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The frugal Halloween plan, for next year

Halloween can be expensive. Costumes, food and activities cost a lot. When money is tight, you may wonder how you will give your children a good experience, and enjoy the time yourself. Even without children, there are Trick-or-Treater's expecting things from you.

Some of these tips may be helpful this year, but most are designed to help you get a head start on next Halloween. By thinking about next year now, it is possible to save a great deal of money.

  • Halloween, and the day after, you will notice discounts on Halloween items that are deeper than regular sales. This may go on for a week, but the stores are trying to get these items out so you will want to snag them as soon as possible. Look at stores in the Bangor area that you usually shop, such as K-Mart and Walmart, as well as the Halloween store on Stillwater Avenue. Be sure to shop the dollar stores.

  • Look at thrift stores as well, like the Goodwill and Hands of Hope.

  • Be sure to check online sales. Some stores have special deals only available on their website.

  • Decide ahead of time what you want to do next year, and shop accordingly. If you want to have a Halloween party, purchase the basic needs for it now, such as plates, games and decorations.

  • Want to decorate outside? Keep it to a minimum and buy what you need during an after Halloween shopping trip.

  • Purchase next year's Halloween candy at 50% off or more, and freeze it until next year. Non food items are another option, such as deeply discounted Halloween pencils and toys.

  • Decide ahead of time to make affordable homemade treats for the children you know. Look up recipes online for this.

  • Purchase costumes during the after holiday sales as well. If you can't find anything, then look at yard sales during the summer months.

  • Have the children use pillow cases for collecting candy in next year.

  • Decide to make a homemade treat for your child's school party next year. You can let the teacher know ahead of time what you will be able to bring. Or purchase items such as napkins on sale this year for next years party.

  • Research make-up recipes if a costume calls for it, to be prepared for next year.

  • As next October nears, start looking to the Bangor area for free activities for you and the family to enjoy that have an autumn/Halloween theme.

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, Bangor Frugal Living Examiner

Shannon L. Buck, author of the Living the Low-Income Life blog on Wordpress.com, is a single mother of two. As a freelance writer, Shannon has written on many aspects of living the frugal life over the years. Her tips and articles have been published on eHow.com and Yahoo! Contributor Network. ...

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