Halloween may be the one time of year when dressing up like you’re someone or something else is considered not only acceptable but encouraged and appreciated!
Suppose you’re going out to Halloween parties, trick-or-treating with your kids, or just attending an informal get-together in your spooky costume.
In that case, the most important thing on your mind will likely be how to save money on your costume without sacrificing quality. It’s possible, and here are 8 tips to make sure you don’t go overboard with your costume expenses this year.
DIY Costumes are Cheaper
Halloween costumes can be pricey, but that doesn’t mean you have to pay full price. One way to save is by creating a DIY costume. It’s easy and cheaper than buying one from the store.
Plus, it will give you more of a reason to celebrate the holiday. Another way to save is with promotional codes. Websites like Groupon are offering discounts for select items and stores (i.e., Walmart). Remember, it’s never too early to start planning for next year’s festivities.
Know When Sales Start
You can start looking for deals as soon as the summer sales end to get a jump start on your shopping. Stores will typically put their costumes out after Labor Day, so if you keep an eye out, you might be able to score a bargain before it’s too late. Another way to find better deals is by looking at previous years’ costumes.
The most popular ones will be sold out quickly, but there might be some oldies that are still available. You could also try searching for discounted costumes from third-party vendors who sell them at lower prices than the original retailers.
Shop with Coupons and Promo Codes
Finding coupons and promo codes is the easiest way to save money. Sign up for the mailing list of stores you like, and they’ll send you coupons in the mail or email. You can also search online for coupons before shopping.
Sites like Retail Me Not have daily coupon listings that you can search by store, brand, or product category. They also give discounts to cash-strapped shoppers who are looking for bargains. If you sign up with these sites, be sure to check out their mobile app (RetailMeNot App) too.
A lot of stores are running promotions this week. So if you find an item cheaper somewhere else during the sale, try contacting them via email or phone call about price matching and see if they will match it at a lower price during the sale week only.
If you’re buying a more expensive item like a costume (which usually comes with accessories), try negotiating with the company about price matching. Often they will match it since it’s something that may not be available again next season.
Consider Second-hand Options
You may think that buying a new costume will be the most cost-effective way, but think again. Buying second-hand is a great option that can help you save some cash. Thrift stores are a great place to find quality costumes for an even better price. If you can’t find what you’re looking for at the store, consider checking out Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace for local sellers.
In addition to saving money, this is a green option as you won’t have waste materials. Check the sizing: Get the measurements of whoever it is who will be wearing the costume before ordering. The best way to measure? Find something that fits them now and take measurements from there so they don’t have to try it on in-store and risk getting stuck with something too big or small.
Shop off-season: It’s not just about shopping for your costume. When you shop for things like accessories, make sure you check both online and in stores around Halloween time when everything goes on sale!
Take Advantage of Halloween Flash Sales and Deals
Halloween Flash sales are always an excellent opportunity to find a discounted price, but they’re also common when it comes to Halloween costumes. From Black Friday until the end of November, there are tons of stores that offer up great deals on their costumes.
You may even be able to find some cute costumes for kids or those who want a more modest look. And if you can’t find what you’re looking for in-store, there’s always the option of shopping online.
Check Craigslist for the Best Deals
Check Craigslist for the best stores that are trying to get rid of their old inventory. This is often a great place to find last season’s costumes at a fraction of the price. You can also ask the store if they have any leftovers from the previous season and what they would charge for them. A lot of times, you might be able to get an awesome deal like that, so always ask first before you purchase anything new.
If there aren’t any leftover costumes from last season, then check out thrift shops. You never know what treasures you might find! A lot of times people donate clothes or items that are in good condition but don’t fit them anymore, or they’ve grown out of them. You can find some awesome deals by checking these places out too.
Buy Accessories Separately
Halloween costumes can be very expensive, but they don’t have to be. Consider buying the accessories separately and making your costume. This way, you can make it as elaborate or simple as you want, depending on how much time you’re willing to spend making it and what materials you have available.
Conclusion
While it is not always easy to save on your shopping, we hope that our tips help you do just that! It can be especially beneficial to look at the brands you like.
Some stores will pass along coupons with big sales, and of course, the overall process of using coupons is relatively simple. Saving money can boost your spirits in the long run. So before you decide to splurge on a costume, consider some other ideas!