or, spend some time walking through a forest of changing leaves. You can even stay home and carve pumpkins, cook up some quick fall-inspired snacks, and watch a horror movie.
Don’t let Halloween spending scare you out of getting festive this October. While Halloween can be an expensive holiday, it doesn’t have to be. There are several great ways to keep costs down without draining the fun out of this treasured holiday. After all, getting crafty and shopping around for deals may add a little more excitement to your Halloween prep!
About the Author
Kris Louis is mom to two rambunctious boys. Her oldest is 10 and her youngest is 7. A former advertising copywriter, she recently created parentingwithkris.com, where she puts her skills to work writing about the trials and tribulations of parenting. Kris, her husband, and two boys live in Durham, NC.
