Sometimes, the scariest thing about celebrating Halloween can be the expense of it all.
But scoring the coolest costumes doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot of money.
Rather than spending hard-earned money on a new costly costume, why not make one yourself?
Homemade costumes can save you money and keep items from ending up in a landfill. Repurposing and restyling old clothes for a new look is a great way to use your resources.
A little bit of imagination and creativity — and maybe some fabric paint — can turn an old T-shirt into a one-of-a-kind costume.
Don’t know where to start?
You can find great examples and directions for inexpensive, creative costuming at www.Americasaves.org.
Here are two ideas:
●Identity Thief: Write different names on a number of name tags and tape them to your body. You now have the identity of each of those people, and you are officially a — make believe — identity thief.
●Website Error: This one simply requires a white shirt, marker and a snarky attitude.
Draw the words: "Error 404: costume not found" on the shirt, and you immediately become a website error. See more at http://bit.ly/1Pxohrr.
Having children make up their costume can inspire creativity and pride. For a child, the ability to complete and show off a project can boost self-esteem. Getting the family involved is a must.
Parents can help with things like hot glue and scissors, all while spending time with each other completing a fun, memorable project, instead of sitting silently in front of the television.
For more tips or help saving money, contact me at the extension office, 689-5850 or jbreslawski@ufl.edu; take the America Saves Pledge at www.okaloosasaves.org; and follow Okaloosa Saves on Facebook and Twitter.
Jill Breslawski is an agent at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension office in Crestview.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: BRESLAWSKI: Save money — make your Halloween costume