How to Halloween on a budget

Halloween is upon us, the spookiest time of year.

Halloween is a multi-billion dollar industry, and it kicks-off all the shopping that gets done until the rest of the year.  Forbes estimates that people will spend $2.6 billion dollars on purchasing costumes this year, $2.08 billion on candy, and $1.96 billion on décor.

As a child, you probably thought the haunted houses and chilling movies were the scariest aspects of the season… until you became an adult and got a credit card.  Yes, one of the scariest things you have to do as an adult is check your credit card statement after purchasing costumes, decorations, and treats.  Don’t be alarmed, we can help ease the burden of Halloween credit card bills by offering a few money-saving tips.

1. DIY Halloween decorations
   Most decorations that you need for Halloween are already within your home, you just need to be a bit creative.  With some string, old jars, markers, candles, and a bit of imagination, you can make your front porch spooktacular.  See some DIY Halloween crafts here.
2. Re-use costumes
   Thrift shops are well-known for selling used (and sometimes new) Halloween costumes at bargain prices.  Alternatively, you could swap costumes with a friend that you each wore in previous years.  Do you really want to spend more than $60 on a one-time outfit?
   
3. When it comes to trick or treating, your kids want quantity
   While you may think it’s cute to buy your children a decorated candy carrying bag, those bags often don’t have enough storage space to meet the capacity of trick-or-treaters’ needs.  Solution: pillow cases.  They’re large, sturdy, and you already have them at your house – no need to make a new purchase.
4. Buy Halloween candy in advance
   We’re a week away from Halloween now, so this money-saving tip won’t help you for this season.  Halloween candy is being sold at full-price in every grocery store now, but if you do your candy shopping more than a month prior to Halloween, you’ll surely find some early bird discounts (just make sure the expiry date hasn’t passed by time you start handing it out).  And if you’ve got a sweet-tooth of your own, candy WILL go on sale in November to clear out inventory.

Have any more money saving Halloween tips?  We’d love to hear about them so that we can share them with our audience.

If you find yourself in need of debt help, please give us a call for a free consultation.  Happy Halloween!