Hey Taylor – As my kids get older, I’m noticing Halloween keeps getting more expensive. The costumes become more elaborate, and I find myself either paying for more candy to hand out at the door or for some kind of Halloween party. Any tips for cutting costs in late October? – Vanessa
Hey Vanessa – Any holiday can become way too expensive if you don’t keep tabs on it, and Halloween is no different. Fortunately, you get to set the rules on this one. Your kids might have wants and certain expectations, but if you draw a line when it comes to spending, there are still lots of ways to make things fun and affordable.
–1. DIY everything. If your family is anything like my family, elaborate costume needs are the biggest driver of cost. When kids get into their heads that they have to dress up as a certain character from a movie or some such thing, the easiest thing is to order a costume online and be done with it. To avoid the costly costume requests, change the approach. Either riffle through your closet to see what’s already there or go to a thrift store. If your kid says they want to be a pirate, Google “DIY pirate costume.” The same goes for decorations if you like turning your house into a spooky mansion. Don’t spend hundreds of dollars on grave stones and giant statues when you can just stuff old clothes and fill your yard with creepy scarecrows!
–2. Don’t let the party get out of hand. If your number gets called and the kids demand a party, you have to force things to be budget-friendly. The best approach is to emphasize the party elements that don’t have a big price tag, like a costume contest or watching a scary movie. If your gathering has a purpose, you end up spending less aimlessly. As for food, this is a great holiday for cheap snacks. Maybe cook some kind of meal in the crockpot that the kids can share, and otherwise let chips and nuts, and candy do the work. If you’re an artsy baker, make little breadsticks that look like fingers with a marinara dipping sauce. Otherwise, just keep it simple.
–3. Keep it simple and welcoming. Kids love the houses that give out full-size candy bars, but it sure isn’t necessary. My children get pretty pumped over little candy bars as well. A bulk bag of assorted minis works great; let each kid take two or three, and they’ll walk away happy with their Skittles, chocolates, or whatever fun treats you choose.
Halloween spending spirals out of control when you let it happen, so resist that urge and lean into the free elements that are still fun. Good luck!
Taylor Kovar, CFP®
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
