10 Ways to Save Money on Halloween

There are plenty of ways to save money on Halloween and still be able to enjoy the holiday and have FUN!  I’m not going to suggest anything crazy like turning out all the lights in your house and not answering the door to trick-or-treaters – – that would just be mean!!  Instead, we come up with these 10 ways to save money on Halloween that should help keep a little cash in your hands this year and still let some treats end up in the treat bags of your neighbors kids.
 

10 Ways to Save Money on Halloween

1. While it might take a little more time, making your own costumes and holiday decor is a thrifty option.  There are tons of ideas online.  An easy way to look for them is through Pinterest – – just do a search on the word “Halloween”.
2. You can also visit thrift stores for both costumes and decor.  You’ll find home decor at super cheap prices and can find either complete costumes or pieces of clothing to combine into a costume creation of your own.
3. If you’re shopping for Halloween supplies online, shop through a rewards site like Ebates and you can not only find great deals, but also earn rewards for your purchases.  For Ebates   you can just visit the site and click the Halloween tab at the top of the screen for their Halloween Gift Guide with lots of ways to be rewarded for your Halloween purchases.
4. Make your own treats.  Decorated Halloween cupcakes and cookies at the grocery store or bakery can be expensive.  Make your own (a mix is fine) and use some food coloring to color frosting or make colored sugar for decoration.  You can also print out these free cupcake toppers.
5. Craft stores start marking down Halloween items as early as 3 weeks or more before the holiday.  Even if you’re NOT a crafty person, they have lots of already complete Halloween decorations available!
6. Buy candy when it’s on sale (check your local newspaper fliers) and combine those sales with coupons.  Most stores may have a limit on their super cheap deals, so you might have to hit multiple stores to get enough candy at a low price.  Find coupons in your local Sunday newspaper or online through Coupons.com.
7. If you have friends or relatives with kids close in age/size to your own – swap last year’s costumes.  Everyone will then have a costume that is “new to them”.
8. For some free fun, pack the family in the car and visit homes decorated for the holiday.  Check your local newspaper for listings of Halloween displays or ask friends and family to let you know of any decorated houses in their neighborhoods.
9. Pumpkins can be expensive!  For the cheapest option, start early next year to grow your own.  Otherwise, watch supermarket flyers for deals or hit a farmer’s market at the end of the day when many vendors often slash the prices on their  remaining produce.
10. To save for next year, shop Halloween clearance sales AFTER Halloween to stock up on costumes and supplies at 50%, 75% or 90% off.

How do YOU save money on Halloween?