From the comical influx of pumpkin spice products to the social pressure you might feel to take your significant-other apple picking, fall has become a highly commercialized season, and its high point culminates on October 31st, a.k.a., Halloween.   

While there’s lots of fun to be had in the fall, by the time you get to Halloween, any enjoyment you may have planned for the holiday can turn into a nightmare for your bank account. 

Luckily, we’ve rounded up our top five spooky tips to keep your savings out of the grave this Halloween season. 

Create a Halloween Plan

Create a wicked wishlist of everything you’d like to do and purchase this Halloween season. 

Are you planning on giving out candy to trick-or-treaters, or will you spend Halloween night at a party? Do your children have Halloween events at school that they need to contribute to? Clearly defining what you do and don’t need to buy will limit purchase decisions. 

Assign your budget to these Halloween wishlist items. Make sure you allocate realistically for more fun expenses without putting pressure on needs like housing, groceries, and utilities. For additional help, use Payactiv’s free budgeting tools to reach for your Halloween goals. 

While it’s easy to get swept away in the magic of the holiday, you don’t want to be tricked into purchasing impulse items or paying for overpriced Halloween thrills in the heat of the moment. 

Look for Free (or Nearly Free) Events in Your Town 

The fall ushers in typically milder weather throughout the United States, making it a great time to get outside and enjoy the perks of the season. 

Walking around your neighborhood to look at Halloween decorations can be a great free pastime. Additionally, visiting your town’s local outdoor art and craft shows and enjoying the food samples is another great way to spend a fall Saturday. 

Check out your local churches, synagogues, and community centers for free Halloween events for children. These events usually offer arts and crafts, snacks, and other activities that can fill an entire afternoon. Most of the time, these events only ask for a small, optional donation.  

Pro tip: Catch a Halloween movie for you and the family for less when you buy discounted AMC tickets in the free Payactiv app¹. Yes– even for opening night! 

Make Your Own Decorations and Costumes 

Everyone’s home has broken or miscellaneous items that have a creepy flair. For example, take your children’s dolls that have seen better days and put them around the house à la Annabelle. Or maybe take the broken mirror you’ve been meaning to throw away and hang it on the wall.

If there’s nothing at home that’s sparking your imagination, try searching for Halloween-themed decor like tablecloths and napkins at dollar stores for a fraction of the price of other retailers. 

As for costumes, there may be many creative options within your closet. Search sites like Pinterest for ideas to take simple items like jeans, flannel shirts, and plaid skirts into costumes that display your favorite pop culture characters. 

If you can’t find something for a costume out of the items in your closet, then head to your local thrift store. These places have tons of things to choose from at a massive discount compared to retail stores. 

Purchase Items Early 

The best way to find the most inexpensive items for Halloween is to start purchasing items early. Knowing what you need well before October 31st helps you save the most overall. Many stores capitalize on last-minute shoppers by jacking up candy and costume prices. Don’t fall for this trap. 

Plan Ahead for Next Year 

The best Halloween deals of all come in the days following. Head out on November 1st to grab leftover decorations, costumes, and other items you wanted to purchase this year but didn’t.  

Keep inventory of decorations or costumes and store them in a place you won’t forget. Then, when the next Halloween season rolls around, you’ll know what you may need and what you won’t. 

Also, note things you would or wouldn’t do again. Did people rave about your Halloween party weeks after it happened? Did you have fun at the haunted hayride at your local orchard? Don’t waste time and money on things you didn’t enjoy. Instead, focus on the experiences that you and your family relished.  

The Final Word 

While you aren’t expected to purchase gifts for others or visit far-away family and friends over Halloween, it can still put a devilish dent in your savings if you aren’t careful. Follow these five spooky savings tips for a magical Halloween season. 

Have a safe and happy Halloween from Payactiv!

All content provided on Payactiv.com/blog/ is for informational purposes only. Payactiv makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link from this site. Payactiv will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. Payactiv will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.