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halloween party ideas on a budget

Halloween on a Budget

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How to Save Money on Halloween Decorations, Costumes, and More

I’ve seen my share of skeletons, cobwebs, and ghost decorations haunting neighborhoods lately, and you know what that means—Halloween is almost here! It got me thinking, how can we enjoy this spooky season without frightening our wallets? Even if you’re practicing cost-cutting measures this year, there’s no reason Halloween can’t still be a blast. With a bit of creativity and imagination, you can have a fun and festive holiday without breaking the bank. Let’s look at some affordable ways to celebrate.

Affordable Costume Ideas

You don’t need to spend big bucks on costumes to have a memorable Halloween. Here are some budget-friendly ways to dress up this October.

Transform Existing Outfits Into Costumes

Get ready to raid your closet. Your kids might already have sports attire like basketball uniforms or ballet outfits that double as costumes. Adults can dig out a beach look with sarongs and floral shirts or turn boring office wear into a sleek spy look with just a pair of sunglasses and some attitude.

Don’t forget to check out thrift stores or even swap costumes with friends or neighbors. Swapping can give your kids or yourself a fresh look without having to buy new.

Use Household Items To Create DIY Costumes

You can also make unique costumes using items you already have at home. Create a robot costume from old boxes, or wear your spandex gym clothes with a pillowcase as a cape to transform into a superhero. Got old sheets? Turn them into classic ghost costumes or use them as a base for something more elaborate, like a toga for a Roman-themed outfit.

A few additional ideas: Craft animal ears and tails from construction paper or felt, or paint old clothes for a zombie look. These DIY ideas save money and let you flex your creative muscles while adding personal flair.

Fun, Economical Activities

You don’t need to buy expensive tickets to enjoy Halloween. Here are some activities you can do on a budget:

Farm Maze Adventure

Visit your local farm with friends or family to explore a corn maze. These fall attractions are often inexpensive and make for a fun day of adventure without the hefty theme park price tag. While you’re there, check out other inexpensive activities, like pumpkin patches or hayrides. Many farms offer these as part of a bundle deal, which adds to the value.

Mystery Game

Halloween is all about mystery, so why not host your own? Create a role-playing game where guests try to solve a fun whodunit or set up a treasure hunt with clues hidden around your house or yard. It’s a cost-effective way to keep everyone entertained. You can even download free or low-cost murder mystery games online if you want something more structured.

Alternatives to Apple Bobbing

Apple bobbing might be out due to health concerns, but there are creative alternatives! Try hanging apples from a string and challenging guests to take a bite with no hands, or set up a game of “Candy Catch,” where kids try to catch candy tossed to them—whatever they catch, they keep. If you want to mix it up, you could also do a “Witch Hat Ring Toss,” using simple supplies like cones for hats and glow stick rings for a fun, glowing twist.

Budget-Conscious Food Ideas

No Halloween is complete without snacks, but that doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. Here are some simple, healthier options to consider.

Serve Healthy Alternatives

Instead of a candy-overload, mix in some healthier, autumn-inspired treats. Bake a pumpkin pie, pop some lightly buttered popcorn, and offer baskets of nuts and apples. Another fun option is making mini caramel apple slices or banana ghosts with raisin eyes. These snacks are easy to prepare and affordable, plus they keep the festive spirit alive without overspending or going overboard on sugary treats.

Organize a Potluck

Cut food costs by organizing a Halloween potluck. Ask each guest to bring a dish or beverage, which can take the burden off a single host while offering a variety of dishes for everyone to enjoy. This also gives people a chance to showcase their own creativity with Halloween-themed dishes—think “Mummy Hotdogs,” “Spider Deviled Eggs,” or spooky, colored punch.

DIY Home or Office Decor

Setting the right mood with decorations doesn’t have to be pricey. Instead of splurging on store-bought items, consider these budget-friendly decoration ideas.

Get Creative with Homemade Decorations

Use orange and black construction paper to make banners and streamers, fluff up some cotton to create cobwebs, or set up a DIY wall for guests to draw and paint their own Halloween art. You could also visit your local secondhand store for pre-loved decorations that are cheaper and just as festive. And don’t forget nature! Pumpkins, dried cornstalks, and colorful leaves can all serve as beautiful, seasonal decor at little to no cost.

If you have old mason jars, turn them into candle holders by adding a tea light inside and painting the jar with Halloween images like pumpkins, bats, or ghosts. It’s a simple, crafty way to add ambiance without buying expensive decor.

Shared Transportation

Transportation costs can add up during Halloween, whether you’re driving kids around for trick-or-treating or hopping between parties.

Carpool or Ride-Share

Parents can coordinate carpooling with neighbors for trick-or-treating, while adults can ride-share to save on gas money and have more fun together. Sharing a ride makes Halloween both affordable and memorable.

If you live in a community, consider walking in groups. It’s safer, and you’ll save on gas while helping the environment a little too. Plus, it’s a fun way to meet neighbors and build community spirit.

Moving Forward

If credit card debt has you spooked this Halloween, you’re not alone. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but remember that support is available. Money Fit can help you get back on track—contact us today for a free credit counseling session and take the first step towards financial confidence.

Celebrating Halloween while on a budget can still be a blast if you approach it creatively. From DIY costumes and decorations to shared transportation, there are countless ways to make this holiday special without overspending. Embrace these ideas and start planning an affordable, memorable Halloween today!

About the Author

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Rick Munster

Rick Munster is a personal finance expert and author with over 21 years of experience in the credit counseling industry. He currently serves on the board of directors for the Financial Counseling Association of America and has written over 200 articles on personal finance. Rick's expertise has been recognized by several prominent online organizations, which have quoted him on issues related to credit counseling, debt management, and financial education. With more than 20 years of experience at Money Fit, a non-profit credit counseling organization, Rick has established himself as a trusted authority in the field of personal finance.
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Disclosure to Client for HUD Housing Counseling Services

Debt Reduction Services, Inc. and its financial education arm, Money Fit by DRS, offer the following housing counseling and educational services related to housing, personal finance, and bankruptcy certificates to consumers:
  • Housing Education Courses: DRS offers many online self-guided education programs classified as Financial, Budgeting, and Credit Workshops (FBC), Fair Housing Pre-Purchase Education Workshops (FHW), Homelessness Prevention Workshops (HMW), Non-Delinquency Post Purchase Workshops (NDW), Predatory Lending Education Workshops (PLW), Pre-purchase Homebuyer Education Workshops (PPW), and Rental Housing Workshops (RHW). These courses help participants increase their knowledge of and skills in personal finance, including home affordability, budgeting, and understanding the use of credit, as well as predatory lending, loan scams, and other fraud prevention topics, fair housing, rental topics, pre-purchase homebuyer education, non-delinquency post-purchase topics including home maintenance and/or financial management for homeowners, homeless prevention workshop, and other workshops not listed above relating to personal finance and housing. Course details are found below under “Housing Workshops.”
  • Home Equity Conversation Mortgage (HECM) Counseling (RMC): Via telephone and virtual platforms, we offer the required HECM counseling nationwide in addition to in-person counseling in Boise, Idaho. We also offer in-home counseling options in thirty counties across southern Idaho for an additional fee to cover our travel and additional staff time costs.
  • Home Maintenance and Financial Management for Homeowners (Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase) (FBC): Clients receive counseling and materials on the proper maintenance of their home and mortgage refinancing. Clients can find help and resources by phone, in our Boise office, or virtually on all topics related to stabilizing their long-term homeownership.
  • Services for Homeless Counseling (HMC): Clients receive phone, virtual, or in-person (Boise) counseling to evaluate their current housing needs, identify barriers to and goals for housing stability, establish a path to self-sufficiency, and connect with emergency shelters, income-appropriate housing, and/or other community resources (e.g. mental healthcare, job training, transportation, etc.).
  • Pre-Purchase Counseling (PPC): Clients receive counseling through the entire homebuying process. Assistance may involve creating a sustainable household budget, understanding mortgage options, building their credit rating, and putting together a realistic action plan to set and achieve homeownership goals.  Additionally, clients will receive materials and resources about home inspections and other homeownership topics relevant to successfully maintaining a home.
  • Rental Housing Counseling (RHC): Via phone, in-person appointments (Boise, ID), or virtual platforms, clients receive housing counseling relevant to renting, including rent subsidies from HUD or other government and assistance programs. Topics can also address issues and concerns having to do with fair housing, landlord and tenant laws, lease terms, rent delinquency, household budgeting, and finding alternate housing.
DRS also offers the following services:
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Through such services, DRS has established financial relationships with hundreds of banks, credit unions, and creditors such as American Express, Bank of America, Barclays, Capital One, Chase, Citibank, Credit One, Discover, Synchrony, US Bank, USAA, Wells Fargo, and others.

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The client is not obligated to receive, purchase or utilize any other services offered by DRS or its exclusive partners to receive financial education or housing counseling services. Alternatives: As a condition of our counseling services, in alignment with meeting our client services goals, and in compliance with HUD’s Housing Counseling Program requirements, we may provide information on alternative services, programs, and products available to you, if applicable and known by our staff. Alternative DMP services include negotiating better repayment terms directly with your individual creditors, paying your debts as agreed, or, in extreme cases, filing for personal bankruptcy. Alternative credit and education services can be found through MyMoney.gov or the Jump$tart Clearinghouse of online financial education resources. Housing counseling alternatives can be found through HUD at www.hud.gov/findacounselor.
Finally, you understand that you may revoke consent to these disclosures by notifying DRS in writing.
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Housing Counseling and Education Fee Schedule

 

Online Education Program Fees*

Homebuyer Education Course: $59 per participant

  • Self-paced course available here, our online housing counseling and education center. Certificates will be automatically generated upon completion of the course (approximately 6-8 hours)

Rental, Fair Housing, Predatory Lending / HOEPA, Post-Purchase (Non-delinquency post-purchase workshop, including home maintenance and/or financial management for homeowners) Online Workshops: $49 per participant

  • Approximately 1 hour each

Other Self-Guided Financial Literacy Webinars (e.g. credit, budgeting, homeless prevention, debt prevention): $0

One-on-one Counseling Fees*

Pre-purchase Homebuying Counseling, Rental Counseling, Post-purchase Ownership Maintenance and Financial Management: $75

  • Session by the hour

Reverse Mortgage/HECM Counseling with Required Certificate:

  • $200†

Credit Report Fee: Paid Directly by Client

*Fees for all but our online education courses and workshops can be paid online by debit card, credit card, or PayPal or in person by cash, check or money order to: “Debt Reduction Services, Inc.” Registration fees are non-refundable 24 hours or less before the start of an in-person course or workshop. Certificates are non-transferable

*Fees may be waived for households with income of 150% or less of that identified on the US Department of Health and Human Services Poverty Guidelines Page

†Home visit counseling is available in 30 southern Idaho counties for potential HECM borrowers at additional costs to cover our travel (IRS reimbursement rates apply) and staff time ($50 per hour or fraction there).

Close

Housing Counseling and Education Fee Schedule

 

Online Education Program Fees*

Homebuyer Education Course: $59 per participant

  • Self-paced course available here, our online housing counseling and education center. Certificates will be automatically generated upon completion of the course (approximately 6-8 hours)

Rental, Fair Housing, Predatory Lending / HOEPA, Post-Purchase (Non-delinquency post-purchase workshop, including home maintenance and/or financial management for homeowners) Online Workshops: $49 per participant

  • Approximately 1 hour each

Other Self-Guided Financial Literacy Webinars (e.g. credit, budgeting, homeless prevention, debt prevention): $0

One-on-one Counseling Fees*

Pre-purchase Homebuying Counseling, Rental Counseling, Post-purchase Ownership Maintenance and Financial Management: $75

  • Session by the hour

Reverse Mortgage/HECM Counseling with Required Certificate:

  • $200†

Credit Report Fee: Paid Directly by Client

*Fees for all but our online education courses and workshops can be paid online by debit card, credit card, or PayPal or in person by cash, check or money order to: “Debt Reduction Services, Inc.” Registration fees are non-refundable 24 hours or less before the start of an in-person course or workshop. Certificates are non-transferable

*Fees may be waived for households with income of 150% or less of that identified on the US Department of Health and Human Services Poverty Guidelines Page

†Home visit counseling is available in 30 southern Idaho counties for potential HECM borrowers at additional costs to cover our travel (IRS reimbursement rates apply) and staff time ($50 per hour or fraction there).