However you are celebrating Halloween this year, you don’t have to ghost your budget to have fun. Between all of the decorations, candy, and costumes, it can seem impossible to stay within your means. As you go down the Halloween aisle and inspect all the witch, vampire, and pirate costumes, the price tag can be scary. With the price of costumes averaging $40.00, it can seem like an exorbitant expense. Don’t give up on your amazing costume idea! Here are some tricks to keep you within budget and looking great.    

Start the hunt for the perfect costume at home in your closet!

One of your best assets to save during Halloween is the leftover costumes and accessories you have from years past. You can revamp that old vampire costume by adding in a new mask or changing up the way you do your hair. You can take that old James Bond costume from “shaken not stirred” to Gatsby’s “old sport” with slicked back hair and a pinkie ring. The slightest change in a costume can take it from old to new in an instant. If you can’t find anything you like in your closet, try a friends. Get all your friends to pull together and bring costumes that they have worn in the past. Then, swap your older costumes amongst each other for this years costume. You can even make a little party out of it.

Head down to the thrift or consignment stores for some great deals!

Thrift and consignment stores have some of the best deals on items you may need for your spooky outfit. Plus, you will not have to sacrifice on options or quality to get these great prices. Most Halloween costumes are worn once and donated or sold to these stores so there may be some slight wear and tear but nothing that takes away from the costume. Thrift and consignment stores are great spots to get clothes that you can tear up or look like they are from an previous time period for a “do it yourself” costume.     

Look beyond the Halloween costume aisle at your local stores!

If you do head to your local store for Halloween supplies, don’t box yourself into one section. The Halloween aisle may be decked out with some great costumes and accessories but they are marked up because of the holiday. Take a step outside that aisle and find items you may use not just for your Halloween costume.

For example, a lot of the Halloween makeup you can only use for that night and it is hard to keep fresh for the next time you go out on the town as a ghoul. You should skim the makeup aisle of the store to find affordable and multiuse items. Maybe your idea of a perfect costume is being Snow White. Head to the clothes section for red, blue, and gold items to mimic the iconic outfit of the princess. As you look through the shop, make sure to be flexible and creative as you collect items for your costume.   

Before you get your Halloween costume, make sure to think about these tips so you stay in budget.  Looking to budget for next year? Open a Velocity Community Credit Union You Name It Account. Put aside money in this short term saving account for your Halloween celebrations and be ready for your next spooky costume.

Source: Money Crashers