Money Saving Tips on Halloween 2009

To most people, money spent on Halloween is stressful and painful. The National Retail Federation survey in 2006 showed: Americans spent an estimated 5 billion dollars on Halloween! This year’s Halloween festival spending would be no less than this amount. Here are some tips to hold down your costs without breaking the family budget.

Shop online for Halloween deals:
While you may find a cost-effective deal in the town nearby, yet, online shopping is a better way (I personally believe) to get you costume at a temping price. I usually shop online, and buying Halloween costumes, props, decorations, or candies on net is a routine for me every year.

There are usually coupons out there during this period as well, so check your Sunday paper or online coupon sites for costume sales. It really saves me a lot.

Here is a nice example. Try CouponSnapshot.com before shopping, a very comprehensive coupon site I usually visit, for Halloween coupons and deals. You’ll definitely find your favorites there, as lots of online costume retailers, and many coupons are available to be chosen.

The early shopping bird gets the worm:
Preparing ahead gives you many opportunities to select costumes you most fancy at the best price. If waiting until the last minute, you would be stuck with your shopping. You can just search what shops have left and would be hard to find the one best satisfies and fits you. Generally speaking, most remaining in costume shops are the more expensive ones, or unwelcome pieces though at low prices, because people have bought up all of the cheap and chic ones.

Shop costume inexpensively at thrift stores, dollar stores, yard sales, and auction websites alike:
If you have enough time, checking out consignment shops or thrift stores; looking at dollar stores; shopping around local yard sales – these ideas not only enable you to select favorite things, but to bring fun. Or, you can visit some auction websites for costumes.

Buy in bulk and Share Costume:
Purchasing large quantities can easily split your Halloween candy, costume shopping cost with family member, friend, or neighbor.

Children don’t like to wear the same costume once again. If possible, have a costume exchange. Your friends’ children may have costumes they’d like to get rid of. Don’t be shy to ask about swapping with ones you have.