How to Save Money on Halloween Costumes for Adults and Kids

Feature Image Credit: FLickr

If you’re gearing up to start shopping for Halloween costumes like most of us, be sure to check out these tips from Anum first. 

Fall is here and the festivities are right around the corner. It’s the season of apple picking, hayrides and yep, you guessed it, Halloween. Children with visions of candy will be knocking at your door soon.

We don’t have kids, so we’re planning on dressing up in 30s vintage style clothes and going to watch the Glenn Miller Orchestra for the Hallo-weekend 😀 But Halloween plans aside, everyone knows that costumes are the most important part of any Halloween-related affair.

However, paying for costumes can be just as scary as haunted hayrides. If you’re dreading spending a bunch of your hard earned money on a costume this year, don’t fret. Here’s how you can save money and treat yourself to the costume you and your kids are looking for:

1. Go to Thrift Stores

Shopping at thrift stores can be a hit or miss. Try to find a store that sells new and/or used costumes. To accomplish this, knowing where the best thrift stores in your area are is important.

Since department stores donate leftovers from overstocking to thrift stores, that means it’s possible to find a costume that’s brand new, with the tags still on it — and the best part is you will pay a much lower price. I found my shoulder-padded vintage dress for $15 at a thrift store, so I really lucked out.

If you can’t find a new costume, consider buying one used. It’s most likely that the costume was only worn once.

2. Shop End of the Season Clearance

If you’re a shopper who loves the best deals, then you know clearance has some amazing finds after the season is over. Some of the coolest Halloween costumes go on sale just after Halloween ends. So, if you’re looking to save money, grab the costumes after the season.

Granted, that may not help you this year, but you can store your finds in a bin and keep them away in a closet or your basement for the following year. You’ll have a brand new costume to wear without breaking the bank.

3. Make Your Own

It can be fun to make your own costume, and you can be sure it’s unique. If you’re stumped for ideas, there are some pretty creative adult costumes that are super easy to make!

The best part is you don’t have to spend a bunch of money. If your costume calls for a blue shirt, then find that blue shirt at a thrift store. It can be easy to find the bits and pieces you need to assemble your costume for cheap.

If your kid wants a specific costume, google the DIY. You can find great costumes for kids that can be made for a much better price than buying the costume already put together.

4. Sell Last Year’s Costume

Never going to wear your costume again? Make some money and sell the costumes you’ve already worn in previous years. While you’re at it, have a yard sale and get rid of other things collecting dust in the closet, too.

Selling your costume online is always on option, too. Check out sites like eBay and Craigslist to see what other sellers are doing and what prices costumes are selling for.

5. Use Hand-Me-Downs

If you have a family, then you know kids constantly outgrow their costumes. If you have more than one child, save their costume until the younger one can fit into it. This will save you from buying multiple costumes each year.

If you don’t have a big family of your own, turn to extended family. Aunts, uncles, and cousins are a good source for used items. You can probably get your costume for free from your family members — and even give them costumes you won’t be using in return.

6. Trade With Friends

Like getting costumes from your family, you can also trade with your friends. If your friends, or their kids, had a killer costume last year, ask them if they’ll take yours for a swap.

Trading is the best way to have a new costume without spending money, and your kids will love it! There’s nothing cooler than sharing things with friends.

Go All out Without Draining Your Wallet

There are a lot of simple ways to save money, especially on costumes. Don’t break the bank trying to get a great one.

You have nothing to fear this Halloween when it comes to spending money — the costumes you choose, on the other hand, might cause a fright!

 

Do you have your Halloween costume yet? Do you ever use any of these savings hacks?