Halloween Costs Are Scaring Me. How Can I Save?

Q: Money is tight, so the thought of shopping for Halloween costumes and the party I’ll be hosting are scaring me silly. Is there any way I can save on Halloween costs, or am I doomed to send my budget down a deep, dark hole?

A: Halloween costs can be frightful, but you can send those debt goblins packing and get your budget back on track without compromising on your costume or decor. Here’s how.

• Swap costumes with friends

Scare everyone silly by digging up your Halloween costumes of past years and organizing a costume swap with friends or neighbors. You’ll get that creepy costume without spending a penny!

• Turn your college clothing into a costume

Go as your college self, complete with the hairstyle and accessories you wore back then, or just dress as that decade for a trip down memory lane that’s sure to get loads of laughs. 

• Do a group costume

You can have a frightfully fabulous Halloween getup without spending a ton when you theme your costume as a group. Some ideas for group costumes include Disney villains, classic movie monsters and Pacman and ghosts. 

• Repurpose household items for Halloween decor

Old white sheets and a permanent marker can make the best ghosts. Pool noodles can be outfitted in striped leggings to look like witch legs and you can fashion a bunch of creepy bats from construction paper. You can also turn milk cartons into countertop ghosts with some plastic eyes and LED lights. Also, slant the hang of your wall photos for a creepy vibe. 

• Recycle decorations

Instead of buying new decorations each year, invest in a few high-quality pieces you can reuse. Classic items like pumpkins, spider webs and skeletons never go out of style and can be stored year-to-year.

• Use strategic lighting to set the mood

A lighting change can transform your home. Set some half-melted candles on your window sills, black out the windows to keep all light out and change some lightbulbs to colored bulbs for an eerie tone. 

Halloween doesn’t have to be a budget-buster! With a bit of creativity and some strategic planning, you can enjoy all the fun of the holiday without the scary price tag.