Tag: saving money

Parents Are DIY-ing Halloween Costumes… Because Apparently We All Have Free Time

October is here, so it’s crunch time for parents who promised to make their kids’ Halloween costumes.

A new survey says 52% of parents are going the DIY route this year, especially in Colorado, Iowa, California, Maryland, and Arkansas. Somewhere out there, a mom is already crying into a pile of felt.

Money is the big motivator. Store-bought costumes are averaging more than $70, while a handmade creation usually runs under $40. That’s a huge deal if you’ve got more than one kid, because nothing says “spooky” like spending $210 on matching polyester jumpsuits… that get worn once… and disintegrate before next Halloween.

But it’s not just about cash.

Parents say homemade costumes feel more creative, unique, and sometimes just… necessary, since the store-bought options are either flimsy, overpriced, or completely sold out.

For some families, it’s even a tradition. (The tradition being: panic-shopping at Michaels on October 29th.)

Then there’s the social media pressure. A whopping 81% of parents say they feel the need to make costumes Instagram-worthy. Idaho parents are the most stressed about it, followed by those in Missouri and Connecticut. Nothing says Halloween spirit like comparing your kid’s glue-gun disaster to a Pinterest mom’s hand-stitched masterpiece.

As for what kids are demanding, Pokémon is still going strong, Taylor Swift costumes are in the mix, and Labubu is unfortunately a thing.

You’ll also see the classics (witches, skeletons, vampires, werewolves) and of course superheroes.

And then there are “unique creations,” which is code for “your kid saw it on YouTube once, and now you’re up at 2 a.m. turning a cardboard box into something unrecognizable.”

So here’s wishing all the crafty parents good luck. May your glue sticks last, your sewing machine not jam, and your child not suddenly decide they actually want to be Elsa… the day before Halloween.

You Can Reduce the Cost of Your Wedding… By Selling Tickets?

The average wedding now costs $33,000, which works out to about $284 per guest. That’s a lot of money to feed Aunt Carol, who will still complain that the chicken was “a little dry.” And it’s really hard to find ways to save a meaningful amount of money.

But now, there’s a new French app called Invitin that basically lets you sell tickets to your wedding.

Before you clutch your pearls, it’s not about charging your friends and family admission (although, let’s be honest, a few relatives would deserve it). This is for strangers… actual paying wedding crashers. You pick how many tickets to sell, price them anywhere from $100 to $200 (or more if your venue is fancy), and then let randos come eat your food, dance to your playlist, and cry during your vows like they’ve known you since kindergarten.

It’s not a total free-for-all, though.

Couples can “approve” ticket buyers after seeing their profiles first, and guests must follow a strict code: dress nice, show up on time, drink like an adult, and keep their phone in their pocket unless they have permission to post.

So, basically, they have to act better than some actual family members.

There are some obvious logistics to figure out. The wedding planner has to seat these people somewhere (maybe “Table 9: The Misfits”), and alert the photographer so you don’t end up with an album full of, “Wait, who’s that?”

Right now, Invitin is just a small French startup, but if it takes off, you can bet it’ll hit the U.S., or inspire something similar. Give it a couple years and you’ll be RSVPing “Yes” to a wedding you found on Eventbrite, showing up with a gift card, and telling the bride, “I loved your ceremony. By the way, what’s your name again?”

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