Josh Elledge - Chief Executive Angel
According to a survey by the National Retail Federation, Americans plan to spend an average of $74 this year on Halloween candy, costumes and decorations. Interestingly, costumes for adults is a fair portion of this total, outpacing the expected frontrunner, kids’ costumes.
Halloween Money Savings!
Halloween money savings tip!
Save on costumes: Avoid the expensive of a new costume. Instead, check out sites like Pinterest.com for Halloween money savings inspiration. Rummage through closets to put together eclectic outfits, borrow scrubs from a friend who is a nurse or doctor, make a robot out of a simple cardboard box and some creativity… Another great source for costumes are secondhand shops. Bride costumes, princess or flapper dresses, gangster suits, martial arts uniforms, and more, can be found cheap. Often what really “makes” a costume is either the hair style or something worn on the head. For example, a mad scientist is easily portrayed by a simple lab coat, a pair of goggles on the forehead, and a crazy hairdo.
Halloween money savings tip!
Save on candy: This week and next, coupons and sales for candy will abound. Head to SavingsAngel.com for our free coupon database and watch our blog for candy deals. If you want to try your luck for clearance deals, you can wait until the 31st to buy your candy. Many stores already cut the prices of remaining inventory, in hopes that last minute shoppers will help clear out overstock.
Halloween money savings tip!
Save on decorations: Decorating with leaves and other outdoor elements is free and looks great. For paper or plastic decorations, try the dollar store. With Halloween close now, fantastic deals can be found at farmer’s markets for pumpkins, corn stalks, hay bales, and gourds.
Safe Treats:
While not a new technique, parents are more likely to take their kids out of their immediate neighborhood for Halloween trick-or-treating than ever before. Parents seeking alternatives plan to drive into neighborhoods that are viewed as safer and more affluent; plan to attend public “trunk or treat” events; or find parties, carnivals, or events open to the public. By trick-or-treating elsewhere, parents secure a safer environment, with less teenagers making mischief, well-lit homes and streets, a family-friendly atmosphere, and fun, but not too scary decor. If you live in an area like this, or plan to host a public event, be prepared with a little more candy this year than in the past.
If you are parent planning the trick-or-treating, but aren’t comfortable going into a neighborhood that isn’t yours – check local sources for events open to the public. It is common for churches, civic groups, school groups, and more, to offer alternatives to regular trick-or-treating. Some offer “trunk or treat”, which is a safe, quick way to get a lot of candy. Held in a parking lot or well-lit field, people from the group gather together and line up their vehicles. Trunks or cargo areas are decorated, and candy is handed out as you walk from trunk to trunk. Another popular event is a party or carnival open to the public. These are typically free and sometimes even offer extras such as hot dogs, cocoa, coffee and popcorn. To find events in your area, check Facebook, ask friends and family, watch community bulletin boards in stores and restaurants, check the newspaper, and look on mLive.com (Michigan).
Excess sweets: Here's some real Halloween money savings – when it comes to dental bills! Whether you have excess sweets lying around because you bought too much, or the kids had a mega-haul – here’s a fantastic way to pare down the sugar. Rather than eating excessive amounts, consider bringing some of it to Operation Gratitude’s Halloween Candy Buyback. Started in 2005, this effort by dentists and hygienists encourages less candy consumption by kids, while cheering up U.S. troops serving overseas. Bring your candy to a local participating dental office and exchange for cash and prizes. (What you receive in exchange varies by location.) The candy is then pooled together, sorted, and sent in care packages. Show our troops some love with a sweet reminder of home – plan to donate your excess candy this year!
