5 Practical Ways To Cut Costs This Halloween Amid Inflation

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The inflation rate has eased considerably since peaking at 9.1% a few years ago, but prices on most consumer goods still haven’t come down. This means cash-strapped consumers continue to eye savings wherever they can.

This fall, many consumers aim to save money by either cutting back on their Halloween spending or eliminating it altogether.

Nearly one in five Americans (19%) will not celebrate Halloween this year, according to a new survey of 1,000 U.S. adults conducted by CouponFollow. Of these Americans, about three-quarters (72%) are cutting back due to inflation, while nearly half (46%) say they can’t afford it.

For those who do plan to spend money this Halloween, the average expenditure will be about $220, according to the CouponFollow survey. Here’s a breakdown of how the money will be spent:

• Costumes: $60
• Events or parties: $60
• Home and yard decorations: $55
• Candy: $40
• Other: $5

About one-fifth (19%) of respondents said they have a lower Halloween budget in 2025 compared to last year. So where will they look for savings?

Here are five practical ways to cut costs this Halloween amid stubbornly high inflation.

Buy Candy in Bulk

This savings strategy was cited by 27% of respondents in the CouponFollow survey. You can find bulk deals on Amazon as well as at discount chains like Walmart and warehouse clubs such as Costco and BJ’s Wholesale. According to an analysis of 44 common product categories conducted by LendingTree, buying in bulk can save an average of 27% compared with buying lower quantities.

Reuse Old Costumes and Decorations

One-quarter of survey respondents said they plan to cut Halloween costs this year by reusing old costumes and decorations. Based on the average spending this year, you can save more than $100 by not purchasing costumes or decorations.

Take a DIY Approach

Another way to cut Halloween costs is to make your own costumes, decorations and party favors. This savings strategy was cited by 15% of survey respondents. If you have materials around the house, you might not have to spend any money at all.

Skip Halloween Parties

The amount of money you save by skipping Halloween parties really depends on the party. If all you have to do is dress up and show up, then you can at least save $60 by not having to purchase a costume. If you’re expected to bring food or party favors, then you’ll save even more money by skipping the parties. This strategy was cited by 10% of survey respondents.

Buy Items Secondhand

Nearly one in 10 (9%) survey respondents said they plan to save money by purchasing Halloween costumes and other items secondhand. There are numerous options for buying secondhand goods, ranging from local thrift shops to online platforms like Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp and eBay.

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