Nothing says Halloween better than going trick-or-treat. Whether you take your kids around the neighborhood or stay home to pass out candy to the ghosts and goblins, Halloween always brings out the little child in all of us. That’s why it’s so fun.

The price of candy around this season is enough to send shivers down your spine. As a Halloween shopper, let’s be honest, we all need multiple bags to ensure we have enough to go around. Don’t be spooked by festive expenses. With these six tips to save money, you can survive Halloween candy shopping without destroying your budget.

Time it right

The best time to shop for Halloween candy is exactly four days before. And the worst time to buy candy is the day before. The grocery stores bump up prices based on the lack of selection and last-minute shoppers who are willing to buy whatever’s available.

That means you can wait until the week of Halloween to shop for candy, actually only till October 27 — that is if you think you’ll be tempted to eat the candy yourself before Halloween.

Coupons: Your Halloween BFF

You don’t need magic spells or substantial savings for candy shopping. Just be on the lookout for candy coupons in September and October, when they arrive in abundance.

Most of us tend to toss coupons that come in the mail, but during the month of Halloween, coupons will save you a good chunk of change. Since stores are all competing with one another to offer the best deal on candy, prices are bound to drop from the beginning of the month.

Don’t fret if you can’t keep the coupons in your mailbox. You will find a ton of those online or even at your local grocery stores on all the premium brands. What a way to be known as the best house for candy on the block right?

Beyond the Halloween aisle

It’s hard not to catch the Halloween candy aisle when you step into a store. The big fancy signs and packaging are almost in your face. But know that non-spooky-looking goodies are still an option. In fact, they’re cheaper! Take a few steps further and you’ll see a regular candy aisle. If you compare prices with Halloween candy, you’ll be surprised.

Often, there are better deals on those candy aisles. Yes, even for full-size candy bars, when bought in bulk. The best part is they cost much lesser than a huge bag of Halloween sweets. There is the added bonus of all the kids talking about how cool you are for giving out full-size candy.

Also know about: Trick or Treat

Stock ahead

You know what’s better than waiting until the last minute, buying off of clearance sales on post-Halloween candy. Mark your calendar for November 1 if you want to cash in on discounts up to 75% off. If you wait too long, with such low prices, other shoppers will scoop it in the blink of an eye.

Yes, we understand that your biggest worry right now is if it will spoil before Halloween next year. Candies stay fresh for about a year. But be sure to check the expiration dates and store them in a cool, dry place.

All year long

Some candy won’t make it a year. Especially if you have kids at home savoring it whenever they feel like it. But you can take advantage of sales that happen after holidays by stocking up on candy.

We all know that candy is central to most holidays like Valentine’s Day, Easter, the Fourth of July and Christmas. Usually, after all these holidays, stores tend to have clearance sales on leftover candy. Clearance sales on candy aren’t exclusive just to Halloween. Moreover, kids who trick-or-treat don’t care what the candy is shaped like. They only care that it’s delicious.

Go big or go home

Expecting a lot of trick-or-treaters this year? Buy the big bag of candy instead of several smaller ones. Standard rules that apply to grocery shopping apply even for candy shopping. They are almost always cheaper when you buy in bulk — candy’s no exception.

Most times, a 100-piece bag of Halloween candy is a better deal than buying five 20-piece bags. Do a price check, look for sales and save money buying in larger quantities.