Forget about bloody fangs, hanging skeletons and cackling witches, if you want a real scare leading up to Halloween, try filling up your gas tank in California. An unprecedented spike in fuel prices has added more than 50 cents a gallon to the Golden State’s pump prices.
The AAA reported that gas prices hit a record of $4.67 per gallon on Monday morning, though market analysts say that number should fall in the coming weeks.
Still, for many families the damage is already done. Now, it’s a matter of cutting back in other areas in order to stop the bleeding. And, with Halloween right around the corner, finding ways to save is imperative.
As I mentioned in an earlier post, Halloween spending can be downright frightening. If you are not careful you can easily spend a ghoulish amount of money on costumes, candy, decorations and party favors.
If you are spooked about overspending in the weeks leading up to All Hallows’ Eve, consider the following tricks that can yield money-saving treats for the entire family:
*Visit GreenHalloween.org for a massive list of costume swaps taking place across North America from now through October 30th. Rather, than pay retail for new get-ups, trade what your kid wore last year for something that will fit him or her this year. Another option is to visit Freecycle.org to find super deals on Halloween-related items.
*Check out social buying sites that offer vouchers to use at costume shops, as well as free shipping codes. Also, sites like RetailMeNot.com are a mecca for coupons that take 30 to 50% off Halloween costumes and decorations at popular retailers nationwide.
*When purchasing candy, stay away from grocery stores, which tend to price treats higher than drug and warehouse stores. Timing is also key when purchasing Halloween candy. According to FatWallet.com, you can save up to 50% off if you wait until the week of Halloween to purchase candy. The day after Halloween, retailers slash candy prices by nearly 75% in order to rid their shelves of fun-sized goodies. Take advantage of these sales, especially the ones featuring chocolate, which freezes well. Those extra bars make great additions to school lunch bags. In addition, you can use them to create a slew of tasty desserts.
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