It’s that time of year again – the leaves are falling, the air is cooling off, and in a few days, little ghosts and goblins will be roaming the streets on Halloween night. It’s always exciting for kids and adults alike to come up with a new costume every Halloween, but face it – costumes can be expensive! You could easily drop $50 or more on a store-bought costume, but there are alternatives that won’t cost nearly as much. Trust me, your wallet will thank you!

Make your own costume. It’s the easiest way to avoiding paying $25, $50 or more for a store-bought costume. Plus, who wants to wear the same thing as five other people at the Halloween party? If you need an idea for what to be, browse store-bought costumes then find a way to recreate the idea at home. Mix and match your clothes, your family’s old clothes, or cheap Goodwill clothes. Be creative! I once made a Ninja Turtle costume by borrowing some green sweat pants from my sister, purchasing a $2 green turtleneck at Goodwill, and buying another orange shirt from Goodwill to cut up to make a headband and ties for around my elbows and knees. I had a small round sled that I strapped to my back as my turtle shell. My dad made nunchucks out of some lightweight piping he had. I easily could have bought a Ninja Turtle costume at the store for $50, but it only cost me a few dollars because I used stuff I already had around the house.

Recycle costumes you’ve used in the past. If you had a cool costume a few years ago, pull it out of retirement! If you’re going to more than one party, wear the same costume to each party instead of getting multiple costumes – or again, wear one of your old costumes to each party.

Hold a costume swap party. Make a few tasty Halloween treats and invite your friends to bring any old costumes or accessories they’d like to get rid of. This would also work great for kids’ costumes since they usually outgrow them after one use. Organize a swap in your neighborhood or with your child’s classmates.

If you must buy a store-bought costume, wait until as close to the big day as possible. Stores begin to discount items just before Halloween to move their inventory, so if you hold out, you can probably find something at a discount.

Plan ahead for next year. Halloween merchandise usually goes on sale for 50% off the day after Halloween. If you wait a few more weeks, you can get as much as 75-90% off, and you’re set for next year!

Consider themed pajamas for kids. You could find a Superman pajama set, add a cape and your kid is good to go. You’ll get your money’s worth since your child will be re-wearing the costume as pajamas.

Go with simple face paint. If your child wants to be a cat, dress her in all black, make a tail and a cat headband, and paint her face. Chances are you’ll have almost everything you need at home already.

Kids (and adults alike!) look forward to Halloween all month long. With a little creativity, you can easily win the costume contest without spending a dime. And you’ll surely remember that costume longer than that cheap-but-expensive plastic mask and cape.

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This article was syndicated and originally appeared on the CESI Debt Solutions website.