Oct 28, 2008 4:44 pm US/Eastern
How To Save Money On Your Halloween Needs
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
The cost of Halloween items from candy to costumes is up this year. However, if you know where to shop and how to stretch your holiday dollar, you don't have to be haunted by the higher prices.
"I never thought I'd see $75, $100 for a little thin costume. Make it at home for $10," shopper Brandon Giglio said.
Chocolates are up by more than 4 percent. False eyelashes and other accessories are up by nearly 10 percent, and that all important costume hair coloring is up about 126 percent over last year.
"Retailers were optimistic that consumers were going to want to escape from the realities of the economy by putting on some masks and fake eyelashes but the reality is no one has really gone out and gone wild on spending yet," said Kelli Grant from "Smart Money Magazine."
So what's a ghost or goblin to do? Whether as a result of procrastination or savvy shopping, today has traditionally been the best day to shop for all your ghoulish goodies. But this year, it may pay to wait until the last minute.
"Probably you'll see some desperate discounting as Halloween approaches and they are trying to get rid of a lot," Grant said.
We did find bargains on some candy at Duane Reade. Kids costumes were slashed 50% off at Ricky's, but adult costumes were still full price.
At Abracadabra, the Halloween Superstore in Flatiron, owners said their customers aren't spooked by merchandise that never goes on sale.
"Halloween is not feeling the crunch. New Yorkers are resilient whenever there's a party they're going," said Abracadabra owner Robert Pinzon.
As for the best buys on Halloween candy, stock up at a warehouse club. Costco has a bag of 150 candy bars for $12.99. The grocery store will cost you three times that.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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