• About
  • Credit Card Basics
  • Mortgage Basics
  • $40K Challenge
  • Aunt Doris
  • Privacy
  • Archives
  • Insiders
  • Features

Len Penzo dot Com

The offbeat personal finance blog for responsible people.

6 (Really) Frugal Halloween Costume Ideas for the Kids

By Len Penzo

halloween-costumes

Yeah, those are cute Halloween costumes, but they’ll cost you a pretty penny.

So the Honeybee took our two kids out shopping for Halloween costumes this week and spent a grand total of $69.43. This is not only a ghastly amount of money to spend on Halloween costumes, but it’s totally unacceptable in my opinion.

What, exactly, did we get for that amount of money?

Well, this year Matthew is going to be something called “Scream-o,” which is apparently based on that famous Edvard Munch painting, “The Scream.” Meanwhile, Nina is going to be a Gothic witch. (Actually, is there really any other kind?)

Oh well, it’s too late now — I know I’m not going to be the ghoul that breaks my kids’ hearts by telling them that they have to take their costumes back to the store because Daddy is cheap frugal.

Next year if I get my way — which I probably won’t — my kids are going to get their Halloween costumes at Dad’s Costume Shop, not Party City. Unlike Party City, Dad’s Costume Shop will consist of Halloween costumes that all cost under a buck. How far under a buck? Well, I’ve already designed six costumes and they are all exactly one dollar under a buck!

Uh huh. In other words: free!

Now that’s what I call a reasonably priced Halloween costume.

Anyway, here’s a sneak peak at my brand new Halloween costume line. And as a public service, all of these designs are officially Len Penzo dot Com share-wear. I refuse to take a single penny in royalties for this stuff. You’re welcome.

LittleLeaguerLittle League Bench Warmer
Key Costume Components: Your kid’s Little League uniform from this past summer.
Party City Price: $32.99
Dad’s Costume Shop Price: Free!
Savings: $32.99
Comment: To make the costume scary, tape a stat sheet to Junior’s back that highlights his .121 batting average.

GhostPitiful Ghost
Key Costume Components: The back side of an old Twister game (why ruin a sheet?)
Party City Price: $19.99
Dad’s Costume Shop Price: Free!
Savings: $19.99
Comment: A timeless classic. For those kids who don’t want to ruin their Twister game, the eye holes are optional.

VetMalpracticing Veterinarian
Key Costume Components: An old coat, a pocket protector, and the family dog.
Party City Price: $27.99
Dad’s Costume Shop Price: Free!
Savings: $27.99
Comment: Although not as authentic, kids without a live pet can use a stuffed animal.

RockStarSophisticated Rock Star
Key Costume Components: Sunglasses
Party City Price: $24.99
Dad’s Costume Shop Price: Free!
Savings: $24.99
Comment: The King of Cool. If mom or dad doesn’t smoke, make a fake cigarette from a piece of paper.

GymRatEnvironmentalist Gym Rat
Key Costume Components: Sweat bands, a tank top and some old gym shorts.
Party City Price: $32.99
Dad’s Costume Shop Price: Free!
Savings: $32.99
Comment: Save money and the environment by toting an actual glass of water rather than bottled H2O.

Dunce

The School Dunce
Key Costume Components: A simple dunce hat made from a sheet of paper.
Party City Price: Not available
Dad’s Costume Shop Price: Free!
Savings: Not applicable
Comment: Heh. Nobody will be calling you stupid after you tell them how much you spent on this one.

As for me, this year I’m going as a streaker. After all, when it comes to Halloween costumes, it doesn’t get any cheaper than that.

Lucky for me this year’s Halloween forecast in my neck of the woods is 71 degrees with clear skies. And a full moon, of course.

Photo Credit: Juhan Sonin

***

(This article was originally published on October 25, 2009.)

Related Posts:
  • 10 Unique Halloween Treats That Kids Love — But Rarely Get!10 Unique Halloween Treats That Kids Love — But Rarely Get!
  • 13 Yucky Halloween Treats Kids Would Rather Toss Than Eat13 Yucky Halloween Treats Kids Would Rather Toss Than Eat
  • Cheap Cooking: Fantastic Frugal Meal Ideas from Past and PresentCheap Cooking: Fantastic Frugal Meal Ideas from Past and Present

7 Comments October 17, 2016

Comments

  1. 1

    Jennifer says

    April 20, 2011 at 8:48 pm

    Come on now! Where’s the picture of YOUR costume Len? lol

    Reply
  2. 2

    Bret says

    April 20, 2011 at 8:48 pm

    I imagine these costume ideas aren’t going to be very popular.

    Halloween is a big social event and having a lame costume has to be avoided at all costs.

    The great news for me is that my daughter just got her first job. So, she can now afford to buy her own costume. πŸ˜‰ I hope it’s not too trampy.

    Reply
  3. 3

    Len Penzo says

    April 20, 2011 at 8:48 pm

    @Jennifer: Mine was way too scary to show on this blog. πŸ˜‰ But thanks for your interest!

    @Bret: What? Are you calling my designs “LAME?” I’m hurt. I actually put a lot – okay, a little bit – of effort into designing these costumes. Even if they ARE lame, you have to admit the price is right – unless you think they are so lame that FREE! would still be considered overpaying. Please don’t answer that. πŸ˜‰

    Reply
  4. 4

    MLR says

    April 20, 2011 at 8:48 pm

    As a past little leaguer, I burst out laughing @ “Comment: To make the costume scary, tape a stat sheet to Junior’s back that highlights his .121 batting average.”

    Oh, you never cease to please πŸ™‚

    Reply
  5. 5

    Len Penzo says

    April 20, 2011 at 8:48 pm

    Yeah, MLR, that one definitely hit close to home for me too! πŸ™‚

    Reply
  6. 6

    Bret says

    April 20, 2011 at 8:48 pm

    Len,

    I only meant LAME from the standpoint of the kids.

    For us married folks, who have no social life, free is always preferred.

    I have been wearing my Desert Storm fatigues ever since I lost the bomber jacket.

    Reply
  7. 7

    Lily says

    November 1, 2011 at 5:39 am

    Wow hilarious πŸ™‚ great ideas

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Question of the Week:

Which would you rather find?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Recent Posts

  • Want to Budget Your Medical Costs? These 6 Tips Will Get You Started
  • Comparing the Costs of Various Emergency Food Supply Options
  • Black Coffee: And … It’s Gone
  • How to Get the Most for Your Money on a Gaming Vacation
  • Grandfather Says: A Lesson on Real Estate Development
  • 4 Things Everyone Should Know About the Cost of Growing Old
  • Fun Things to Do in New York City for Free
  • Powerful It Is: How Compound Interest Is Like the Force
  • Black Coffee: Credit Stiffs, Corporate Zombies and the Walking Dead
  • U.S. Credit Card Debt Surpasses $1 Trillion

Disclaimer

This site is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and the content herein should not be mistaken for professional financial advice. This website accepts advertising in the form of monetary and other compensation; as such, topics of discussion are occasionally influenced by these advertisers. Ultimately, you and you alone are responsible for the decisions you make in life, so please contact an independent financial professional for advice regarding your unique personal situation.

Popular Now:

  1. 1. A Simple Trick for Getting Credit Card Interest Charges Waived
  2. 2. 4 Ways Duct Tape Can Fix Your Personal Finances
  3. 3. 7 Skills My Immigrant Parents Taught Me
  4. 4. 6 Good Habits You Can Employ to Improve Your Finances
  5. 5. How Choosing Credit or Debit Is Like Picking Salad Dressing
  6. 6. 8 Ways to Make Money on Your Morning Commute
  7. 7. 7 Awesome Reasons Why You Should Use a Roth IRA for Retirement Savings
  8. 8. 8 Really Useful Money-Saving Tips Every Family Should Consider
  9. 9. Why Insurance Companies Don’t Want You to Know About Concierge Doctors
  10. 10. 7 Great Careers That Don’t Require a Lot of Experience to Start

All-Time Most Popular:

  1. 1. 19 Things Your Suburban Millionaire Neighbor Won’t Tell You
  2. 2. Dear Friend: Here Are 41 Reasons Why I’m NOT Lending You the Money
  3. 3. Why Your Expensive Luxury Car Doesn’t Impress Smart People
  4. 4. If You Can’t Live on $40,000 Annually It’s Your Own Fault
  5. 5. 21 Reasons Why Corner Lots Are for Suckers
  6. 6. 18 Fast Facts About Social Security Numbers
  7. 7. My Ketchup Taste Test: Upset! Guess Which Brand Topped Heinz
  8. 8. The Great Paper Towel Test: Which Brand Is Your Best Value?
  9. 9. 12 Good Reasons Why You Should (and Should Not) Pay Off Your Mortgage Early
  10. 10. 9 Great Gifts for People Who Have Everything

 

Copyright © 2018 Len Penzo dot Com · All Rights Reserved · Designed by Nuts and Bolts Media

7ads6x98y