Trick Or Treat On The Cheap
If you're looking to save some money this Halloween, listen up; Kelli Grant, Senior Consumer Reporter for SmartMoney.com, has some advice for spending less on everything from candy to costumes.
Halloween can be expensive. Grant estimates that between decorations, candy, costumes, activities and accessories, families can easily spend hundreds of dollars on just one night of fun.
To save on one major component of the holiday, try buying candy in bulk. "If you think about it, a one pound bag of Toosie Rolls is going to cost you about five dollars at the drug store and on Amazon.com, $15.00 gets you a five pound bag. It's like saving two dollars a pound," says Grant. If you don't get that many trick-or-treaters, consider splitting a bulk bag with neighbors or friends. That way, everyone can cash in on the savings.
If a Halloween party is in your future and you're looking for a great costume, pass up the updated "2009" versions you'll find at the store. "Every year, manufacturers will make new versions of the same classics like pirates, princesses and vampires," says Grant. "Steer clear of a costume that says 'New for 2009' and you can easily save 50%."
Many families like to go on hay rides or visit haunted houses during October, but these can be pricey outings. To save, try to visit Halloween-themed sites on weekdays instead of weekends. Not only are there less visitors during the week, you may also get a discount. "Fright Planet out in Sacramento knocks $3.00 off its $20.00 ticket price if you go during the week," says Grant.
Other families like to go all-out at home instead by building grave yards on their front lawn and stringing ghosts and spooky goblins in the trees. If you love to decorate, consider reusing decorations from last year or buying ones that will last all season. Uncut pumpkins, hay bales and garland made from plastic fall leaves are great for Halloween, but they can also be festive for Thanksgiving or just autumn in general. Not only will you save money, you'll also save time because you won't have to redecorate as often.
If you are planning on buying pumpkins this year, do your homework before you head to the store. Because sections of the country had a bad spring growing season, many farmers' pumpkin crops aren't as plentiful as usual. Some states - particularly in the Northeast - are importing pumpkins from other states, and that leads to higher costs. Local growers are raising prices on their pumpkins too, so make some phone calls before you buy. It's possible to save up to 50 cents per pound.
For more information on making your Halloween more budget friendly, click here to visit www.SmartMoney.com.
By Erin Petrun