KENNEDY J . GILBERTSON

What is it about fall that makes it one of the most loved seasons of the year? The summer heat starts to disappear, the trees change colors, and suddenly there are more excuses than ever to be outside. Maybe you have vivid memories of leaping into a pile of red and yellow leaves, roasting marshmallows over a crackling fire, or playing football in the backyard. And then there’s Halloween…

America loves Halloween. What other night can you dress like a hot dog and eat all your favorite childhood sweets without having someone judge you? The problem is we may love it a little too much.

According to a consumer spending survey, it’s projected that Americans will spend somewhere in the neighborhood of $7 billion (that’s “billion” with a “B”) on Halloween this year. That means the average American will spend over $70 on the holiday!

If you’re tight on cash, that figure may sound scary. But the good news is it doesn’t have to be. You can buy as little as you like and still have a great time. Try these five simple tricks for your family’s Halloween treats:

1. Costume Games

Instead of buying a $40 Iron Man or other Marvel Comic costume for each of your kids, or sewing some rough-looking versions from scratch – turn it into a family game. Think ‘Project Runway’ meets ‘Supermarket Sweep’.