Carve Out Savings This Halloween
Summer is officially over, and Halloween kicks off another holiday season. There’ll be witches, ghosts and ghouls — oh my! Even more scary? The hit on your budget when you factor in costumes, decorations, candy and more. In fact, in 2022, American consumers spent over 10.6 billion dollars on Halloween alone. EEK!
With a few minor changes, you can head into the holiday season without financial skeletons lurking in your closet. These adjustments can help you carve out the savings this Halloween:
Costumes
Black cat, robot, go-go dancer, Bob Ross? No matter what you decide on, a good Halloween costume is a staple of the holiday. But you don’t have to spend a fortune, or even any money, to have a spooktacular costume.
Consider making your costumes at home by looking online for DIY inspiration and using items you already have. Not that crafty? Thrift store shopping can be a fun way to throw together a boo-tiful costume on a budget or you could consider doing a costume swap with friends, neighbors or a local social media group.
Candy
In 2021, consumers bought 21.6 million pounds of candy. While trick or treating is one of the most important parts of the holiday, it doesn’t have to be one of the priciest parts of your budget. Start searching for candy coupons in the paper in advance and stock up ahead of time. Holiday candy also tends to come with a more expensive price tag than non-themed candy so don’t skip the normal candy aisle.
You should also consider savings by buying in bulk from a warehouse club or opting for trinkets and treasures, which are usually less expensive. A bonus to giving non-food items is that everyone, even those with food allergies, can enjoy them!
Decorations
Decorating for Halloween is one of the best parts of the holiday. You can save here by skipping the pricey items and taking advantage of dollar store purchases. You can also create a new tradition and have a family or friends craft night turning everyday items into devilish décor. There’s a whole graveyard of great DIY ideas online that can create the spooky setting you desire without breaking the bank.
Events
October offers a variety of festivities to celebrate. If you do your research, you’ll find that many of these are at little to no cost. Take advantage of free events through your local library, parks and businesses. You can also find trunk-or-treats at different schools and churches in your area.
If you’re planning on throwing a party, make it a potluck or assign items for people to bring. This will help keep your costs down and can add variety and fun to the menu. Host a “Ghostest with the Mostest” contest for the best Halloween-themed or decorated dish for some added spirit!
Halloween is a favorite for many and the start of a frightfully festive season but the toll on your budget when the expenses creep in can be scary. Carve out the savings this Halloween and step into the shadows without financial fear.
By Rachel Caballero | TruWest Credit Union
