Every year I decorate my house for Halloween with excitement I carve the pumpkin, string the goblin lights, hang the ghouls, set up the cemetery, and blow up the witch! It is the most wonderful time of the year for someone like me!
However, this year something ghastly happened to me as I walked down the Halloween aisle at Pier 1 looking for the next best thing! The prices spooked me and I ran from the store. It was an unexpected haunting neither my wallet nor I were prepared for as the calendar began to countdown the days to Halloween.
It is estimated the average American will spend eighty dollars on Halloween this year. I scratch my head at the number because a gullible creature like me spends more than that each year. I had to take a step back and re-evaluate the ghost that was stealing money from my wallet.
Find-out the scream that happens next! Come join the conversation at BlogHer about the cost Halloween! It might cause your hair to
turn white and force you to holler!
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bah humbug… oh, wrong holiday… It is crazy how much we spend
Hahaha! It really is! I did have that line at the end but took it out…But now it is snowing and I really feel like Scrooge!
I used to go all out and decorate the house for Halloween, too. Alas, I no longer live in a house – and decorating a condo isn’t nearly as easy. Every time I miss the decorations, though, I remind myself of all the money I am saving instead!
I could think of a few ways I would decorate it. But that is just the spook in me! But if you don’t have to buy decorations why bother…It makes sense to keep money in your pocket for the more important occasions.
It’s not quite as big here as it is there, Belle, but it’s growing….I try to get costumes which last for years and a pumpkin, a bag of sweets and leave it at that…
Sounds perfect! I’m cutting back this year to the same. But it is tempting to blow-up the witch she is just sitting in the dusty corner. I may as well put her to work
I miss the days when parents ( moms to be specific) would whip up their children’s costumes. Oh well, another great holiday taken over by, BOO!!… commercialism!!
Great post, Darcie!
Thank you! I know! We need to give commercialism a fright of it’s own! If there was only one way that we could prank it
I am rooting fer ya, Darcie…give commercialism the heave ho! haha…
Hahaha! Thank you! I’m destined to fail…;)
We never even have any trick-or-treaters, so I don’t spend a thing. Oh, other than the pumpkin I buy for Cayleigh.
Gosh!! I remember our first place only got ten trick or treaters and I was disappointed…Now in the area we live I would estimate over 250. But the most favorite part of the night for me is handing out the treats and seeing all of the creative costumes. I grumble but I am not a complete scrooge
After reading Andra Watkins’ comment, I realize that for many years now we’ve been seen less and less trick-or-treaters, and last year was the 1st year that we saw zero kids at the door. The year before we saw 1 group of kids, and the years before that TWO groups of kids. I quit this year. I am tired of eating all those bags of candy. lol!
We don’t get many trick or treaters in our neighborhood and Jack always buys it when it goes on sale after Halloween. Trouble is I sometimes get into it before Halloween rolls around again.
For costume stuff I go to the thrift store, like Value Village. That’s where I got my horned hat.
I love value village! It’s full of treasures! My kids have decided on their costumes and they are dipping into their allowance to get what they want…So it is a good compromise and teaches them the value of a dollar.
I enjoyed the post, and I even went over to that other place you talked about. Oh yes “BlogHer”. Anyway, I read your post twice and was going to say I’m a Halloween cheapskate on that site but could I log in or register. No. It just went round and round and round as I entered “countingducks” for the nth time so I’ve come back here exhausted to comment before I reach for a refreshing coffee
Thank you! I’m sorry about the frustration! There have been several issues with the site this week. I know they are working on it
I owe you a coffee with a shot of bailey’s for making the effort!
If you want to cut down on the expense and leave more money for Halloween, you can leave out the coffee
I’m cheap but no financial guru can tell me to skip the latte or the Bailey’s. Now that is just painful! So how many shots would you like in that coffee? A little whiskey too?
So true. We had a Halloween party at our house this year, so we spent a lot more than the average American!
Sadly, most of the money spent was probably on alcohol and not food!
Hahaha! Those are the best Halloween Parties! It sounds like the punch bowl might have been the best part