Fall may feel like the season of cozy comforts, but it’s also one of the easiest times of year to overspend and break your budget.
Not only are we approaching the holiday spending season, but everything from pumpkin spice beverages to fall décor, Halloween costumes and visiting the local pumpkin patch can often snowball into bigger costs than most people realize. Below are fall trends that could cost you more money than they should.
Also here are top stores to shop for fall items on a budget.
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Pumpkin Spice
It’s pumpkin spice latte season, but before you order your PSL, keep in mind that the “pumpkin spice tax” means you’re likely paying a premium compared to a standard latte.
According to Empower’s The Pumpkin Premium study, 44% of Americans say tariffs and inflation are making pumpkin-flavored items more expensive. However, 54% say they still look forward to purchasing these specialties every season. The same analysis found that millennials spend the most, averaging $64 per month on pumpkin spice-flavored products during the fall.
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Fall Décor
Before the leaves even start to turn, many people pull out the fall pillows, wreaths and new candles to bring in the new season. Fall décor can add a festive touch to the home, but they do add up.
Many décor items are marked as seasonal or limited-edition, which often leads retailers to charge more. For example, the Fairhaven Dollar Tree in Massachusetts recently had Halloween items marked $1 or $2 higher than what was printed underneath the red price sticker, WBSM reported. There were also $20 inflatables marked $10 underneath — a 100% markup.
Pumpkin Patches
It may seem like you’d get a better deal by picking your own pumpkin at the pumpkin patch. It cuts out the middleman at the grocery store, but farms often charge more for the experience.
According to the Krazy Coupon Lady, stores sell pumpkins either per pound or at a flat rate, averaging around 30 cents to 50 cents per pound. If you’re paying more than 40 cents per pound, you’re likely overpaying. On the other hand, One Hundred Dollars a Month found that their local pumpkin patches sold mini pumpkins for $4 each, regular pumpkins for 79 cents per pound and heirloom pumpkins for up to $1.29 per pound.
Halloween Costumes
If you really want a trendy Halloween costume, you’ll find better prices after Halloween or by buying secondhand.
WCPO reported that a brand new Halloween costume can cost $50 or more, but it’s possible to find the same or similar costumes for under $10 at places like Once Upon a Child. You can also find better deals at Goodwill or Salvation Army or by searching for deals online.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 4 Fall Trends That Are Costing You More Money Than They Should
