Pace Paw Print

Media Credit: Liderdigital.com Scare all of your friends and go with the possessed look this Halloween.

Media Credit: Wordpress.com Make your significant other's dreams come true and dress up as Mimi.

Halloween is right around the corner, and all of the theme stores have been rummaged through. There's probably not much to choose from at this point, and even if you do find that perfect costume, sometimes the cost (which can range from $30 to $150) just doesn't fit the budget. This is when you need to start thinking creatively.

First, check out your closet. You are bound to find something crazy that you wouldn't normally wear but can't bring yourself to throw out. Find something hideous you own (we all have hideous articles of clothing-so don't kid yourself), and work with it. For example, being a simple bum can be a fun and easy costume, for a guy or a girl.

You could even dress up as your favorite athlete. Most sports fans have some form of shirt or hat representing their favorite team-just add to that with a couple of finishing touches, such as baseball socks or basketball shorts. Get creative, for example, you could replicate Red Sox Pitcher Curt Schilling's bleeding ankle in the 2004 series, by adding some red dye to a baseball sock and topping it with a jersey.

Want to be something a little more glamorous, without the money? An article written by Zac Wassink for the Associated Content recommends becoming a Make-up salesperson. This is a perfect excuse for anyone to over do their makeup and resemble Mimi from the Drew Carey Show. Wassink recommends making yourself a name tag, and walking around with a bottle of perfume, asking people if they would like to sample it. It may not be you're dream costume, but it sure is cheap.

Can't come up with a solo costume idea? How about a group one? Think of your favorite band, group, or trio. Try going as the members of rock band Kiss. Simply buy some face makeup and a black wig (or black hairspray). Dress it up with a pair of black pants and a black jacket, and you're ready to rock out in minutes.

Want to do something with an edge? Try dressing up as Linda Blair in the Exorcist. Buy some fake scars at any halloween store, along with liquid latex and some stage blood (all very affordable in comparison to most costumes). Some white and gray face paint will help the look also, but isn't completely necessary. Find a picture online of the possessed Blair, and copy the look. It will probably cost between $10 and $20.

Check out the Salvation Army for some good bargains too. You can usually find anything from combat boots to sombreros, and for very little money. There is one in White Plains and Tarrytown, which are relatively short drives from Pace.

If you are completely out of creative juices, head to the Halloween store and find a costume of your liking. Before dropping a chunk of money, see if you can replicate the actual costume with things you either have at home or can borrow from a friend. If you get the bulk of a costume down, just spend a little money on any accessories necessary.

Dressing up is always fun, but it doesn't mean you need to spend a ton of money to get the perfect look. Get creative, and save your money for the other things you'll need to spice up your Halloween.

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