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Halloween Costumes on a Budget

One of the best parts about Halloween is getting the chance to dress up in a costume. Buying a pre-packaged costume can be quite expensive, especially if you are planning on wearing it only once. Some of the best costumes are those that are produced with the most creativity, and don't always cost a lot.

This year, frugal creativity can come from many places:

• Thrift Store. The local thrift store is the best place to start your search for a unique, affordable costume. Inexpensive, lightly used clothes and accessories can be used for many costume ideas.
• People's Closets. Search for items in your family members,' friends' or even your own closet. Check out your parent's or grandparent's closets for vintage costume ideas. Or, transform clothes that you seldom wear into something extraordinary. Just be sure you have permission before you alter other people's clothes.

Halloween Costume Ideas

If you're short on costume ideas, try one of these low-cost, homemade options:

• News Reporter in Hurricane
  Wear a poncho with a news network logo on it. Put wire inside to make it look like it's blowing to one side. Attach debris (papers, leaves, etc.) to the other side. Use gel to make your hair look wet, messy and blown in the wind. Carry a microphone covered with a plastic bag.
• Static Cling
  Wear any kind of mismatched clothes, pin one pant leg up and then pin dryer sheets on yourself. Pin small items like socks or small towels as well. Use hair gel or hairspray to make your hair look like it has static.
• King of Pop
  Attach soda cans all over yourself. Wear a cape and crown, and carry a scepter.
• Driver's License
  Take a large piece of cardboard and decorate it to look like a driver's license. Where the photo should be, cut out a place for your face. Attach it to a stick that you can carry in your hand.
• Pig in a Blanket
  Dress in a pig costume (pink shirt and pants, pig nose, ears and curly tail) and then wrap yourself in a blanket.

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