A mum has revealed how she’s saving a fortune on Halloween by making party guests bring their own food and using bin bags for decorations.

Charlotte Deering, 27, is a self-proclaimed “savvy spender” who shares her top tips on how to see your money go further and previously hit the headlines after planning her wedding for less than £2,000.

With Halloween less than a week away, and people across the globe looking forward to celebrating the spooky holiday, there are costumes, parties, and trick-or-treating to prepare for.

But for many, the cost of living crisis has left little to spend and in a bid to help struggling parents, the stay-at-home mum has shared her advice for a frightful, yet frugal, bash.

And she claims the methods have saved her a minimum of £80.

“I have never been one to spend loads on Halloween and I was brought up wearing bin bags as a costume,” Charlotte, from Cheshire, told http://NeedToKnow.co.uk .

“It was amazing, as we didn’t have to go overboard for only one day.

“Most of the time, it’s good to get creative, as many costumes and decorations can be made from items already found in every household.

“I’m a firm believer in reduce, reuse and recycle – so make up free games, use last year’s costume again, as it doesn’t have to be expensive at all.

“One important tip; toilet roll can be used to make anything look mummified.”

Here are her top tips, which she often shares on her Instagram, (@themoneyferret ), with her 12,700 followers.

DIY DECORATIONS

While it’s tempting to step into high street shops and purchase novelty items, such as pumpkin placemats or plastic skulls, the mum believes these are “wasteful.”

She said: “It’s wasteful buying new things every year and if you do buy anything, limit the amount spent.

“Buy an item only once and reuse it every year thereafter.

“Use bin bags or paper to make spider webs and use any leftover material to make the spider which can be pinned on.

“It’s great to get the kids involved, as they can be tasked with colouring in their own web to make it their own.

“All you need is scissors, a pen, the material of choice, and some tape.”

COSTUME SWAP

Each year, there’s a new “must have” costume – from Barbie to Wednesday Addams – and often, shops make the most of the hype by racking up their prices.

For Charlotte, she believes that keeping costumes simple is key, as these can be easily reused the following year – or swapped with others to keep things exciting.

The 27-year-old said: “If you’ve got kids of similar ages, have them do a costume swap.

“This way, they’ll still get to wear something different from the year before, totally free.

“I also think it’s great to do the same with friends to mix things up and before you know it, you’ll be back to your old costume, and it’ll feel brand new again.”

If swapping isn’t your thing, look at charity shops for trustworthy bargains.

She said: “I look in them every year to see what people have donated from the previous year.

“Even if you can get an old shirt and tie, that’ll do the job perfectly.

“I got a devil costume a few years ago for £1 and I’ve been re-wearing it each year.

“Also, look in Poundland or Home Bargains for fake blood or makeup to really make the costume pop.

“Don’t be fooled by the hype, as it’s not a competition.”

BRING-YOUR-OWN

According to NimbleFins, a money comparison website, the average UK household is now spending 12.2% more on their food bill per week.

When it comes to hosting Halloween parties, this only makes the weekly food shop more expensive and often, there’s lots of waste leftover – but Charlotte says not to be afraid of asking guests to bring their own.

She said: “Ask everyone to bring something so it isn’t as costly and set a price.

“For example, last year, we all spent £4 each and we’ll do that again this year.

“Usually, people don’t want to waste the food they have bought, so there’s much less leftover after the party has ended.”

And for the kids, there are cheap ways to make the food exciting and on theme.

Charlotte said: “We put jelly eyes into a cauldron which only costs around £3 to make, so the children can fish their own eyeball out.

“Another few food ideas we do are rice crispy cake spider webs, use near out-of-date oranges with celery on top to create edible pumpkins, and banana ghosts using chocolate chips as eyes.

“Also, to make the most of your pumpkin, use the insides to bump up your pet’s dinner, or leave it outside for wildlife to feast on.”

The mum, claims she used to spend upwards of £100 on Halloween in a bid to make the most of the holiday – but now, she only forks out £20 or less.

She previously revealed that her wedding gown only cost £10 from Tesco, as she likes to practice being frugal in each part of her life, and, how to ensure nothing ever goes to waste.

Charlotte added: “I have always been savvy and want to save money, so I look in charity shops and use discount codes for everything.

“I find it challenging to get the best deals and now, I refuse to pay full price – and I love a good dupe.

“Just take a look around your house and you’ll be surprised what can be made into something special for free.”

ENDS