With 16 days left to go til Halloween, some people are still scrambling for costume and decoration ideas. Here are 6 tips for getting into the Halloween spirit without breaking your budget:

Tip #1

The first tip comes from blogger Kendal Perez of HassleFreeSavings.com: Off-price retailers like T.J. Maxx, Ross, or Marshalls present spooky decor in the housewares section. You can even find costume accessories and trick-or-treat bags from these retailers.

Tip #2

If you want to decorate on the cheap, there’s no better place to shop than the Dollar Store. In addition to skeleton cutouts and pumpkin lanterns, you can stock up on Halloween decorations and toys for parties and goody bags.

Tip #3

DIY decorating: If you want some great ideas on Halloween decor look no further than the collecting website Pinterest. There you can get ideas on inexpensive and creative decorations along with instructions on how to create them.

Tip #4

To save on costumes explore your own closet, basement, or attic. You can re-purpose existing clothing and accessorize with inexpensive extras like costume jewelry, masks, and/or makeup.

Tip #5

Reuse or swap costumes. Try consignment shops for gently used children or adult costumes. You may even be able to exchange your old costume from last year for credit towards your new purchase. Think about swapping with friends or family for no-cost costume options.

Tip #6

Wait until the last minute to pick up Halloween candy. Though the best prices can be found after the 31st, some supermarkets start marking down candy a few days before Halloween to clear out inventory; sometimes it pays to procrastinate.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!