Blogging for Change

Four easy ways to save on Halloween

by Jessica Horton on
10/25/2012
in Budgeting and Building Savings

While the thought of Halloween may not ignite the same level of financial fright as some of the more traditional big-ticket holidays, don’t be fooled.

Raking in more than $8 billion in sales, Halloween has become the nation’s second-largest holiday. And according to the National Retail Federation (NRF), the average American will spend about $80 on the frightening festivities this year.

So what can you do to ensure your Halloween spending doesn’t come back to haunt you come Nov. 1?

  • Conjure up a creative costume. Costumes generally consume the biggest part of the Halloween budget. Luckily, DIY (do-it-yourself) is all the rage these days. So get frugal and browse your closet, the racks at the thrift store and boards on Pinterest (Follow MMI's Pinterest boards for some great ideas!). You can also save by borrowing accessories and hair pieces from friends and family members. Better yet, invite your friends and family over for a costume-swap. You have all likely accumulated a good amount of Halloween garb over the years that could be upcycled and reused.
  • Set your budget in stone. If you’re planning a party or partaking in local Halloween events, set aside the cash in advance. In fact, set an amount you’re willing to spend and take only that amount to the store with you when you’re purchasing party supplies and Halloween goodies. This way you’ll be less tempted to stray from your budget. And remind yourself that this is not a time to rack up credit card bills, especially with holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas right around the corner.
  • Be strategic when buying sweets. You’ll want to be ready for all those pint-sized monsters coming to your door, so it may be more cost-effective to buy in bulk. Scan the ads in the Sunday paper for the best deals and coupons. And don’t forget to check the dollar store. Most importantly, stick to whatever candy is the cheapest. No one is judging you based on your candy assortment, so don’t feel the need to distribute full-size chocolate bars.
  • Ask yourself ‘WWMD?' (What Would Martha Do?) It’s easy to get carried away with elaborate Halloween decorations for your house and yard. Instead, opt to take a page out of Martha Stewart’s book and make your own decorations. In fact, her website includes a list of 50 ideas for cost-effective Halloween décor using items you probably already have!

Have no fear — by utilizing a few of these tricks, you’re sure to conjure up a Halloween that’s nothing short of a treat for all!

Tagged in Halloween

Jessica Horton is a former copywriter and community manager at MMI.

Recommended Articles

Man sitting in front of pile of bills, trying to understand his options.
Professional Budget Advice
Make the most of every dollar and start building toward your dreams! Budget counseling is FREE and available 24/7.
Learn More
Learn more
  • Better Business Bureau A+ rating Better Business Bureau
    MMI is proud to have achieved an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), a nonprofit organization focused on promoting and improving marketplace trust. The BBB investigates charges of fraud against both consumers and businesses, sets standards for truthfulness in advertising, and evaluates the trustworthiness of businesses and charities, providing a score from A+ (highest) to F (lowest).
  • Financial Counseling Association of America Financial Counseling Association of America
    MMI is a proud member of the Financial Counseling Association of America (FCAA), a national association representing financial counseling companies that provide consumer credit counseling, housing counseling, student loan counseling, bankruptcy counseling, debt management, and various financial education services.
  • Trustpilot Trustpilot
    MMI is rated as “Excellent” (4.9/5) by reviewers on Trustpilot, a global, online consumer review platform dedicated to openness and transparency. Since 2007, Trustpilot has received over 116 million customer reviews for nearly 500,000 different websites and businesses. See what others are saying about the work we do.
  • Department of Housing and Urban Development - Equal Housing Opportunity Department of Housing and Urban Development
    MMI is certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide consumer housing counseling. The mission of HUD is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD provides support services directly and through approved, local agencies like MMI.
  • Council on Accreditation Council On Accreditation
    MMI is proudly accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA), an international, independent, nonprofit, human service accrediting organization. COA’s thorough, peer-reviewed accreditation process is designed to ensure that organizations like MMI are providing the highest standard of service and support for clients and employees alike.
  • National Foundation for Credit Counseling National Foundation for Credit Counseling
    MMI is a longstanding member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling® (NFCC®), the nation’s largest nonprofit financial counseling organization. Founded in 1951, the NFCC’s mission is to promote financially responsible behavior and help member organizations like MMI deliver the highest-quality financial education and counseling services.