Frugal Halloween tips on WRAL-FM

I spoke with Bill & Lynda on WRAL-FM 101.5 on Monday morning about frugal Halloween ideas. Here are the topics we discussed including links.  You can hear the segment by clicking on the link in the box above for "Faye Prosser on Bill & Lynda in the Morning."

You know what the scariest thing about Halloween is for parents: the cost!

I know some parents who spend $50 or more on kids costumes every year!

Here are a few money saving tips to make Halloween expenses a little less frightening.

Hit the thrift store for actual Halloween costumes or pieces of clothing that you can make into a costume.

It’s all about matching coupons with sales and drug store rebate deals. All the drug stores have candy deals this week that match well with available coupons including some that we received in the Sunday coupons yesterday. Look for deals that offer a reward when you buy a certain dollar amount and then couple that store reward with your coupons.

Remember that non-chocolate candy is usually less expensive than chocolates. Don’t feel like you have to get enough candy for every kid to get a handful. They will get a TON of candy throughout the night. You don’t have to fill their bag.

If you don’t want to contribute to tooth decay, go with some fun non-candy giveaways like temporary tattoos, pencils, erasers, stickers, mini bubble bottles. Walgreens has a number of Halloween items like pencils, Halloween plastic tumblers and Halloween activity books that go as low as 8 for $1 with the coupons in their ad from Sunday.

Don’t forget – hit those Halloween clearance sales for chocolate candy – it freezes well and solid chocolate bars can reappear for holiday baking in November and December.

Stock up for next year after Halloween this year. Starting November 1, Halloween is marked down to 50% off and 1 to 2 weeks later usually goes to 75% off. This is a great time to buy some bigger items you wanted but didn’t want to pay full price for.