Scary-smart tricks for a happy Halloween!

These wallet-friendly tips will set a ghoulishly great mood faster than you can say “boo!”

Pick a great pumpkin with the stem test

To ensure you select a “blue ribbon” gourd, “just check to see if the stem is strong enough to carry it,” advises Brent Loy, professor emeritus of plant genetics at the University of New Hampshire. “A strong, dark-green stem indicates that the pumpkin will last almost twice as long as one whose stem is weak or brown because it shows that it was younger when it was picked.” Also smart: Skip any specimen that’s missing the stem altogether, as it continues to nourish the pumpkin even after it’s been harvested.

Carve like a pro with cookie cutters

It’s easy to create a standout jacko’-lantern with cookie cutters! Grab a shape like a star or a bat, says savings expert Sarah Hollenbeck (Offers.com). “Then turn the pumpkin on its side, and use a hammer to gently tap the cookie cutter into it. Trace the outline with a knife until the shape pops out, and voilà—you’ll have a ‘carved’ pumpkin!” Make the fun last longer with lavender & cinnamon The trick to keeping pumpkins looking their best throughout the season? “Sprinkle a few drops of lavender essential oil on a washcloth and wipe them down,” Hollenbeck says. “The oil has antifungal properties that ward off decay.” And if you’re carving? Rub some cinnamon on the inside. Not only is the festive spice an antibacterial that’ll prolong the life of your creation, when you light a candle inside it, a wonderful aroma will permeate your home!

DIY boo-tiful makeup with pantry staples

Forget buying face paint you’ll use just once a year, and instead, head to your kitchen for all the supplies you’ll need, says Hollenbeck. “If you’re dressing up as a vampire, for example, whip up fake blood by mixing 1 cup of corn syrup with 2 Tbs. of chocolate syrup, along with red food dye to reach your desired color.” As for makeup: Combine two parts cornstarch and one part vegetable shortening and add a few drops of your desired food coloring. When you’re done applying it, just brush with a little baby powder to help set it in place. Save on sweets Skip seasonal displays and head to the regular candy aisle: “The same treats will be 15% less,” reveals Mary Potter Kenyon, author of Coupon Crazy. Also consider sidestepping pricier chocolate sweets in favor of fruity hard candies, which cost up to 30% less per piece than fun-size candy bars.