Because I run so many different sites it helps to have a team of writers that assist me with fresh and relevant content for all of you! This post is brought to you by Lindsay Z.! She is a good friend, and the wife of my blogging Partner Drew Z. You will see a mix and match of articles coming from her, Drew, and myself from time to time. While most of their articles will be focused on saving money, most of mine will be focused on making more money. Please welcome Lindsay in the comments and your thoughts on a festive Halloween on a tight budget.

With Halloween fast approaching its time to buy the kids the $50 costume, pick out your adult costume online for another $60, stock up on candy from a big box store, and decorate your house with throw away cobwebs and paper skeletons right? Wrong! Halloween can be a very costly holiday if you are into it like me, but over the years I have found some great ways to save money and be just as spooky as I was in years past spending a fortune on junk for once a year.

My husband never knows what he wants to be for Halloween until it’s like the day before the party we are supposed to attend. I on the other hand have things planned out in my head, and I know what I want to dress up as a month before. When you plan for an event you can save so much money! By not doing things on the fly you can pick up accessories here and there when you see them, and take time in creating your costume from scratch. Entering costume contests, I have won way more money than I have spent on costumes in the past. Buying different odds and ends after Halloween for next year is a great way to save money. Wigs, makeup, and accessories will last forever so buying them for the next year now at a 75% discount can save you so much money.

Another great way to save money is to buy your candy the day of Halloween at a grocery store or dollar store. Buying those huge bags of candy at a big box store can be very expensive and who cares if you have the best candy on the street?

Decorations don’t have to be expensive either, just make your own spooky ghost from old sheets and buy  orange pumpkin faced leave bags to fill for decoration. Remember to reuse your plastic skeletons every year, and don’t waste your time or money buying bags and bags of fake cobwebs (they are ugly and a pain to clean up).

So if you are crafty enough to make your own costume, find some great deals on candy, and reuse your decorations each year, Halloween doesn’t have to be an expensive holiday. Remember to go through your closet for clothes that could make a good costume and trade costumes with your friends every few years if you are going to different parties.