First Bank of the Lake: 8 Money-Saving Tips For Halloween

How are you planning to celebrate Halloween? Maybe you're taking your kids trick-or-treating, maybe you're attending a Halloween party, or maybe you're planning to pass out candy to the excited trick-or-treaters who come to your door. Regardless of how you plan to celebrate, the holiday could probably end up costing you a pretty penny if you aren't careful! First Bank of the Lake is here to help you plan a fun Halloween that won't break the bank.

8 Tips To Save Money This Halloween

1. Hit Up The Thrift Stores
Costumes tend to be expensive, and they can add up quickly if you're having to outfit multiple people. Save money by shopping for costumes at thrift stores. Purchasing gently used clothing items and building your costume from scratch will likely be much less expensive in the long run. Thrift stores often also sell pre-owned Halloween decorations. Yard sales and garage sales are also a great way to find Halloween paraphernalia throughout the year.

2. Make Your Own Halloween Decorations
Does your household tend to go all-out on the Halloween decorations? Decorating for Halloween is grand fun, especially if you have young children to help you. You can save money and make great memories with your family by getting crafty and making your Halloween decorations instead of buying them.

3. Trade Costumes With Friends
If you have friends with children who are roughly the same age as yours, you may be able to trade costumes with them. This allows both kids to get some variety in their costumes without requiring you to pay double.

4. Maximize Coupons/Sales
Don't pay full price if you don't have to! Watch for coupon codes, discounts, and sales as you make your Halloween preparations. It doesn't have to be a huge deal to be worthwhile - every little bit counts.

5. Stock Up At The End Of The Season
After Halloween night, most stores will offer significant discounts on their Halloween supplies. While this may not help you with your costumes (after all, it can be hard to judge next year's size for your growing children), it can be a great way to stock up on other Halloween supplies (decorations, spooky makeup, etc).

6. Shop In Bulk
If you are buying Halloween candy to pass out to trick-or-treaters on Halloween night, bulk stores will be your new best friend. They offer great prices that other stores with smaller quantities often cannot match. Shopping at bulk stores can also be helpful if you need to supply Halloween snacks for multiple people.

7. Get Creative
There is no rule that says kids have to carry plastic jack o'lanterns when they go trick-or-treating. Save a few bucks by encouraging your children to use alternatives such as old pillow cases, baskets, or even sand buckets. Your kids could also get creative and decorate paper bags.

8. Think Outside The Box (Store)
After Christmas, Halloween is the highest grossing commercial holiday. According to the National Retail Federation, total Halloween spending for 2016 is expected to reach $8.4 billion, with the average American spending $82.93 apiece. You don't have to be a part of this statistic! With a little creativity, you and your family can celebrate Halloween for far less than that. As an added benefit, making your own decorations and piecing your costumes together from scratch are great ways to make memories with your family. Saving money AND spending quality time with your children - sounds like a win-win to us!

Happy Halloween from your friends at the best bank at the Lake of the Ozarks!

First Bank of the Lake - Striving For Excellence

Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.