If you’re getting ready for the upcoming Halloween holiday, you’re probably already realizing how expensive it can get. Why is it that holidays tend to sneak up on us, even though they happen on the same day every year? The best way to ensure you don’t overspend is to budget ahead of time.

Many people who don’t budget start spending and then find themselves questioning if they’re spending too much, or if they could be spending more. So even if you’ve already made some purchases, it’s important to sit down and write out a budget. In general, I recommend sticking to under $50 for a couple and under $75 for a family.

If you’re on a budget, but still want to celebrate Halloween, make some small cuts in one area of your budget so you can free up some funds for costumes, candy, and decorations. The trick is to stick to your spending limit and practice discipline when making purchase decisions. Some other budget-friendly tips include: 

• Skip the decorations or only buy one decoration for the year 

• Make your own costumes or shop at thrift stores 

• Price shop for candy and use coupons 

• Track your spending using my budget Google sheet  

• Don’t buy candy if you won’t be passing it out to trick-or-treaters 

Let’s break it down with some sample budgets. 

Sample Budget for Couple: 

• Costumes - $20

• Candy - $15 (if you’re passing out candy)

• Decorations - $15 (optional) 

Sample Budget for a Family of 4:

• Costumes - $20 (kids only)

• Candy - $15 (if you’re passing out candy)

• Decorations - $20 (optional) 

• Events or School Functions - $20

Sample Budget for Individual: 

• Costume - $10

• Candy - $10 (if you’re passing out candy)

• Decorations - $0

So, how do you stick to these numbers? Budgeting means price shopping and getting thrifty. For candy, check Walmart, as they tend to have the cheapest candy options. For costumes and decorations, head to a thrift store or consignment shop. You’ll be surprised to see the prices as low as 99 cents for small décor and as little as $4 for children’s costumes. Make a game out of it to see how little you can spend, while still celebrating and having fun.

Happy Halloween!