Halloween

Ask the Readers: What Do You Do With Leftover Halloween Candy?

Ashley Jacobs — Tue, 29 Oct 2019 08:30:09 +0000

Depending on how you feel about sweets (and on any dietary restrictions you may have), leftover Halloween candy be either a blessing or a curse. Ideally, you would've picked up just enough candy for all the trick-or-treaters in your neighborhood...but how often does that actually happen? If you can't just eat all of it, you'll need to find something to do with the leftover candy.

What do you do with leftover Halloween candy? Do you use the candy to make other treats -- and if so, what treats? Do you take any steps to avoid having too much candy in the first place?

Tell us what you do with leftover Halloween candy and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

Win 1 of 3 $20 Amazon Gift Cards

We're doing three giveaways — here's how you can win:

Follow us on Twitter
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Contest ends Monday, November 4th at 11:59 p.m. Pacific. Winners will be announced after November 4th on the original post. Winners will also be contacted via email.
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You must be 18 and U.S. resident to enter. Void where prohibited.

Good Luck!

Tell us what you do with leftover Halloween candy and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

This article is from Ashley Jacobs of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Ask the Readers: What Are Your Tips for a Frugal Halloween?

Ashley Jacobs — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 08:30:05 +0000

You don't have to pay an arm and a leg to celebrate Halloween in style. A little planning and some creativity can help you save lots on everything from candy, to costumes, to spooky decorations inside and outside your home.

What are your tips for a frugal Halloween? How do you save money on candy, costumes, and decorations? Do you keep a budget for Halloween expenses?

Tell us your tips for a frugal Halloween and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

Win 1 of 3 $20 Amazon Gift Cards

We're doing three giveaways — here's how you can win:

Follow us on Twitter
Tweet about our giveaway for an entry.
Visit our Facebook page for an entry.
Follow @janetonthemoney on Twitter.

Use our Rafflecopter widget for your chance to win one of three Amazon Gift Cards:

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Giveaway Rules:

Contest ends Monday, October 28th at 11:59 p.m. Pacific. Winners will be announced after October 28th on the original post. Winners will also be contacted via email.
This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered, or associated with Facebook or Twitter.
You must be 18 and U.S. resident to enter. Void where prohibited.

Good Luck!

Tell us your tips for a frugal Halloween and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

This article is from Ashley Jacobs of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Ask the Readers: What Is Your Favorite Last-Minute Costume Idea?

Ashley Jacobs — Tue, 23 Oct 2018 08:30:09 +0000

Editor's Note: Congratulations to Suzanne, Avigale, and John for winning this week's contest!

You hadn't planned for it, but suddenly, out of nowhere, you are engulfed by the urge...the urge to go to a Halloween event! You don't have a costume, but that's okay — there are plenty of creative, frugal costumes that anyone can whip up in a jiffy.

What is your favorite last-minute costume idea? What supplies would you need to put it together? Will you be dressing up for Halloween this year?

Tell us about your favorite last-minute costume idea and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

Win 1 of 3 $20 Amazon Gift Cards

We're doing three giveaways — here's how you can win:

Follow us on Twitter
Tweet about our giveaway for an entry.
Visit our Facebook page for an entry.

Use our Rafflecopter widget for your chance to win one of three Amazon Gift Cards:

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Giveaway Rules:

Contest ends Monday, October 29th at 11:59 p.m. Pacific. Winners will be announced after October 29th on the original post. Winners will also be contacted via email.
This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered, or associated with Facebook or Twitter.
You must be 18 and U.S. resident to enter. Void where prohibited.

Good Luck!

Tell us about your favorite last-minute costume idea and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

This article is from Ashley Jacobs of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Ask the Readers: How Do You Save Money on Halloween?

Ashley Jacobs — Tue, 02 Oct 2018 08:30:10 +0000

Editor's Note: Congratulations to Natasha, Heather, and Selene for winning this week's contest!

Halloween is a fun holiday for many people, but all the costume parties, candy, and spooky decorations can get expensive unless you get creative.

How do you save money on Halloween? Will you be DIY-ing anything for Halloween? What's your best tip for a fun (but frugal) Halloween?

Tell us how you save money on Halloween and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

Win 1 of 3 $20 Amazon Gift Cards

We're doing three giveaways — here's how you can win:

Follow us on Twitter
Tweet about our giveaway for an entry.
Visit our Facebook page for an entry.

Use our Rafflecopter widget for your chance to win one of three Amazon Gift Cards:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway Rules:

Contest ends Monday, October 8th at 11:59 p.m. Pacific. Winners will be announced after October 8th on the original post. Winners will also be contacted via email.
This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered, or associated with Facebook or Twitter.
You must be 18 and U.S. resident to enter. Void where prohibited.

Good Luck!

Tell us how you save money on Halloween and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

This article is from Ashley Jacobs of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Ask the Readers: What Do You Enjoy Most About Halloween?

Ashley Jacobs — Tue, 24 Oct 2017 08:30:06 +0000

Editor's Note: Congratulations to Christina, Stella, and Jamie for winning this week's contest!

Halloween is just around the corner! While it isn't as big a holiday as, say, Christmas or Thanksgiving, it's still a fun time for both kids and adults — especially if you like to dress up or indulge in your creepy side.

What do you enjoy most about Halloween? Do you have any Halloween traditions that you keep up every year? What are you looking forward to most this Halloween?

Tell us what you enjoy most about Halloween and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

Win 1 of 3 $20 Amazon Gift Cards

We're doing three giveaways — here's how you can win:

Follow us on Twitter
Follow our Executive Editor Janet Alvarez on Twitter
Tweet about our giveaway for an entry.
Visit our Facebook page for an entry.

Use our Rafflecopter widget for your chance to win one of three Amazon Gift Cards:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway Rules:

Contest ends Monday, October 30th at 11:59 p.m. Pacific. Winners will be announced after October 30th on the original post. Winners will also be contacted via email.
This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered, or associated with Facebook or Twitter.
You must be 18 and U.S. resident to enter. Void where prohibited.

Good Luck!

Tell us what you enjoy most about Halloween and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

This article is from Ashley Jacobs of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

9 Halloween Treats You Can Make in an Instant Pot

Carrie Kirby — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 09:00:06 +0000

Like virtually every other home cook in America, I recently got an Instant Pot, a brand of electric pressure cooker and slow cooker combo that has become a word-of-mouth hit. While I use it for everyday meals, the electric pressure cooker has a feature that makes it particularly indispensable for holiday use: You can set it and forget it. On past Halloweens, whether I'm cooking the pre-trick-or-treat supper or heating up apple cider, I have found myself running between the stovetop, the front door, or my kids' bedrooms where they are getting into their costumes. This year, I know I will set up whatever I'm making in the instant pot and then walk away to deal with everything else.

The only question is, what to make? Fortunately, every food blogger and her sister has an idea for spooky Halloween treats to make this year. (See also: 11 Instant Pot Meals That Prove Autumn Is the Best Season)

1. Apple cinnamon pull-apart bread

Start the sugar overload first thing in the morning of October 31 with this gooey, fragrant version of apple cinnamon rolls. Hey, at least the kids will have some fruit before school!

2. One-trick chili

Especially if the weather is blustery, I like to fortify my trick-or-treaters before they go out. Chili is a favorite for me anyway, and since there are jack-o'-lanterns everywhere, why not throw some healthy squash into the caldron tonight with this squash and turkey chili recipe? I serve mine with a side of mummy dogs, made in the oven.

3. Hot apple cider

You can always pour store-bought cider or apple juice into the instant pot and set it for a few minutes to get it piping hot, but since it can work unsupervised, why not get more ambitious and set up an amazing pot of fresh apple cider just as your trick-or-treaters are heading out? A few hours later, they'll come home to a house that smells amazing. I'll be adding bourbon to my mug. (See also: 9 Delicious Reasons Cider Is Our Favorite Fall Treat)

4. Hot cocoa

If you were out escorting trick-or-treaters and didn't have time to prepare anything to warm them up on their return, you can use the pot to produce creamy, not-too-sugary hot cocoa in just six minutes, by following this YouTube tutorial.

5. Spider web or pumpkin cheesecake

Cheesecake is one of the dishes that made the instant pot famous. To impress at any Halloween gathering, try this adorable cheesecake decorated with a dulce de leche spider web design.

If that's not Halloween-y enough, instead of following that plain cheesecake recipe, you could also make a pumpkin-flavored cheesecake to top with the same dulce de leche web. You can even make the dulce de leche in the instant pot. Or if the spider web looks too fussy for you, just chop up some candy bars for a trick-or-treat-themed topping. Perhaps best of all for parties, you can make the same recipes into individual cheesecakes by placing them inside Mason jars in the instant pot. But beware! Cheesecakes need 12 hours to set in the refrigerator, so start this recipe the day before you want to serve it.

6. Pumpkin pudding

Need a gluten-free dessert option? This elegant dessert is only a pudding in the sense of an English Christmas pudding, meaning that it's more of a cake. It's also not terribly sweet, making it a nice option for pre-trick-or-treat potlucks when everyone's about to eat a bunch of candy.

7. Oreo pops

If you have some kids in your life who you like to give a special treat to on Halloween, this fits the bill. Use the instant pot to melt chocolate, then dip Oreos on lollipop sticks to create spiders, monsters, or skeleton treats.

8. Apple crisp in a pot

Pies are nice and all, but they tend to take awhile to bake, and this apple crisp recipe cooks in just eight minutes. Serve it with vanilla ice cream for dessert, and save some to have with a dollop of yogurt for a morning-after breakfast. With Halloween falling on a school night again, you'll be grateful you saved something to put on the breakfast table.

9. Pumpkin Bundt cake

With pureed pumpkin, a banana, and Greek yogurt on the ingredient list, I'm gonna add this pumpkin Bundt cake recipe to the healthy morning-after breakfast category. Just pretend those chocolate chips are spiders and the calories from them won't count. Or, if that thought terrifies you to your very core, embrace the chocolate chips, because those are always better than spiders.

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This article is from Carrie Kirby of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

How to Use the Holidays to Teach Kids About Money

Emily Guy Birken — Mon, 09 Oct 2017 08:30:08 +0000

My kids love the holidays. They plan their Halloween costumes as early as March; they ask to help make pumpkin pie the moment there's even a hint of chill in the air; and they have Hanukkah wish lists going nearly year-round.

My husband and I get a kick out of their enthusiasm. It helps us remember the holiday magic we felt as children. But in addition to being fun and meaningful traditions, holidays also offer parents the opportunity to teach their kids about money.

Before this year's holiday season kicks into high gear, consider using the occasions to teach your kids the following lessons about managing money:

Halloween

Your kids' favorite candy-based holiday provides you with several ways to teach important money management skills.

Costume budgeting

Whether you are footing the bill for your child's costume or you are asking them to use their own money, start by setting a dollar limit on the amount they can spend and offer to help them shop around. These limits will help your child understand the trade-offs they will have to make to stay within a budget.

For instance, your daughter might find that the Wonder Woman costume at the local party store would blow her budget — but she could save money by stenciling Diana Prince's WW logo on a red T-shirt she already owns and adding white star stickers to a pair of blue shorts or a blue skirt. Recognizing that she could spend either money or time is an important part of learning to budget. (See also: 20 Simple and Cheap Halloween Costumes for Kids)

Candy negotiations

Not every candy in your child's trick-or-treat bag can be a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup or a Snickers. There's bound to be some candy corn, Good & Plenty, or even just Dum Dums that your kids aren't particularly interested in. You can help them to learn the value of negotiation by fostering candy exchanges.

After they've finished with trick-or-treating, encourage your kids to trade with each other. These candy swaps can help your kids figure out just how much they value coveted candy. Is another Mars Bar worth three Twizzlers? Just how many Tootsie Rolls are equivalent to a Blow Pop? This kind of negotiation can help your kids learn how to compromise and determine what they value.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time for family, but it can also provide your kids with an excellent opportunity to learn about the importance of tracking your expenses.

Track spending

The average household spent $342 over Thanksgiving weekend in 2016, according to Statistic Brain. You can involve your kids in your Thanksgiving expenditures by asking them to keep a running tally of your spending for the holiday.

Save your receipts from any Thanksgiving-related expenditures — everything from your purchase of pumpkin pie fixings, to the gas station fill-up on the way to Grandma's house, to the 75 percent off fitness tracker you bought for Aunt Sue on Black Friday. Hand over the receipts to your child so they can keep careful track of just how much Thanksgiving will cost you this year.

Not only will this exercise in tracking your household spending help your kids to practice their math skills, but it will also help them see just how quickly expenses can add up.

Christmas and Hanukkah

Kids get understandably excited about the gift aspect of Christmas and Hanukkah, but these holidays are also a perfect opportunity to teach them how to manage their money.

Gift budgeting

It's so easy to go overboard when buying gifts for loved ones, and it's important for children to learn that you can give presents without breaking the bank. Even very young children can help you to create a list of everyone you want to give a present to. From there, decide on the amount of money you can afford to spend per person. Older children who will be buying their own presents for family can make this decision themselves, with your help. Younger kids can help by writing down the dollar amount you can spend.

You can then start brainstorming gift possibilities. Have your kids comparison shop for prices or figure out alternatives if certain gifts aren't in the budget. This exercise can help your kids understand that generosity and spending too much aren't synonymous.

Wants and needs

Holidays can often be a time of excess, which means it can be tough for kids to recognize the difference between their wants and their needs. One way parents can help their kids learn those differences is to institute the Four Gift Rule. With this rule, each child receives:

Something they want.
Something they need.
Something to wear.
Something to read.

Limiting your children's wish lists to four distinct categories helps your kids focus on the things that they truly need and the wants that they value most. You can make it clear to your kids that they can put more than one item in each category, but that they will only receive one present from each category.

Not only will this system help save you money and time, but it will help your kids keep their gift expectations reasonable.

Holidays, with a side of money management

Enjoying the holiday season with your children is a perfect time to teach them some of the finer points of budgeting, negotiation, money management, and managing expectations.

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This article is from Emily Guy Birken of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Flashback Friday: 137 Ways to Make This the Best Halloween Yet

Chrissa Hardy — Fri, 06 Oct 2017 08:30:11 +0000

Halloween is such a magnificent holiday. You get to dress up in wacky costumes, eat all the candy, and you don't have to spend tons of money on gifts or travel to celebrate. So whether or not you have plans for Halloween 2017, here's how to make it the best spook-fest yet.

8 Affordable Destinations If You Wanna Get Spooked This Halloween — If you live near any of these destinations, you can avoid the cost of air travel altogether, while still getting yourself and your travel buddy freaked the geek out by all the unexplainable, terrifying happenings.

60+ Halloween Costume Ideas That Can Save You Money and Time — No costume ideas yet? No worries! Here are tons of ideas that'll turn all the heads, without you having to drain all your funds.

15 Ways to Make Money on Halloween — If you're not into the costume scene, why not use All Hallow's Eve to make some extra cash? These simple side hustles won't take up much of your time, and will yield serious coins.

13 DIY Halloween Costumes for Your Pets — You can't exactly go full-on Monster Mash without getting the pets in on the fun, now can you? These DIY costumes are endlessly cute and easy to assemble.

25 DIY Halloween Treats That Trick-or-Treaters Will Love — Store-bought candy is played out. These DIY treats will leave the trick-or-treaters coming back for more!

13 Scariest Halloween Frights You Can Make From Trash — One person's trash can be that same person's Halloween decor. Because is there such a thing as too many milk jug ghosts? (The answer is no.)

This article is from Chrissa Hardy of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Ask the Readers: What Are Your Money-Saving Halloween Hacks?

Ashley Jacobs — Tue, 03 Oct 2017 08:30:06 +0000

Editor's Note: Congratulations to Karen J., Karen L., and Angela for winning this week's contest!

While it isn't a retail holiday, Halloween can get really expensive if you go out and buy any costumes, decor, and candy you may want to celebrate this spooky day. It's almost always cheaper to get crafty with costumes and decorations, shop outside the Halloween section — or even shop outside the Halloween season.

What are your money-saving Halloween hacks? Have you ever put together a costume from scratch? Have you ever hosted a Halloween party? If so, what did you do to keep costs low?

Tell us about your money-saving Halloween hacks and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

Win 1 of 3 $20 Amazon Gift Cards

We're doing three giveaways — here's how you can win:

Follow us on Twitter
Follow our Executive Editor Janet Alvarez on Twitter
Tweet about our giveaway for an entry.
Visit our Facebook page for an entry.

Use our Rafflecopter widget for your chance to win one of three Amazon Gift Cards:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway Rules:

Contest ends Monday, October 9th at 11:59 p.m. Pacific. Winners will be announced after October 9th on the original post. Winners will also be contacted via email.
This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered, or associated with Facebook or Twitter.
You must be 18 and U.S. resident to enter. Void where prohibited.

Good Luck!

Tell us about your money-saving Halloween hacks and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

This article is from Ashley Jacobs of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

15 Ways to Make Money on Halloween

Mikey Rox — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 08:30:10 +0000

Most people balk at signs of the impending fall holidays because they fear what's coming — or rather, going: their money. But this year, instead of removing all the bills from your wallet for Halloween this-and-that, stuff it to the gills with fresh cash using these ways to turn October 31 on its paycheck-draining pumpkin head.

1. Attach business cards to trick-or-treaters' candy

Have a business you want to promote? Get in front of a lot of customers this Halloween by attaching your business card to the candy you're handing out. When parents inspect the candy later, they'll find it and hopefully call you. If you own a restaurant or retail store in town or provide a service, try a 10 percent discount instead of a standard business card. You'll build brand awareness among neighbors that may not know about your business, and you'll spend just pennies on new customer acquisition. (Shout-out to my lovely aunt for this idea. Genius.)

2. Rent out your guest space to tourists

If you've been considering whether or not to rent out your home or spare room on Airbnb and other micro-subletting services, use Halloween as a test run. There's usually higher demand around holidays so you'll likely book with relative ease if you keep your accommodations comfortable, clean, and affordable. This is a great way to experience what hosting travelers is like (without committing to it as a full-time job) while pocketing a little extra income. (See also: 5 Easy Ways to Make Good Money From Airbnb)

3. Sell old costumes online

If you still have last year's kids' and adult costumes, and you don't plan to wear them again, try getting rid of them locally via Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or online selling apps like Letgo. You'll have the best chance of unloading your unwanted garb with great photos and reasonable prices. Start at about 60 percent off what you paid for the costume originally and haggle from there. (See also: Turn Old Clothes Into Money With These 4 Tools and Apps)

4. Charge your friends for a sweet fix

You probably won't have much luck at this as an adult, but if you're a high school or college student, tap into your entrepreneurial skills early and peddle Halloween candy for a price. Everyone is in the sweets-eating mood at the end of October, so seize this opportunity to turn your trick-or-treating stash or reduced-priced seasonal candy bags into a profit. Undercut the competition, i.e. vending machines, and you've got a mini-business on your hands.

5. Sit for parents of children or pets

Many adults like to enjoy the Halloween festivities as much as the kids do, so if you know any parents or pet owners, offer your sitting services to allow them to enjoy the parties to which they were invited. There are several popular services that will help you market yourself, like Care.com for child care and Rover.com for pet care. Each will help you build a profile, tap into the local market, and share your services on social media. (See also: How to Make $400+ a Week as a Pet Sitter)

6. Drive revelers around in your car

I've been a Lyft and Uber driver for a couple years now, and I can tell you firsthand that there's major demand surrounding Halloween. I've made a few hundred bucks on Halloween night alone, and that's only driving from about 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Demand, of course, will depend on the area in which you live, but if there's not a lot to do where you are, drive to another, more popular area where you know people will be partying and therefore need a safe ride home. (See also: How to Earn Extra Money Driving for Uber or Lyft)

7. Host a haunted house

A friend of mine told me that his family charged 25 cents for admission to the amateur haunted house they put together in their own home, but this was back in the 1960s. The inflation rate today would be $2.07, and nobody's going to pay that hefty fee to enter your dungeon of terror, but you could probably squeeze out $1-$2 per family if you create an interesting/scary enough attraction.

8. Set up a trick-or-treating yard sale

Have a pile of junk you'd like to sell? Take advantage of the built-in Halloween-night foot traffic by setting up a small yard sale while you're handing out candy. Provide bags for smaller items, and be flexible enough to allow next-day pickup for larger items that chaperones won't want to carry around all night.

9. Offer your face painting or hair and makeup skills

A quick post on social media about your hair and makeup prowess will likely fill up your Halloween weekend schedule. Expand your reach with a post on Craigslist. Everybody wants to look their best for the festivities, and they'll pay a pretty penny for it.

10. Tailor costumes

Holes in costumes may need mending, or someone might need an old costume taken in, and if you're handy with a needle and thread or a sewing machine, you can pocket a few crisp ones for your work.

11. Pick up a seasonal job as a haunted house actor

Enjoy scaring the bejesus out of people? Local haunted houses and corn mazes are hiring actors to spook guests this time of year, as are amusement parks that host seasonal events, like Six Flags' Fright Fest.

12. DJ a Halloween party

Spin "Monster Mash" and other macabre music by DJing Halloween parties. It doesn't have to be a major affair, so look for kids' shindigs, neighborhood parties, and community center events.

13. Make themed baked goods for last-minuters

I have a friend who makes the most incredible, perfectly decorated cookies, for which she's paid top dollar on custom orders. If you're a whiz in the kitchen, offer your baked goods to neighbors for their parties and maybe even pop into your local restaurants and cafes to ask if they might be willing to put your treats in their cases for a cut of the profits. These are the baby steps to a small business.

14. Chaperone children for trick-or-treating

Sort of like baby-sitting; you'll get paid in cash plus a few candy bars. Parents or guardians working late and therefore unable to take their kids trick-or-treating will be interested in this service.

15. Sell water to thirsty parents

Walking children around for hours on end can really take it out of you. Help adults rehydrate by offering bottled water for $1 a pop, or set up a lemonade/Kool-Aid stand to sell small cups of the sweet stuff for 50 cents to a dollar.

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This article is from Mikey Rox of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

8 Affordable Destinations If You Wanna Get Spooked This Halloween

Paul Michael — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 09:00:06 +0000

Halloween is just around the corner. If you're thinking of doing something a little more adventurous this year, but are watching the pennies, then check out these great vacation ideas. You'll find there's a lot about these destinations that is scary … except the price tag.

1. Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

There's nothing quite like a cold, creepy, rundown prison to get your Halloween juices flowing. The Travel Channel calls it, "one of America's scariest Halloween attractions," and it is literally a haunted house inside a real prison. The prison itself was at one time the most famous and expensive prisons in the world, housing criminals like Al Capone and William Francis Sutton, aka "Slick Willie." Now, the building is filled with echoing cell blocks, cold damp air, and the feeling that the ghosts of prisoners are walking the halls. If that's not enough, Steve Buscemi narrates the audio tour. Tickets are very reasonable indeed, costing $45-$50 on the Saturday before Halloween, and just $25-$30 on the actual night. And accommodations close by are also very affordable, with hotels nearby starting at just $125 a night during Halloween weekend.

2. The French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana

If you like your Halloween with a little Voodoo flair, get yourself down to the French Quarter this year. There are plenty of options when you arrive, from the Dead of Night Ghost Hunt (under $50 per person) to Bloody Mary's Moonlight Graveyard Tours ($30 per person). As you would expect with any New Orleans event, it's a fun, almost carnival-type atmosphere, with a lot of booze flowing and plenty of pub crawls and wedding parties in the vicinity. And if you're really feeling brave, try the St. Louis Cemetery at night. Hotels and motels within five miles of the French Quarter are well under $100 a night, and are just minutes away from the tours in a cab. Or you could get yourself right in the heart of the action for upward of $250 a night.

3. Witch Trial Museums in Salem, Massachusetts

Salem is famous for the Salem Witch Trials, which took the lives of 19 innocent victims who were killed simply because of their beliefs and lifestyles. As you can imagine, this horrific event lead to a lot of speculation and rumors about hauntings, ghosts, and unusual activity. And if you visit Salem during Halloween, that is really amped up. All through October you'll find fun family events, with a few things thrown in for the grown-ups, and it's all very reasonably priced.

From horror movie screenings and ghost tours, to Jack the Ripper musicals and haunted cruises, you will be engulfed in horrifying happenings. Hotel rooms average around $200 per night during peak Halloween season, but as usual, you can find great deals if you stay outside of the downtown area. And don't forget to check out Airbnb for excellent deals on lodging. (See also: 9 of the Craziest, Coolest Airbnb Listings)

4. The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado

The horror of Stanley Kubrick's The Shining hits you full in the face at the Stanley Hotel. This is where Jack Nicholson's character went out of his mind, and it's a known hot spot for paranormal activity. Strangely enough, this all started after the publication of Stephen King's infamous novel of the same name. Coincidence? Well, you can decide for yourself.

Every Halloween, the Stanley Hotel puts on a series of events, and in 2017, those include a murder mystery dinner at $170 per person, or a masquerade ball for $5 a head more. That price also includes food and drink. On top of that, a standard room for a couple will set you back around $250, or you can find other hotels in the area for about $72 a night. And as you are in one of the most beautiful parts of the United States, so taking in the scenery is a must … and free.

5. Sleepy Hollow in Westchester, New York

If you don't know the tale of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman, where have you been hiding? If you're looking to immerse yourself in the legend of Sleepy Hollow, check out the Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze for just $20 for adults, $16 for kids, and free for children under three. If you don't want to spend a dime, there are places of spooky historical interest that you can visit, including the chilling Old Dutch Church and Raven Rock. There are also plenty of plays, concerts, haunted tours, and many other events to keep the whole family entertained through your entire stay. And don't think that because this is New York, that it's going to cost an arm and a leg (or even a head in this case). There are myriad options for accommodation, with bed-and-breakfasts and motels starting at just $79 per night during Halloween. (See also: 4 Affordable Autumn Destinations for Nature Lovers)

6. Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in Weston, West Virginia

Be warned, this one is not for the faint of heart. A former state hospital for the mentally insane, the asylum was constructed in 1858 and originally held 250 patients. By the 1950s, that number had grown to over 2,000. It is said that the ghosts of Civil War soldiers roam the hallways, and many people who come to the tour have left feeling shaken and disturbed. But if you are built of stern stuff, and fancy spending the night in a cold, dark hell-scape, this is for you.

There are events and tours going on throughout the year, with Halloween really amping up the scares. Basic tours start at just $10, but special events and photo tours range from $35-$150. Accommodation in the area if very affordable, starting at around $70 a night. However, it's a small place so these rooms get booked fast. Get your reservation in early to avoid sleeping in the car.

7. West Virginia Penitentiary in Moundsville, West Virginia

If you're already in West Virginia for the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, why not make it a double whammy with another terrifying tour? The West Virginia Penitentiary has been called one of the scariest places in the United States, and with good reason.

First opened in 1876, the daunting gothic architecture was foreboding enough. But the history that followed turned it into a nightmare. Over 100 prisoners were hanged or electrocuted on the grounds. The prison saw multiple riots and countless escape attempts. And an actual phantom, the Greenbrier Ghost, gave testimony here (that's a long story). Tours range from one-hour explorations to three-hour investigations and overnight stays, if you dare. You can even partake in Zombie Paintball or an escape room. Prices range from $20, all the way up to $950 for private group sessions of around 20 people (that's about $50/head).

8. Bell Witch Cave in Adams, Tennessee

If you like your experiences cheap and haunting, try the Bell Witch Cave tour. The tale of the Bell Witch makes the skin crawl. Back in 1817, John Bell and his family were physically and mentally tortured by the witch that would visit their farm. His daughter, Betsy, took the brunt of the attacks. And just three years after they started, John Bell died. It is said that the spirit of the witch resides inside the cave, and eerie things happen to people who visit it. Cameras refuse to work. Photographs come out looking odd. Some say you can hear the witch, or see her face in the rock. A tour of both the cave and a replica of the Bell cabin will set you back less than $20 per person. And local hotels and B&Bs start at a very affordable $49 a night during Halloween season. Maybe you can use some of the money you save on some therapy afterward.

This article is from Paul Michael of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Flashback Friday: 61 Affordable Ways to Embrace All Things Autumn

Chrissa Hardy — Fri, 08 Sep 2017 08:30:11 +0000

With the leaves starting to turn, the kids back in school, and pumpkin spice lattes available for massive consumption, fall has officially arrived. And while it's easy to get caught up in the magic of maple-flavored candles, spiked cider, and all the other cozy essentials of the season, it can also be quite costly. Here's how to embrace the sweater weather on the cheap.

6 Ways Autumn Is Good for Your Mind and Body — First of all, let's celebrate the fact that many of us will be feeling better now that summer is over. Allergies aren't as intense, the heat is disappearing more each day, allowing us to enjoy outdoor activities again, and the food is so much tastier.

13 Seasonal Dishes for Your Next Fall Feast — Who's ready to feast? With hearty, stick-to-your-ribs dishes, and hot drinks, this is the time of year to indulge on all things edible. So kick off your first fall feast with these dishes.

11 Instant Pot Meals That Prove Autumn Is the Best Season — While cooking is the most fun this time of year, you still have the same amount of free time in the day, which isn't very much. Luckily, you can throw your autumn ingredients in your Instant Pot and end your day with a meal that'll soothe your soul.

The 18 Coolest Frugal Fall Adventures — Pack up the car and hit the road for a weekend fall camping trip. Or stay home, make your own applesauce, paint pumpkins, or light a bonfire. Fall is the best season to do anything and everything, and you don't have to spend all your hard-earned money, either.

9 Frugal Skills You Must Have to Survive Autumn — The problem with fall is that it leads to the holiday season, and the rest of winter. So in order to survive the shopping excursions and the harsh weather to come, do these things now before autumn ends so your money isn't gone before Santa's sleigh touches down.

4 Affordable Autumn Destinations for Nature Lovers — If you're looking to get away and take in the scenic foliage, these destinations are gorgeous, and affordable. You can breathe in the crisp cool air, bask in the bright reds and yellows of the leaves, and still go home with cash left in your wallet.

This article is from Chrissa Hardy of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Are You Spending Too Much on Halloween This Year?

Nick Wharton — Mon, 17 Oct 2016 10:00:09 +0000

According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), more than 171 million Americans will celebrate Halloween this year at a total cost of about $8.4 billion — an all-time high.

Broken down, the price tag for each person is estimated to be an average of $82.93, up from last year's $74.34. But we all know that number goes right out the window if you're a fright-night fanatic. At least mine does — on candy and costume and festivities alone. Tack on decorations, greeting cards, and pet costumes to the list (the latter of which has become BIG business to the tune of $350 million a year), and you can easily spend $100 to $200 on Halloween — a hefty price tag for what's generally considered to be a "kid" holiday.

Ward off such wickedness this October 31 by checking your receipts for hidden spending gremlins.

1. Decorations

The National Retail Federation found that 70% of Halloween shoppers plan to purchase decorations, spending $2.4 billion, while 49% — likely many of the same respondents — say they'll decorate their homes or yards. This certainly can become problematic if you're buying new, full-price decorations to add to your collection every year, but there are ways to lessen the cost.

My method, for instance, is to buy new items postseason. I never purchase any holiday decorations, Halloween or otherwise, while the season is in full swing. Even if discounts are available (Target reels you in with discounts throughout the season on its Cartwheel app, for example), you'll pay a fraction of even those discounted prices if you wait until November 1 or a couple days after to snag what's left of the haul. Granted, you may not find high-end items like yard inflatables or animatronic monsters, but I'm usually able to add a few smaller decorations to my overall Halloween aesthetic. Outdoor holiday lights and party supplies also are in abundance on clearance the day after.

2. Greeting Cards

A whopping $390 million is spent on Halloween greeting cards every year, purchased by 35.4% of Halloween shoppers. This might not makes sense to some of you, but anybody who has children in their lives — specifically nieces, nephews, and grandchildren — will recognize how Hallmark and American Greetings continue to make a killing (mostly because of the guilt we feel for not actually being present to celebrate with them), especially when you consider that the average cost of greeting cards hovers around $5. In fact, I've known people who have spent upward of $18 on a single fancy greeting card; they've been drinking too much witches' brew, for sure.

I cut costs on greeting cards for my own nephews by either buying them a year in advance like I do decorations — and I've walked away with cards at a whopping 90% off the day after Halloween — or forgoing the card altogether. Because based on my own personal experience, I can absolutely confirm that children don't care about the card whatsoever when there's also candy in the package. Skip it and it'll never be missed.

3. Candy

Okay, now we're getting into serious Halloween territory. Candy — the crux of the entire bloody celebration — rakes in an incredible $2.5 billion in September and October alone, with 94.3% of consumers surveyed by the NRF breaking out their wallets for the sugary-sweet treats.

And it's not cheap. The average person will spend $24.43 on candy this year, which represents a big chunk of the total Halloween spend average of $82.93. It's easy to see how it gets there though. Premium chocolate brands, like Hershey's, Mars, M & M's, and Reese's, are priced between $10 and $12 per large bag featuring kids/snack size servings. I've seen the per-pound cost of some of these bags between $5 and $7, which is rather expensive for run-of-the-mill chocolate.

But therein lies your savings tip: Before I purchase any bag of candy, I compare the number of pieces in the bag/how much the bag weighs with the price-per-pound designation listed on the price tag on the store shelf. Most of them have these. While larger bags may seem like the best value, often the smaller bags are more economical, comparatively.

Let's not forget, either, that you're paying for packaging and holiday marketing when you buy holiday food/candy — the brands factor in the cost of unsold post-holiday items into the cost of the bag you're buying — which means that you'll save even more if you purchase the everyday bags in the regular candy aisle opposed to those in the seasonal food section. Of course, you can reduce the price even further with app savings and coupons.

4. Human Costumes

Outside of candy, the other major Halloween expense is costumes, which takes up the biggest portion of the holiday-spending pie at $3.1 billion.

When it comes to costumes, we're already fairly savvy: 35% of costume shoppers search for the perfect outfit online, where you can find great costumes at reasonable or even discounted prices, while 29% shop in store, likely at pop-up shops like Spirit Halloween Superstores. (I receive discounts galore at Halloween by being on their email list.)

What's even more heartening from a savings standpoint is that many of us rely on social media (34%), friend and family (19%), pop culture (16%), and print media (14%) for costume ideas, the pieces for which we look for in our own closets or thrift stores.

Again, I've saved a bundle picking up full costumes, odds and ends, and accessories after the holiday; Spirit goes out of business for the year, end of day November 1, but you can snag tons of great stuff that day. I keep all those items in a box to piece meal a costume together the next year.

Another smart idea is to swap costumes and accessories among friends. Somebody in your circle may have just what you're looking for — Facebook is an excellent way to find out — so you don't have to shell out for one-use-only items.

5. Pet Costumes

We love our pets. So much so that 20 million of us are willing to fork over a combined $350 million to dress up our furbabies as waggy-tailed ghouls and goblins.

I admit that I've dressed up my own dog for a celebration at the dog park or for a neighborhood parade, but I'll let you in on a little secret: He doesn't like it one bit. And it stands to reason that yours probably doesn't either. Which is why I don't do it anymore.

Even a discounted costume is a waste, in my opinion, because if the dog doesn't destroy it trying to get it off, it'll get filthy when your pet rolls around in the dirt and other dogs' poop in hopes of sending you a message to stop humiliating it in public. Thus, if you're looking to shave real money off your Halloween expenditures this year, cut out the pet costume altogether (or reuse the filthy one). No sleep will be lost, least of all by your slobbery companion.

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This article is from Nick Wharton of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Ask the Readers: Are You Wearing a Costume for Halloween This Year?

Ashley Jacobs — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 10:00:07 +0000

Editor's Note: Congratulations to Guest, Laura, and Kristin for winning this week's contest!

Wearing costumes is a big part of Halloween — and it can be a big chunk of Halloween spending. While store-bought costumes can be pricey, they're certainly convenient. On the other hand, a DIY costume allows you to exercise your creativity and may not cost a penny to put together.

Are you wearing a costume for Halloween this year? Is it a DIY costume or store-bought? What is the most memorable costume idea you've ever encountered?

Tell us whether you're wearing a costume this Halloween and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

Win 1 of 3 $20 Amazon Gift Cards

We're doing three giveaways — here's how you can win!

Mandatory Entry:

Post your answer in the comments below. One commenter will be randomly selected to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

For Extra Entries:

You can tweet about our giveaway for an extra entry. Also, our Facebook fans can get an extra entry too! Use our Rafflecopter widget for your chance to win one of the other two Amazon Gift Cards:

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If you're inspired to write a whole blog post OR you have a photo on Flickr to share, please link to it in the comments or tweet it.

Giveaway Rules:

Contest ends Monday, October 17th at 11:59 p.m. Pacific. Winners will be announced after October 17th on the original post. Winners will also be contacted via email.
You can enter all three drawings — once by leaving a comment, once by liking our Facebook update, and once by tweeting.
This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered, or associated with Facebook.
You must be 18 and US resident to enter. Void where prohibited.

Good Luck!

Tell us whether you're wearing a costume this Halloween and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

This article is from Ashley Jacobs of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Flashback Friday: 85 Best Ways to Save on Halloween This Year

Chrissa Hardy — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 10:00:06 +0000

Halloween is just around the corner, as is the rest of the seriously pricey holiday season. We spend so much time budgeting for Christmas that we forget about how expensive Halloween can be. With the candy, costumes, decorations, and theme parties, it's very easy to blow your holiday budget before November even begins. Let's be better this year. Here are the 85 best ways to save on Halloween 2016.

13 Sites to Find Your Halloween Costume Cheap — You want a complete costume with attire and accessories, but you also want it for cheap. You're only going to wear it once anyway, so get your Halloween costume from any of these sites and you'll save mega bucks.

13 Scariest Halloween Frights You Can Make From Trash — One person's trash is that same person's Halloween craft treasure, apparently. There are tons of cute decorations you can make from recycling stuff you already have. Plus, it's fun!

13 DIY Halloween Costumes for Your Pets — Pet owners usually love dressing their pets up in Halloween costumes because the level of cuteness is astounding. But since your pet has no idea what's going on, and probably isn't a huge fan of wearing clothes, use these tips to create a cheap and adorable DIY costume instead of buying one.

20 Simple and Cheap Halloween Costumes for Kids — Halloween costumes for kids don't need to be elaborate or costly. Plus, they'll probably grow out of the costume by the time trick-or-treating is over anyway, right? All of these ideas are creative, frugal, and all kinds of cute.

25 DIY Halloween Treats That Trick-or-Treaters Will Love — Skip the candy corn — because nobody actually eats that anyway — and make any of these DIY Halloween treats. Your home might become the best one on the block.

The Big List of Money-Saving Coupon Codes for Halloween 2016 — Looking to save some extra cash while doing your Halloween shopping this year? Look no further than this massive and magnificent list of money-saving coupon codes.

This article is from Chrissa Hardy of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: