Shopaholic l October 21, 2010 l Boo! Did your credit card bill sneak up and scare you after Halloween last year? Between costumes, decorations, candy, and parties…Halloween can get expensive!
The National Retail Federation says Americans will spend an average of $66 on Halloween this year, with total spending reaching $5.8 billion! That’s a lot of candy corn and cobwebs.
Read on for some tricks to make this year a bit more fun…and a lot less scary when next month’s bill arrives!
Costumes
- Avoid Halloween superstores that inevitably pop up every year around Labor Day. Their costumes can be overpriced and cheaply made. You are much better off picking a costume idea and scouring thrift stores such as Goodwill for the pieces you need.
- Borrow from a friend. With the popularity of theme parties these days, your friends are sure to have some pieces you can use.
- DIY costume…visit The Daily Green for 100 homemade costume ideas and get crafty!
- Skip the canine costumes. Sure, your dog might look cute as Lady Gaga in Good Housekeeping’s annual pet costume contest, but do you really need the added expense?
Decorations
- Utilize natural beauty all around you for decorations! As colorful leaves fall, collect them and keep them for your fall décor. Or follow Martha Stewart’s lead, using fall harvest items to dress up your digs.
- Make a scarecrow out of some old jeans and a button-down shirt…just stuff with hay or newspaper and prop up on your front porch.
- Peruse the dollar section. Big box stores often have seasonal goodies at unbelievable prices, for everything from banners, candy dishes, and cooking supplies to costumes, napkins, and Halloween-themed baked goods!
Trick-or-Treaters
- Shop in bulk for trick-or-treating candy. Ask your neighbors if they are interested in splitting a few giant bags of candy from Costco or Sam’s Club; that way, you have a nice variety and you won’t be stuck with leftover candy…good for both your wallet and your waistline!
- Shut off your lights. If you don’t want to splurge to feed the hundreds of kids who will come to your door on beggar’s night, don’t participate!
Post-Holiday Bargains
- As of November 1st, Halloween items are dramatically reduced in stores…shop now for next year, and you will be all set! It’s a perfect time to snap up costumes and decorations…but don’t try this trick with candy for next year, you’ll just end up with an upset stomach!
