Are you feeling haunted by a Halloween deadline? Don't worry; there is still plenty of time to stock up on extra candy and costume accessories for the big night.
Many shoppers, like Charlotte Waller, find themselves scrambling in the final days.
"I'm very guilty of that. I'm looking for costumes right now," she said.
However, that is not necessarily bad.
Save now on candy
If you are hurrying to the store for an extra bag of treats, be aware that supplies are running low.
Smart shopping expert Trae Bodge says, "You may not find that special candy that you personally love. Favorites of your family, for example."
But she says you're much more likely to snag a deal right now. We spotted several buy-one-get-one-free promotions on candy this week, as stores begin to clear out their unsold inventory.
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By Thursday afternoon, prices are expected to decrease further.
"The prices on candy will drop dramatically as you get very close to Halloween," Bodge said.
Save now on decorations
The same goes for spine-chilling Halloween decorations. The post-Halloween markdowns are already beginning.
While most of the giant yard ghouls at big box stores are sold out, Lowe's currently has remaining items discounted by up to 75%, while Home Depot is offering discounts of up to 50%. YouTuber Jade the Libra suggests that if you can wait, Halloween decor will soon be available at discounts ranging from 80% to 90%.
"A day or even a week after Halloween, sometimes a week after Halloween, they're just trying to get rid of it," she said.
Save now on costumes
Costumes can get tricky this late, especially if you're looking for something trendy. However, if you're flexible about your options, like mom Holly Moran, you may discover that prices have already been reduced at used clothing stores like Goodwill or Once Upon a Child.
"We never pay full prices for Halloween costumes for one night," she said.
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For the greatest savings on costumes and decorations, Jade the Libra suggests you:
- Shop secondhand
- Reuse something from last year
- Use supplies you have at home
"If you're creative and you're good at putting things together, it's a way to have a less expensive piece that's unique," she said. "You can't find it anywhere because you made it.”
And remember, she says, on Friday, everything related to Halloween will be "slashed" to rock-bottom prices, allowing you to purchase something fresh for next year.
That way you don’t waste your money.
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