Last Minute Cheap and Trendy Halloween Costumes

By Louis DeNicola, Cheapism.com

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Every year Halloween creeps up and surprises thousands into last-minute, costly costume choices. But just a little planning can lead to a timely and cheap Halloween costume for 2013.

Here's the inside skinny: Identify this year's pop culture icons or characters from the hottest movies and TV shows. Then narrow the list to people who can be easily, and cheaply, replicated.

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Short of time or skills needed to craft a low-cost and trend-forward Halloween 2013 costume? Buying or renting is always an option. CostumesGalore,net stocks all kinds of Halloween attire and accessories. Fake mustaches sell for as little as $4 and entire costumes can be rented for $35 and up. Shopping around, online or at local stores, may yield ghoulish savings; pop-up costume stores, uh, pop up all over during the fall.

Still, DIY Halloween costumes are generally the most fun, attract the most comments, and ultimately are the cheapest. Aim for a character who dresses in garments that you may find hanging at the back of the closet or are easy to pick up at second hand stores. Sharing resources with a group of friends is an obvious money-saving tactic -- a tube of Halloween makeup or fake blood provides plenty to go around.

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