Halloween Savings
Spending on big fright night has been creeping up over the years. The average household will shell out $80, 10% more than last year. Kelli Grant, Senior Consumer Reporter for SmartMoney.com tells us how we can keep bills from getting scary.
Wait to buy candy. Discounts and coupons get better in the week leading up to Halloween. Bags that are $7 right now will be maybe $3 then. Plus, you'll see plenty of manufacturers coupons to stack with sales.
Pick up costumes now. Most costume sales end a few days before Halloween, when it's too late to order online and the in-store selection has been picked over. Right now, though, you'll see online offers of up 50% off, with free shipping to boot.
Get scared on a weekday. Haunted houses and other attractions see fewer visitors during the week, which can lead to price breaks. Of 25%. Many attractions also offer discounts for buying tickets online in advance, and those deals can knock off as much as 50%.
Use daily-deal sites. They're a great source of half-off discounts for costumes, candy and decorations. Deal sites are also a growing source of cheap admission to Halloween parties and haunted houses. Just check terms before buying - some merchants have lots of fine print.
Buy in bulk. Pound for pound, big bags of candy are less expensive than smaller ones. Sam's Club has a 120-count bag of Hershey's minis for $10; at Target, a 50-count bag is on sale for $8. Consider splitting big bags with friends or neighbors if your trick-or-treater count tends to be low.
For more information on doing Halloween on a budget and other consumer tips click here.