Sure, Halloween is coming up, but stores have been rolling out Halloween gear since August, and it’s making some shoppers mad.
While the holiday can be fun, here are some reasons some people may be frustrated with trying to save money on groceries and home decor while dodging the Halloween aisle months early.
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1. It’s wasteful
You might find something that’s unique and snap it up before anyone else can get to it, but you also may discover it’s more wasteful than one-of-a-kind when you unpack your Halloween decorations and find similar items in the stash in your basement.
Own a car? Here's 7 warning signs you're paying too much for car insurance. 2. Christmas is coming too soon
An early Halloween gives retailers an excuse to bump up when they put out other holiday decorations.
“I love Christmas and I love Halloween, but part of what makes them special is that they only happen for a short time each year,” said one Redditor. “One event/holiday/season bleeding into the next is intrusive.”
3. The quality is going down
Some shoppers may be excited to see Halloween in stores, but the rush to get things on the shelves is starting to cause the quality of products to go down, something that many online holiday fans have noted.
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4. Things sell out quickly
Putting new Halloween items on the shelf in July or August means shoppers feel stressed out buying them now so they don’t get sold out closer to the holiday.
“The only reason I bought that early was because I didn’t want the stuff I wanted to sell out,” lamented a Redditor.
5. Craft stores have had it for months already
Did you know many craft stores are getting Halloween supplies as early as July so crafters can make Halloween creations to sell and ship in the fall?
This means by the time October rolls around, we’re so over seeing Halloween stuff everywhere.
6. It’s become a year-round thing
Some people like Halloween so much that they’ll decorate with a dark palette and a slightly spooky feel regardless of whether it’s October or March, blurring the lines of when the actual “season” starts and ends.
“Halloween decor has quickly become annual decor for many people,” complained on Reddit user.
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Stores are pushing holidays too early for every holiday and it can be stressful thinking about Halloween in July.
“I shouldn't have to purchase specific holiday items four to five months in advance,” says one Redditor.
8. It pushes out stuff you want
Some people are inspired by the summer weather to buy something summery, only to be met with a wall of Halloween items instead, leading to great disappointment.
9. It takes over Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is right after Halloween, but putting out Halloween decor early leads to stores jumping straight from the spooky holiday to Christmas.
Instead, Thanksgiving stuff now tends to get lumped in with general fall decor, which many people don’t like.
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Bottom line
It can be frustrating to see holiday decor already on the shelves, but some shopping hacks can help you save money on Halloween.
If you have some flexibility with what you’re buying, consider going to stores after Halloween to buy discounted decor for the following year. You can also check out local free groups for people who are getting rid of their Halloween decor in November so you can grab it for next season.
Money tips that can work for everyone
No matter what your bank account balance is, there's always an opportunity to optimize and improve your finances. Here's a quick checklist of things you can look at today.
Focus on paying off your debt. Debt can hold you back from making progress with your overall financial well-being. Aside from cutting expenses, there are tools that can help you pay off debt faster like balance transfer credit cards and debt counseling.
Earning extra income can give you breathing room. If finances are tight, earning some extra money to supplement your income can make a huge difference. A new job is one option to consider, but if you're not ready to make a big change or already retired, a part-time side job could be a better choice.
Cut your expenses. It sounds painful and so not fun, but it doesn't have to be. Take a look at your biggest expenses because that's where you'll probably find the biggest savings. For example, auto insurance rates have been soaring so shopping around for a new insurance company can be the fastest way to cut your bill. Also, look for ways to cut your grocery bill (despite rising inflation).
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