Americans Projected to Spend $8.8 Billion on Halloween

There’s nothing more terrifying than an empty wallet. As the month rolls over and spooky season begins, many Americans already have Halloween plans underway. For many, Halloween means simple...



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There’s nothing more terrifying than an empty wallet.

As the month rolls over and spooky season begins, many Americans already have Halloween plans underway. For many, Halloween means simple costumes and a pillow case full of Smarties. But for some, Halloween becomes a cutthroat contest of elaborate spooks and displays. I still remember this one house in my childhood neighborhood that had a gigantic animatronic spider covering the front on Halloween.

However, if you’re trying to live frugally, then beware, because Halloween’s on the hunt for your bank account. According to the National Retail Federation, Americans are projected to spend around $8.8 billion this year on Halloween-related expenses. Since around 172 million American citizens have announced an intent to formally participate in the holiday, that’s around $86 per person (though that’s not counting kids).

To break that projection down to specifics, around $3.2 billion will be spent on costumes, $2.7 billion will be spent on decorations, $2.6 billion will be spent on candy, and $390 million will be spent on greeting cards. Wait, who the heck sends greeting cards on Halloween? That’s just weird.

Anyway, according to the NRF’s data, the top five retail-grade costumes for kids are a nonspecific princess, a nonspecific superhero, Spider-Man, an Avenger, and Batman. And you know what costumes based on licensed characters means? Yep, more money. If your kids are making costume requests now, do the smart thing and heed them before they sell out.

And for those of you who aren’t actively participating in Halloween this year, just remember, the grocery stores discount all of their leftover candy starting November 1st. You’re welcome.