You can catch me every Sunday morning WTHR, Channel 13 (The Indianapolis NBC affiliate) sharing ways to save money and slay debt. Tune in at 7:45 AM tomorrow to hear ideas for saving money when it comes to reading your favorite books. Here’s a sneak peek of the tips I’ll share:
The second biggest money-making holiday of the year is almost upon us. Between the candy, the costumes, the decor, the pumpkins, and more, even the most mild reveler can end up broke. So how can you save big this year on the creepiest night of all, especially when it comes to your Halloween disguise? Here are some of the Queen’s favorite tips for saving money on costuming your little people or even yourself.
Look at what you’ve already got! It’s time to dig through the dress up, pull out the sports uniforms, and see what “big people” clothes can be turned into little people costumes. For instance, with a painted goatee, dad’s shirt and tie, and a hat, your little business man is ready to hit the candy trail. Or an apron, paired with a free Steak n Shake Hat (or a bakers hat that you can find at a party goods store), some flour on the face, a rolling pin, pans, and hot pads and you’ve got a baker. Think for ten minutes and I bet you will discover a way to dress the butcher and the candlestick maker, too. Household items make wonderful costumes, too! Have a pile of laundry in the corner? Let that household chore become a costume. Cut a hole in the basket and fill with dirty (or I guess it could be clean) laundry. Or instead, dig through the closet to find your old Twister Game. Turn the mat into a poncho, wear the spinner on her head, and paint a red dot on your face. Whether it’s a little mummy wrapped in TP or a robot that’s been cloaked in a cardboard box lined with aluminum foil, more than likely everything you need for a fun, original costume is already in your house. Common household items can be magically transformed. Plus, you have the honor of creating a memory with your family if you work together to brainstorm and then create an original costume.
Host a costume swap. I have wonderful news for you! This isn’t the first time many children have worn costumes. There are plenty of your friends and neighbors who have children who have an old costume hung in the closet or smashed in the drawer. It may not even be worn again. Hosting a costume swap might be a fantastic idea for your family. Network with friends who have kids of all ages. Invite them over to bring in costumes from years gone by. Everyone who attends, leaves with the same number of costumes that they came with and no one spends a dime! You even get to spend an evening together, too.
Hit the library or head to Pinterest. Magazines published in the month of October are filled with creative costume ideas to be made on the quick and cheap. Spend an hour leafing through the magazines at the library (so you don’t have the added cost of buying them) to get inexpensive, original, and cute ideas. Or take to Pinterest to explore homemade costumes. Be careful not to get hooked on a idea that requires a lot of extra work or raw materials not already in your possession though. Keep the end goal in mind. This costume will be worn once or maybe twice, more than likely for less than 24 hours. Don’t go overboard with your time or money for something that is temporary.
Buy next year’s costume this year. This tip is more helpful for Halloween 2014 than for this month’s festivities, but it’s always good to think ahead. Most stores clearance their costumes the day after Halloween for at least 50% off and then up to 90% off in the days following. Think ahead so you’re not stuck with the same problem next year. Clearance costumes are also wonderful for the dress up trunk.
Check out online stores like Oriental Trading and Kipp Toys. You are very likely to find a mask, hat, or accessory to pair with something you already have to keep your costs down. Discount sites like these have wonderful smaller items at a deeply discounted price. Shopping online can keep your eyes from wandering in the aisles of the big box or speciality costume stores, too. Just allow plenty of time for your item to ship before you need it.
If you do decide to buy in store, do your research. Do not, I repeat do NOT, hit the costume aisle with your kiddos in tow if you haven’t already done some research either in store or online to gage prices. That way, you can give them specific options or choices that are in your price range. Count on buying the farm if you go in there cold, Money Saving Lords & Ladies. Your children will latch onto the most expensive item in the aisle and one of you is certain to have a meltdown before all is said and done.
More than anything, spend time, not money on your kids this fall. We often think our children will “miss out” if they don’t have the perfect items to celebrate the season. However, a true investment in your child is measured in minutes not dollars and cents.
Gain inspiration to pay off debt! Check out Inspiration to Pay Off Debt: 30 Days of Encouragement from the Queen of Free
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We keep costumes forever. I have a large box of costumes and we just recycle every year. cousins, friends, it doesn’t matter as we are all having fun together!