Americans Are Projected to Spend $8.4 Billion on Halloween This Year

Like all American holidays, Halloween is really about one thing: buying stuff. Between decorations, costumes (for you and your dog), candy, and greeting cards from your grandma, Americans are expected to spend a total of $8.4 billion in preparation for this Halloween, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual survey, spotted by Fatherly.

That number seems even more insane when you consider that last year, Americans spent $6.98 billion. This year’s estimate is the highest ever in the survey’s 11-year history. The average U.S. resident is projected to spend about $83 on Halloween-related purchases.

In an ideal world, you'd be spending your whole $83 on candy, but 67 percent of people also plan to buy costumes for themselves, their kids, and their pets, and 70 percent plan to plunk down cash for some new decorations.

Now would probably be a good time to start Googling “cheap Halloween ideas.”

[h/t Fatherly]

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