Halloween spending in 2025 is expected to reach $13.1 billion, up 13% from last year. The average household will spend $296 on costumes, candy, and decorations this season. Most of that money goes to things that get used once or thrown away after the holiday.
Here’s what you need to know: with chocolate prices at historical highs and retail markups on costumes hitting 500% or more, you’re paying way more than you should. The good news? You can still have a great Halloween spending under $100 instead of $296. That’s $196 saved just by making smarter choices.
Let’s look at the five biggest money traps this season and exactly how to avoid them while saving specific dollar amounts.
Money Haunt #1: Impulse Costume and Decor Purchases
What You’re Really Paying:
- Basic kids costume: $30-50 retail (manufacturing cost: under $5)
- Adult costume: $50-100 retail (manufacturing cost: $8-12)
- Plastic decorations: $20-80 per item (made for under $3)
- Total typical spending on costumes and decor: $150-200 per household
How Much You Can Save: $120-180
Shop thrift stores for costumes. A complete kids costume at Goodwill or similar stores runs $5-10 instead of $30-50. Adult costumes go for $10-15 instead of $50-100.
Make decorations as a family activity. Paper bats, painted pumpkins, and homemade spider webs cost under $10 in materials total. Compare that to $60-100 for store-bought plastic decorations that break after one season.
Buy next year’s costumes and decorations at post-Halloween sales. Those same items marked $40 in October cost $8-10 in November. Mark your calendar for November 1st and shop for next year.
Your Action Plan:
- Thrift store shopping: Save $40-80 on costumes
- DIY decorations: Save $50-90 on decor
- Post-Halloween sales for next year: Save $30-40
- Total savings: $120-180
Money Haunt #2: Failing to Budget for Seasonal Events
What You’re Really Paying:
- Haunted house tickets: $25-50 per person
- Fall festival entry: $15-30 per person
- Special dinners out: $50-100 per meal
- Party hosting: $100-200 in supplies
- Total typical spending on events: $200-300 per household
How Much You Can Save: $150-250
Write out every Halloween expense right now. Include candy, costumes, decorations, parties, events, and activities. Get a specific total dollar amount.
Pull that money from your budget as a separate category before you spend anything. Treat Halloween spending like a bill you have to pay. When the money’s gone, you’re done.
Free and low-cost alternatives deliver the same fun:
- Free community events instead of paid haunted houses: Save $100-200
- Potluck parties instead of fully hosted: Save $100-150
- Movie night at home instead of paid events: Save $50-100
Your Action Plan:
- Set hard spending limit before October ends
- Use free community events: Save $100-200
- Choose potluck over fully hosted: Save $100-150
- Total savings: $150-250
Money Haunt #3: Candy Splurges and Price Traps
What You’re Really Paying:
- Fun-size candy bags 2024 price: $8 per bag
- Same bags 2025 price: $10-12 per bag
- Average household buys: 4-6 bags
- Total candy spending: $40-72
- Actual need: Usually 1-2 bags ($10-24)
How Much You Can Save: $20-48
Count how many trick-or-treaters you actually get. Most neighborhoods see 20-40 kids. That’s one regular bag of candy, maybe two as backup.
Shop early when prices are better. Wait until the week before Halloween and you’ll pay 20-30% more for the same candy due to supply and demand.
Buy store brands instead of name brands for Halloween spending. The store-brand fun-size chocolate costs $7-8 per bag instead of $12 for the same amount of name-brand candy.
Your Action Plan:
- Buy based on actual need, not “just in case”: Save $10-20
- Shop early October instead of last week: Save $5-10
- Choose store brands over name brands: Save $5-8
- Skip one unnecessary bag: Save $10-12
- Total savings: $20-48
Money Haunt #4: Buy Now, Pay Later Schemes
What You’re Really Paying:
- $120 Halloween party supplies split into four $30 payments
- Plus Thanksgiving expenses in November
- Plus early holiday shopping in November-December
- Result: $200-400 in payment obligations after Halloween ends
- Those who use BNPL for seasonal purchases: 57% report regret and financial stress
How Much You Can Save: $0 in actual dollars, but avoid $200-400 in debt stress
If you can’t pay cash right now, you can’t afford it. Buy Now, Pay Later turns a one-time $120 purchase into months of payment juggling during the most expensive time of year.
Use only debit cards or cash for Halloween spending. When the money’s gone from your checking account, you’re done spending. No bills arriving in December. Zero payment dates to track. No stress.
Your Action Plan:
- Pay cash or debit only
- Save for Halloween in September if needed
- Never split seasonal purchases into payments
- Result: Avoid $200-400 in debt obligations during holiday season
Money Haunt #5: Overspending to Keep Up With Others
What You’re Really Paying:
- Elaborate yard display to match neighbors: $200-500
- Expensive party to match friends: $300-500
- Premium costumes because of peer pressure: $100-200
- Total spent on appearances: $600-1,200
- Actual value received: Temporary approval that fades by November
How Much You Can Save: $400-900
Decide right now that your budget matters more than appearances. Have a conversation with your family about what you can actually afford. Then stick to that plan.
Make memories with affordable activities:
- Carving pumpkins at home: $10-15 total instead of $50-100 at paid events
- Watching scary movies at home: $0 if you have streaming instead of $50-80 for theater
- Walking through decorated neighborhoods: $0 instead of $100-200 for ticketed events
Your Action Plan:
- Set your budget based on your finances, not others’ spending
- Choose affordable activities that create same memories: Save $150-300
- Skip elaborate displays you can’t afford: Save $200-500
- Buy appropriate costumes for your budget: Save $50-100
- Total savings: $400-900
Your Halloween Spending Plan
Here’s what you can actually save by avoiding these five money haunts:
Total Potential Savings:
- Costumes and decorations: $120-180
- Events and activities: $150-250
- Candy: $20-48
- Avoiding Buy Now, Pay Later debt: $200-400 stress avoidance
- Skipping keeping-up spending: $400-900
- Combined savings: $690-1,378
Your Action Steps:
- Set your total Halloween budget today (suggested: under $100)
- Shop thrift stores for costumes this week
- Buy only the candy you actually need
- Use cash or debit only
- Choose free or low-cost activities
- Make decorations as a family project
You can have a great Halloween for under $100 instead of the $296 average. That’s $196 saved, or up to $1,378 if you were planning to go all out. Put that saved money toward your emergency fund or next month’s bills instead of one night of expensive activities.
Halloween should be fun, not financially destructive. With specific budget limits and smart shopping, you keep the fun while keeping your money.
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Important Disclaimer: The information provided in this content is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. We are financial educators and coaches, not licensed financial advisors. Before making any financial decisions, please consult with a Certified Financial Advisor (CFA) or other qualified financial professional who can assess your individual situation.
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