Halloween is a time for thrills and scares but, if you’re not careful, it could be your finances giving you a fright this spooky season.
We know how difficult it can be to resist the urge to splash the cash on seasonal decorations, costumes and food but by making small changes where you can, you can cut costs without cutting back on the fun factor.
In this blog, we’ll let you know how you can have a spook-tacular Halloween whether you’re struggling with the rising cost of living or are just looking to reign in your spending where you can.
Get crafty
Halloween is a great excuse to deck your house out in the scariest decorations you can get your hands on but with the shops packed with everything from party food to inflatable pumpkins, it can be easy to get carried away and spend more than you bargained for.
However, if you love getting stuck into some good old-fashioned arts and crafts, you can have fun and scare your neighbours silly by getting creative with some supplies from your local supermarket and, more importantly, you’ll save yourself some extra money on buying pre-made decorations.
Whether it’s your turn to host a party this year or you just like to pull out all the stops, the internet is a great place to find quick and easy tutorials for all ages and abilities.
Reuse decorations
The shops tend to fill with spooky stock as soon as summer ends but by resisting the urge to splurge, you can prevent waste and get more bang for your buck at a time when the cost of almost everything has doubled.
For example, if you still have some of last year’s decorations stashed away somewhere, digging them out can ensure your house still looks spook-tacular on a small budget and, more often than not, your guests won’t even notice.
So, if you know you have some spooky decorations hidden away somewhere, you can make some super savings just by taking a trip to your garage or loft.
Have a movie night
Halloween is the perfect time to sit down and get stuck into the latest bone-chilling blockbuster with your friends or family.
But with a trip to the cinema no longer an option for most families during the current economic climate, having an at-home movie night can help you make some life-long memories without the added cost.
What’s more, if you already pay for a monthly streaming service, all you’ll need to worry about is the cost of spooky snacks to keep your guests fed and entertained in-between those hide-behind-your-hands moments.
Get your bake on
If you’re planning a spooky get-together this year, making your own sweet treats might require more time and effort but it can be a fun way to cut food costs and will add a personal touch to your event.
For further savings, asking your guests to bring their own hand-crafted creations can ensure everyone contributes to the evening and – quite literally – brings something different to the table.
This will cost less than ordering a huge takeaway with and will make you look like the host with the most.
Look for free events
This Halloween, protect your purse strings by scouring your local area for free or low-cost budget-friendly events.
This can be anything from visiting a pumpkin patch to taking your kids to a family-friendly festival and can be a great way to keep your little ones entertained without spending a fortune.
If you do decide to visit a paid attraction, bringing your own food can help you cut costs on overpriced snacks and avoid paying the kind of hair-rising prices that are the norm at these types of events.
