10 Things I Stopped Buying at Halloween to Save Money & Sanity

Halloween is supposed to be spooky—not stressful.

If you’ve ever found yourself knee-deep in dollar store decor, last-minute costume chaos, or candy overload, you’re not alone. This year, I’m reclaiming my time by skipping the stuff that doesn’t spark joy—or serve a real purpose.

Here are 10 things I stopped buying at Halloween that helped me save money, avoid burnout, and actually enjoy the season.

10 Things I Quit Buying at Halloween

And I’m not sorry!

1. So Much Candy

I’ve learned a lot about myself over the years. And one of those things is that if I buy candy early….I’ll just eat it. And then have to buy more. Waiting until a few days before to buy candy saves me money, and also looks out for my overall health.

2. New Costumes Every Year

If you can plan ahead, you’ll save $20-$100 depending on how many kids you have. Before you buy new, see if you can reuse old costumes, swap with friends, or shop at second hand stores.

3. Buying Pumpkins at the Pumpkin Patch

I used to think buying pumpkins there was part of the experience. But I can pay 1/4th of the price at Aldi for the same thing.

$20 X 5 pumpkins = $100 or $5 X 5 pumpkins = $25

Even if prices go up at the store, it’s a savings I just can’t ignore.

4. Plastic Trick-or-Treat Buckets

I recently walked into a friend’s house who had at least 10 Halloween buckets for 2 kids. She was feeling overwhelmed and trying to give them away!

Before you buy new, reuse old ones or repurpose a tote bag or pillowcase. My kids prefer the pillowcase as they get older anyway (it holds more candy).

5. Themed Halloween Drinks & Snacks

When you go to the store, you’ll see themed snacks for higher prices. It’s a goldmine for marketing.

Resist the urge to impulse buy and stick with your family’s homemade favorites. Give them your own spooky names—“witch’s brew” for juice or “monster bites” for snacks. You can also make really cute Halloween snacks that are crazy easy, without having to pay a premium.

6. Expensive Pre-Done Costumes

You can come up with extremely cute and clever costumes for half the price of anything at store. Not only will this be fun without the cost, but they’re so much more memorable too.

Couples costume example: Tourists – Grab a Hawaiian shirt, shorts, sunglasses, and a camera. Add a fanny pack, socks with sandals, and a map to complete the look.

7. Store-Bought Pumpkin Carving Kits

I was so happy to ditch these! Our kitchen tools are SO MUCH sturdier than the flimsy seasonal kits they sell in the store.

8. Themed Paper Plates & Napkins

Stick with plain orange. It’s cheaper and works just as well. Plus, you can reuse them for Thanksgiving or any other fall get together.

9. Tickets to Pricey Haunted Houses

Instead of dropping hundreds, look for free local events, school carnivals, or community trunk-or-treats instead.

10. Inflatable Halloween Decor

Skip the pricey blow-ups and decorate with DIY ghosts and painted pumpkins. These days, we like to put out just a few things the kids love or have made.

Related:

• Top 10 Ways to Save at Halloween
• Join the October Saving Challenge!
• 99 Productive Things To Do When Bored (That Don’t Cost Money!)
• Frugal Living Tips That Help You Thrive

Your turn!

What have you stopped buying at Halloween (and you’re not sorry!)? Let me know in the comments so we can all learn 🙂

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Don’t forget to save these ideas to Pinterest for later!