No-spend Halloween
<div class="user-question">Hi Frich! Every Halloween I impulse-buy stuff I don’t need (costumes, candy, decor) and regret it the next day. Do you have any suggestions? I obviously want to join in on the fun & enjoy spooky season but I don’t want to feel financially anxious about the whole thing.</div>
Every October, it happens: you swear you’ll have a lowkey Halloween - and then, suddenly, you’re impulse-buying a costume, a pumpkin-shaped candy bowl, and “necessary” cobweb decor. You use it once & feel guilty the next morning.
This year, we'll show you how to turn Halloween profitable.
I’m Julia O’Mara, co-founder of Pickle, and I'm so happy that you're asking this question! Keep reading because we'll show you how to avoid unnecessary spending & actual make money this Halloween!
<div class="frich-tip">Frich tip: Pickle is a fashion-rental app that lets you rent from closets in your city for same-day delivery or to reserve ahead. It’s free to download, and there are no subscriptions - because we know you don’t need another one of those! Use the code FRICH20 to get $20 off your first rental. </div>
1️⃣ Rethink the “Costume” mentality
Before panic-scrolling Amazon, open your own closet. Most of the best Halloween looks start with real clothing - things that make you feel confident, not cartoonish.
Here are 5 easy costume ideas you can pull from your own closet:
- The Devil Wears Prada – All black outfit or a belted dress, killer heels, big sunglasses, and a folder labeled “Runway.” Add a dry “That’s all” and you’re Miranda Priestly for the night.
- Coastal Cowgirl (a.k.a. the TikTok Trend in Human Form) – White or cream dress, cowboy boots, gold jewelry, and loose waves. Add a denim jacket and a glass of rosé if you’re feeling extra. It’s giving ‘yee-haw but make it chic’.
- Gossip Girl Reboot (Serena & Blair Core) – Mini skirt, tall boots, silk top or blazer, and a headband or tie.
- Group idea: Your Favorite Cocktails – Grab your girls and challenge each other to dress as your favorite cocktails using what’s already in your closet.
- Couple idea: Bella Hadid & Her Cowboy (aka Adan Banuelos) – For her: denim mini or low-rise jeans, corset or white tank, cowboy boots, and braids. For him: button-down, jeans, boots, and a belt buckle.
<div class="frich-tip">Frich tip: renting lets you pull off an iconic look for one night without committing to the price tag. Use code FRICH for $20 off your first rental — whether it’s a Halloween costume or the next time you don’t want to buy something you’ll only wear once (think: weddings, themed birthdays, or ski trips).</div>
2️⃣ Make the pre-party part of the party
Before you buy another cart of “haunted” home décor, repurpose what you already have for a festive setup - and, turn it into a pre-Halloween soirée with your friends! Think:
- Empty wine bottles as candle holders or write cheeky “potion” labels. Ask each friend to bring one empty wine bottle with them!
- Existing jewelry scattered across your table for “witchy glam” energy
- Pillowcases or sheets draped over mirrors or chairs for instant ghostly vibes
- Black ribbon around glasses or napkins for subtle spooky details
- Take any photo frames, flip the images around, and write spooky quotes on the back with lipstick
- Freeze leftover red wine in cubes and drop them into prosecco or soda for a “bloody” cocktail that’s actually aesthetic
Add a quick costume swap moment with your friends. It’s a low-effort way to refresh your look, and you might just walk away with your friend’s sequin top as the perfect Halloween solution.
Bonus: Turn last year’s impulse buys into $$$
Feeling guilty about last Halloween’s impulse-buy costume? Or maybe you’re going out the week before and don’t want to repeat?
List your costume on Pickle. You can earn money back, give it a second life, and contribute to a more sustainable fashion cycle.
The more you list, the more you earn. Our top lenders in October make hundreds from renting out pieces that are already in their closets (think dresses, corsets, sets, and accessories).
<div class="frich-tip">Frich tip: We see people earn $75–$300+ in a single weekend just from renting out their Halloween looks. This is your sign 😉</div>
Found this valuable? Here are some more deep dives from the Frich team 🤝
✅ How can I have fun if I have no money?
✅ How do I actually build wealth in my 20s?
Have fun & manifesting that you can make some good money that can be then used for holiday gifts 🔮
Julia O’Mara, Co-Founder of Pickle
