Usually, after Halloween is over, the Christmas items go on sale, along with one or two obligatory shelves for Thanksgiving items. While people flock to these displays, almost no one notices the Halloween items, sitting at the back. If you happen to take a look, though, you'll discover some incredible discounts on Halloween items.

Now that Halloween is over, the stores are trying to unload the rest of the Halloween-themed merchandise, and they don't mind slashing prices dramatically in order to do so. These discounts usually range between 30 – 50 %, but sometimes they can rise up as high as 75%. These after-Halloween sales can be an incredible savings opportunity for you.

Here are Five Fantastic After-Halloween Sales to Look For

After-Halloween Sale #1: Halloween Candy

Most stores slash the price of Halloween candy the day after Halloween. Even better, most of this candy doesn't have a Halloween-themed label, which means you can use it for many other situations. You can use discounted Halloween candy for occasions like:

• parties
• stocking stuffers
• office gifts
• classroom treats

The more events you know about in advance, the more candy you can buy now to make sure you have an ample supply. This isn't just a good way to help you stick to budgets for events. You can even snatch a couple of pieces for yourself as a reward for a job well done.

How long does Halloween candy last?

• Super soft candies like peanut butter cups, caramels and candy corns can last for 6-9 months
• White chocolate and milk chocolate should last for 8-10 months
• Jelly beans and hard candies can last for a year
• Dark chocolate should last for up to two years

Make your money last as long as Halloween candy by making a monthly budget

After-Halloween Sale #2: Costumes and Costume Accessories

Cheap costumes abound after Halloween. While you might want to stay away from some of the trendy or fad costumes, there are some Halloween clearance costumes that almost guaranteed to be perennial favorites. These can include:

• Pirates
• Superheroes
• Clowns
• Wizards
• Princesses
• Knights

Even if you can't find a whole costume on sale that you like, you can always search Halloween deals for costume accessories. These are fantastic items that can also be used to enhance a child's toy box, as props for a play or even as raw materials for costumers.

After-Halloween Sale #3: Decor and Decorations

If you like the idea of decorating your home for Halloween but don't want to break the bank, you'll love the deals stores give on their Halloween decor and decorations. You'll get discounts on everything from candle holders to huge inflatable spooky decorations and everything in between.

In order to maximize your savings on these decorations, you may want to make a wish list of the kinds of decorations you would like. You might also want to download a price comparison app to your smartphone, such as Shopular or ShopSavvy to make sure you're getting the best deal.

After-Halloween Sale #4: Cooking and Dining Supplies

You'll find a lot of fall-themed cooking and dining supplies on sale once November hits. Expect to find paper plates, napkins and plastic silverware go on sale. You might also find Halloween-themed placemats, cookie cutters, tumblers, silicone molds and aprons, among many other items.

Stores also like to discount their Halloween-themed food items too, such as cake mixes and haunted house kits. With a little ingenuity, you can use components of these kits and use them for your own creations. This can also be an excellent strategy to help you avoid overspending during the winter holidays. 

After-Halloween Sale #5: Candles

Nothing helps create a mysterious atmosphere quite like candles. However, candles can also create a warm, homey atmosphere as well. Tea lights seem to be on sale after Halloween, and many people like to use them to help accentuate their Christmas decorations, too.

You can also buy up regular-sized candlesticks to use in your holiday decorations. You might also want to consider buying some Halloween candles for next year's Halloween decorations, since you can keep candles around forever.

Where can I find the biggest discounts on clearance Halloween costumes and decorations?

You can find some of the best after-Halloween sales on costumes and decorations at major retail stores like Walmart, Target, and Party City. Additionally, online platforms such as Amazon and Etsy often offer great deals and a wide selection of Halloween-themed sale items after Halloween.

Can I get after-Halloween sales at Sprit Halloween?

When most people think of Halloween costumes and accessories, they usually think of seasonal Halloween stores like Spirit Halloween. These stores are usually open for a few days after October 31, so you can get deals on spooky decor, Halloween inflatables and even pet costumes. Just be aware that after Halloween, all sales will be final.

Wondering how to make your holiday budget stretch further? Ask us!

Make Some Scarily Good Money Moves With First Alliance Credit Union

While buying Halloween items is a lot of fun, shopping after-Halloween sales also lets you stretch your dollars to get more items and save more money. It can also help you when budgeting for the winter holidays, or even next Halloween. 

Once you're done shopping, put the money you saved into a First Alliance Credit Union savings account. You can use this money to give your savings account a boost or invest it to help you meet your financial goals. Both ways have been known to send chills of anticipation down people's spines.

What are the best after-Halloween sales you've discovered? Let us know on Facebook!