Halloween Costumes on a Budget

It is hard to believe Halloween is just a couple weeks away.  I don't know about you'all but holidays are sort of a big deal around my house.  From birth up until a couple of years ago my son was obsessed with Star Wars.  Do you have any ideas how expensive cheaply made Star Wars costumes can be!?!  And seriously do you know how terribly "cheap" those very expensive costumes are!?! So what do you do with a detail obsessed child and a single income?  Here are a few tips to Halloween Costumes on a Budget that I have picked up over the years.

1) Make them yourself. -  So I realize that as a single person not everyone has the time or the skill to make their own Halloween costumes on a budget.  That being said if you are at all crafty, plan ahead and devote a few hours to making your own Halloween costumes, I am positive your one of a kind costumes will always out shine those over priced poor quality store bought costumes.  

Whenever, I decide to go this route for our Halloween costumes, I make sure to keep an eye out for a 99 cent pattern sale and either recycle old fabric I am no longer using or make a trip to the discount ($1.99/yard) fabric store a couple of towns over.  

2) Thrift Shops!! -  A personal favorite of mine.  Not only are thrift shops great for finding that perfect blue 10th Doctor for only $7.99,  (My son is no longer obsessed with Star Wars, we are now Whovians.) but most good thrift shops have a wide variety of pre-made costumes, both used and new.  

No, that is not my son, just who he aspires to be these days. :-)

This year favorite Thrift Shop is featuring Zombie-chic in their 2013 Halloween collection.  Personally, since we are talking Halloween costumes on a budget, I would just buy the $7.99 suit  and take a pair of scissors to it.  But if you prefer your Zombie attire pre-made, your local Thrift Shop may be the place to look.  

3) Clearance - In my opinion, clearance is the best thing that ever happened to retail.  Now keep in mind, if you or your little one need to have the latest and "greatest" cheaply made costume clearance might not be your best option, but if you not need to be super trendy, clearance is a great way to get a way expensive Halloween costume on a budget.  Most major retailers drastically mark down their Halloween merchandise soon after (sometimes even before the 31st).  In the past I have found great costumes and costumes accessories at up to 90% off just a couple days after Halloween, two dollar blond wing anyone!?!

Hope these few tips are helpful, I'd love to hear what you think.  How have you been able to put together Halloween costumes on a budget.  Please share!!

Which is the Bigger Expense? Children's Summer Vacation or School Year

Have you ever had a question you really did not know the answer to and did not know who to ask? Well, I am having one of those moments. Hope you can comment and share your thoughts. The question is: Which is the Bigger Expense?  Children's  Summer Vacation or School Year

This week in Connecticut, children have  started  go back to school after what seems to be a long Summer vacation, for many of my friends. Many of my friends with children were just planning the kids Summer vacation and about a month ago my friends started preparing their  children  for school year.

This is how this question of: Which is the Bigger Expense?  Children's  Summer Vacation or School Year, came about.

Parents of school age children, I would love to hear you voice. How do you budget for both? What are you challenges? Which is the Bigger Expense?  Children's  Summer Vacation or School Year

Please, please, please comment and help me and my readers know what and how others are affording  their children's Summer Vacation and School Year

 

#5 Top Ways to Save Big Money... On Your Want and Need List

Through out  my journey in life, I have I discovered the wonderful world of “frugal living.” 
Here I will tell you the #5 Top Ways to Save Big Money... On Your Want and Need List

There was a time in my life that I would never have been seen in these stores or buying bargains.  However, I humbly come to the realization that for years I have been trying to live a life focused on idols, stuff and impressing others but as you may know, that really did not add anything to my  quality of life in fact, it added a great  amount of stress because I could keep up with the Jones'.



Where I have learned to Shop :



#5 Top Ways to Save Big Money...   On Your Want and Need List

 

 

 

Thrift Store and  Consignment Store!

 Where and When do I visit?

• Where?
• Thrift Stores and Consignment Shops
• Better Areas in Town
• When?
• Regularly- merchandise  are never the same and you will unlikely find  two of a kind. Its like a revolving door in these shops.
• On  Sales Days- subscribe to receive emails or mail notifications 
• On senior Citizen days/ hours
• Seasonally

During the recent recession, these places were even more popular place to shop. Here, where I am from, you have so many options on where to buy on a budget and actually get great things.
One thing, I am doing is: when I find I am in WANT of something. I write it down on a notepad  and during my monthly shopping time I  keep my eyes open for the items on my list.

And Guess What?

I have gotten   lucky and found exactly what I needed, on may occasions.
It just takes will power , determination and a sense of belief that what ever you ask for, is going to be given to you.

We just need to wait, on it.
 
I have bought some amazing items in Thrift Store and Consignment Store that when I am walking out of the  store I usually have the  biggest grin because I saved, saved, saved  on Great Stuff!

What frugal thing do you do to, stretch your money? I really would like to hear your ideas!
Please leave a comment.