Novel way Californians are scrimping on Halloween amid cost of living crisis: ‘Hanging in there’

Families in California are trimming Halloween budgets, even as national spending on the holiday is forecast to set a record.

The National Retail Federation projects Americans will spend $13.5 billion on Halloween this year but Californians are splitting purchases between stores, buying smaller pumpkins and settling for cheaper costumes amid high living costs.

Compared to national averages, California grocery costs run roughly 11% higher, with gas about 40% higher and utility bills roughly 61% higher.

Aaron Rickey, owner of the Rickey Ranch Pumpkin Patch in Granite Bay, says customers have become more careful. He described pumpkins as something of a luxury for some households this year. 

“People are being a little tighter. This is more a luxury to get any pumpkins … It’s been a little bit less, but we’ve been hanging in there good,” he told CBS News. 

Chris Cummings, who lives in Antelope, said his family spreads its shopping across several sources to keep the total down.

“Get some of it there, some of it on Amazon. Split it up however you can,” Cummings told the news outlet. 

The survey also found that 26% of shoppers plan to look for coupons or sales, and 31% say they will compare prices when something costs more than they expected.

Connie Rodgers of Sacramento said her family skips the largest pumpkins at the patch and goes for medium ones, which she considers easier to carve and less wasteful. 

She wants her kids to have a good time on Halloween, she said, but also wants them to learn what things cost. 

“When it comes to the kids, I don’t really care. We’re going to, within reason, and make them understand the value of the dollar, but we want to give them something fun,” she told CBS News.

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