Have a fun, and inexpensive Halloween

What a gorgeous October! Leaves are changing, the weather is warm, and we’re coming up on Halloween. I adore this holiday — it’s fun, the kids love it, and one of my all-time favorite soul foods — candy corn — is plentiful on the shelves.

That being said, the scariest aspect of Halloween seems to be the insane spending people feel is necessary to pull off a decent holiday. I’m hearing $100 or more for costumes, $75+ to purchase treats for the kids, $200+ to throw a party for the kids instead. Forget the terrifying zombie masks out there, it’s the idea of Halloween spending running into the hundreds that has me waking up in a cold sweat. Instead of overspending again this year, let’s make this the year where you save your household some serious cash, and read on for tips that keep the good times going and your money in the bank.

Costumes: Forget the idea that you need to spend hundreds for costumes. Hit your local Goodwill to find amazing costumes at huge discounts, often 90 percent off. You can also stop by thrift stores where costumes for zombies, pirates, sports figures, movie stars await you. Get out there and find the perfect get-up for your kids, and for you, at huge savings.

If you don’t find great get-ups for your kids at the local thrift stores, try your local dollar store, where dozens of costume pieces await. If your little one is longing to be a pirate, cheerleader, police officer or fireman, you will find just about everything you need for — you guessed it — $1 per piece.

Candy: When shopping for your Halloween candy, keep it simple and hit the warehouse clubs for great candy selections for easily 30-50 percent off. Effortless, and you know the candy quality is top notch.

Halloween parties: I’m hearing from an increasing number of households that are steering away from sending kids door-to-door, opting for an fun party for the kids, classmates and relatives at home instead. Personally, I love this concept. Don’t let costs go thru the roof, though. Work with the other parents; everybody is going to want to contribute, and each will have their area of expertise. Let one parent handle cupcakes, another will do the decorations, yet another will handle any spider-shaped piñata on the opposite side of the room. You get the picture. When all is said and done, you can create a party that will win you serious points with your kid’s elementary school class (no small trick) for very little cost, and save you miles of walking around strange neighborhoods on the scariest night of the year.

Above all else, remember what Halloween is all about — clean fun, lots of laughs for the kids, and — let us not forget — stores selling off their excess candy corn for 50-75 percent off in the days after Halloween. Oh yeah!

Happy Halloween, everybody — Frugal On!