These days, a brand new Halloween costume can cost upwards of $50.
But think about it. Most costumes are only worn one night out of the year.
One great way to save money on Halloween is to buy gently used costumes.
Holly Moraine, a mother with another baby on the way, doesn’t want to spend money on a Halloween costume her daughter will never wear again.
“We don’t pay full price for a one-night Halloween costume,” she said.
That’s why she visited resale shop Once Upon a Child. There, store manager Crystal Huckabee had stocked dozens of children’s costumes.
“You can get a barely-worn Halloween costume for a fraction of the cost,” she says.
She gave us a tour of some of the inventory in the store.
She is wearing a superhero costume.
“Spider-Man for $6.50,” she said. This was one third of the original price.
Once Upon a Child featured plenty of princesses, both Disney and non-Disney, including a $6.50 tangled dress.
For older kids, the store carries Stranger Things characters, including the dress worn by Eleven in the Netflix series, “and it was only $6.50,” Huckabee said. .
She even had a brand new outfit that she had never worn.
“You can buy a robot ninja for $10,” she said.
Other places to find discounted costumes
Whether it’s for kids or adults, smart shopping expert Trey Bodge recommends second-hand items.
“You can find very heavily discounted costumes at Goodwill Army and Salvation Army,” Bodge said.
If you have to buy new ones, prices will drop closer to Oct. 31, she says. “Halloween retailers are preparing to close and will set prices for everything to move on.”
“Shopping online can save you money, but be wary of accessories and shipping costs,” Bodge says.
If that’s the case, Bodge says, raid your closet.
“Think about what you can weave into this new costume,” she said.
Therefore, with a little effort, you can save money on costumes and avoid wasting money.
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