Budgeting for Halloween

Part 1

With so many of us on tight budgets, the very thought of Halloween can send shivers thru our wallets. The average family will spend over $100 on Halloween festivities.

Before you begin planning your Halloween gala, you must begin by developing a budget plan. Recall what you spent last year and commit to reducing that amount by 15% or more.

No need to fear my frugal friend, with the following list you can effectively economize to give your Halloween festivities a truly haunting appeal.

Gather the following items: cornstarch, water, cold cream, food coloring, cocoa powder, white corn syrup and eye shadow. As you may have already noted some of these items may already be in your home.

With the above items, you will be able to create all the make up you will need in order to complete your Halloween look. All at a fraction of the cost that your local Halloween Headquarters will charge.

No doubt, a good portion of your Halloween budget will be allotted toward food items. You should not be spending more than $40 for your treats/food for your Halloween celebration.

The menu need not be elaborate. Homemade pizza will cost under $15. Popcorn, not microwavable or the kind that pops in self-contained unit can be purchased for under $2. Drinks will run about $3, chips (2 bags) will be about $5, and allow $10 max for candy allotment.

Whenever possible shop discount stores and dollar stores, the key to finding the best items in those venues is to plan ahead and shop early. If you wait until the last minute, you may find your self at a store paying almost twice the amount as you would have at a discount store.

Another great way to save money is to shop for your Halloween decorations early, I mean very early. I wait until the very end of October to purchase Halloween decorations, which of course I put away until next year. With a bit of planning, I am able to save at least 50% off the regular price.

For more info on how to create the make up, or some quick inexpensive treat ideas please, see part 2 of this article.