In Case You Missed It - Halloween Will Be 14% More Expensive This Year

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ICYMI: Halloween Will Be 14% More Expensive This Year

In case you missed it, new analysis from The Balance shows inflation will haunt your wallets this Halloween, with some items as much as 14% more expensive than last year. Cookies and candy were the most impacted by inflation, costing 14.3% and 10.9% more than last year respectively.

Carving jack-o'-lanterns will also be a more pricey activity, as pumpkins have jumped in price by over 7% since Halloween 2021. The average cost for a large pumpkin will cost you about $6.10, up from $5.69 last year.

Overall prices have increased 8.3% since last year due to inflation, hitting consumers' wallets and forcing shoppers to spend more of their income on necessities and holiday celebrations.

But food items aren't the only goods that have gotten more expensive. Costumes are also pricier, with costs up 6% from a year ago, as supply chain snarls have caused shortages in stores.

There is some good news for anyone looking to enjoy their Halloween with a cocktail: Liquor prices only rose 1.7%, the smallest price jump on the list.

- Kristin

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Term of the Day

Discretionary Expenses

Discretionary expenses are those that are desirable, but you have discretion (or individual choice) over whether to spend on them or not. To determine whether something is a discretionary expense, consider whether it's a want or a need.

You need food, but you don't need it to come from a restaurant. So, groceries are a variable expense, but dining out is a discretionary expense. Other examples of discretionary expenses include entertainment, personal care products and services, gifts, and vacations, to name a few.

Off the Charts

Inflation is making Halloween a lot pricier this year—below are some of the prices you can expect on Halloween staples like candy and pumpkins.