Halloween's over, which means it's prime time to haunt those clearance aisles.
In the coming days and weeks, check the markdowns at Target, WalMart, supermarkets and the drugstores.
Retailers typically start their Halloween clearance at 50 percent off before going to 75 percent off and eventually 90 percent.
While tucking away costumes, paper products and decorations for next year's celebration can save you plenty, here are a few more ideas for making the most out of Halloween clearance:
*If your kids are in the dress-up phase, purchase costumes on the cheap for a dress-up trunk. Spend a few dollars to assemble a great birthday, Christmas or Hannukah gift.
*Check the grocery aisles for Halloween-themed items. In years past, I've found cookies, cereals, pretzels, chips, cake mixes, hand soaps and sandwich bags. Who really cares if there's a pumpkin on the package? And an Oreo with orange cream tastes exactly the same as one with white filling. The only difference is the price.
*Clearance candy can be turned into decor for gingerbread houses at Christmas.
*Halloween chocolates can be used for baking.
*Chocolates wrapped in gold and orange foils can be repurposed for Thanksgiving.
*Paper plates and napkins can be used year-round. Why pay $2 for a package of white paper plates if you can score a similar-sized package of Halloween plates for 50 cents?
*Also look for solid colored paper producs, such has black, orange or purple, and use them for other occassions. Orange could be used for a child's birthday party or Thanksgivng. Purple can be used at Easter or for a child's party. And black is perfect for graduation parties and those milestone birthdays for adults.
Please share your ideas for saving big on Halloween clearance.
