Halloween is right around the corner. I still can’t believe that we are nearing the end of 2013. With the end of the year being near, we are approaching several holidays. The topic today (and that also relates to the giveaway below) is how to enjoy Halloween while being on a budget.
Usually we buy Halloween costumes every single year, but this year I don’t think we will be doing that. We probably used to spend around $50 to $75 on each costume every year.
There are many ways to save on Halloween costumes.
You can re-wear costumes from past Halloweens (which is probably what we will do since we have so many). You can also trade costumes with friends – this way you get to wear a new-to-you costume and it’s FREE.
Also, you can buy a costume, but wait until there is a coupon! Costume stores almost always send out a 20% or 30% coupon if you are on their email list.
Candy is also pretty expensive when it comes to Halloween. You might spend $4 or $5 a bag, and you most likely need more than one bag. I have heard of people spending well over $100 on Halloween candy, which just seems crazy! What we usually do is just fill up one big bowl full of candy and whoever the first kid is at our door scores the whole bowl. Their face always kills me and makes my day.
This year we won’t be passing out candy, we will be going over to W’s family’s home and celebrating there.There’s usually a pretty big block party and it’s always a lot of fun since their neighborhood is full of historic homes from the 1800’s and early 1900’s, so it really helps with the Halloween vibe.
Halloween will be pretty cheap for us. We bought some pumpkins, and might go to a pumpkin patch soon also. I sadly haven’t been in probably over 15 years!
To completely switch the subject, what about winter holidays? How much do you usually spend on the winter holidays? Give me your best holiday savings tips below! They can be Halloween or Christmahanakwanzika related.
moneystepper says
Trading old costumes with a friends seems like a great idea. You don’t want to go as the same thing twice! The shame!! 🙂
Michelle says
Haha it’s fun to mix it up!
Nicole says
Last halloween because it was the first year my son actually got the concept of trick or treating. He loved it!!
Michelle says
It’s so much fun!
Taynia | The Fiscal Flamingo says
Giving away the whole bowl to the first kid. What a fun thing to do. Can you imagine what they tell their friends. I live in a neighborhood where all the houses are on stilts so we never get trick or treaters. It’s too much work I guess. I love Halloween! It’s my fav holiday. In the middle of figuring out what’re family is going to be this year.
Michelle says
Haha yes, it is so fun to give the whole bowl to the first kid!
GamingYourFinances says
Those are great tips to save a bit of money on Halloween! We always hand out candy to the kids on Halloween, we get maybe 30-40, so it’s pretty cheap and very entertaining to see all the costumes. Have a great party!
Michelle says
Thanks!
DC @ Young Adult Money says
Oh gosh winter holidays are a budget killer! That’s mainly because my family exchanges gifts with everyone. Even though we are a relatively small family, it really adds up. I guess my only tip for Christmas and other winter holidays is plan ahead and look for the best deal for the items on your list.
Michelle says
We do secret Santa thankfully 🙂
Matt Becker says
I’m looking forward to getting a pumpkin and letting my son play with all of the mush. Should be fun!
Michelle says
Haha fun!
Kelsie says
We always buy candy, but I try to make our costumes from things we have lying around the house. Last year, I made dog costumes from old t-shirts and paint. They didn’t look great, but they got the point across!
Michelle says
Oooh I forgot about dog costumes!
Alexa says
Since I take my girls trick or treating I don’t have to worry about passing out candy. That’s one good thing. Plus my girls have so many dress up outfits that we could easily put together costumes from them.
Michelle says
That is great Alexa!
Emily @ Urban Departures says
We live in a condo and not allowed to give candy. That will certainly change if and when we move to a house. My husband and I usually DIY simple costumes, wearing and adding to clothes we already have. Our kid had his first Halloween last year and ended up being gifted four costumes! Halloween isn’t a big money issue for us, Christmas on the other hand… we’ve DIYed some of our presents last year which helped.
Michelle says
Aww four costumes is awesome!
Morgaine says
I always go to a Thrift Shop to get my Halloween costumes (whether its a traditional costume or not). This year I’m doing a “real housewife” costume with a trashy dress and accessories I found at the thrift store all I bought was some orange makeup for that “fake tan” look and I’m ready to go! Cost $12 🙂
Michelle says
Haha that is hilarious!
Broke Millennial says
The best Halloween costume I ever “saw” (really just saw a picture) was my parents’ Psycho costume. My mom rigged up a shower curtain to go around her and she wore a bathing suit and shower cap. My Dad just stood next to her with a bloody knife. I found it hilarious. Plus, it was cheap, cheap, cheap!
That block party sounds like a blast!
Michelle says
Haha that is so funny!
Maria Jose Araya says
my favorite halloween was the first one i was allowed to go trick-or-treating without my parents and only my friends. we bought a ton of silly string and tagged up trees and the sidewalks. i don’t even remember my costume but that night was awesome.
Michelle says
Sounds like fun!
budget and the Beach says
This is going to be a really frugal Halloween for me. I’ll probably go to the dollar store for candy (not the best type of candy I know) and if I do go somewhere only dress up with stuff I already have. I don’t spend a lot on the holidays in general, which is good for me! 🙂
Michelle says
Sounds like our Halloweens will be pretty similar 🙂
Tanya says
I would love to see the face on the kid that got the whole bowl. We go to a work party every year so there is no need to buy candle to hand out here. That saves a lot.
Michelle says
Haha yes it is so funny.
MonicaOnMoney says
Thanks Michelle! I always love these huge giveaways! Such a great way to “meet” more finance bloggers and have a chance to win 🙂
Michelle says
Hope you win! 🙂
Michelle says
Oh yes, you are right!
Michelle says
Haha that is awesome Anna!
Kyla H. says
My first Halloween in Los Angeles in 2011! After an epic road trip to move across the country, my boyfriend and I arrived on Halloween night and went out on the closed stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard with our friends to celebrate. It was quite the introduction to the city!
krantcents says
Halloween is a good time to be creative. I remember some Halloweens when I wore portions of uniforms or something my mother helped me create.
Crystal says
My favorite halloween was when I was about 6-7 and we lived in my childhood home. The neighborhood that we walked around was filled with so many wonderful families that made the experience what every child hopes for. It’s been difficult to get that feeling year after year but that neighborhood was great!
Holly@ClubThrifty says
My two-year-old is going to wear one of her sister’s old costumes but I still need to get one for my four-year-old. I have been looking on ebay for something that is fairly cheap.
Hilary says
When I was three, my mom dressed me up as Miss Piggy from the muppets, complete with a head that was about the size of my entire body and her high heel shoes, that were inches too big. I don’t remember winning a costume contest or trick or treating, but I sure do remember the costume!
Lisa Brown says
every halloween is my favorite because it is my favorite holiday. I love to decorate the outside of my home for the kids
Ron says
I’m an old guy (70) and have long ago forgotten the fun I had many years ago as a child going door to door. It was an exciting adventure.