Short on money, but not on Halloween spirit? Lucky for you that the best costumes require more creativity than cash.
Homemade Halloween costumes have been part of my holiday tradition since I was a little kid. One year, I remember my parents sticking balloons all over my winter coat and telling people that I was the “Balloon Lady.” Thankfully, my homemade Halloween costumes have come a long way since 1975! 
This Halloween, my husband and I are going to run a charity 5k dressed as the characters from the MAC vs. PC commercials. I’ll be going as PC, wearing one of my husband’s old suits and some wireframe glasses while my husband gets to wear much cooler clothes representing MAC. In case our costumes are too subtle for most people to understand, I made nametags.
Here are a few other costume favorites I’ve made over the past few years:
Lego Man. Lego fans can easily transform into their favorite character using a cardboard hatbox and some yellow spraypaint.
Greek Goddess. An old bedsheet for a dress and some leaves off a plastic plant for a crown is all that it takes to turn into the Goddess Persephone (or any other Goddess of your choice).
Cereal Killer. I can’t take credit for coming up with this hilarious costume idea that I made in minutes out of stuff I already had around the house.
Steve from Minecraft. Minecraft is a video game that is rapidly gaining popularity. The main character’s mask was free and easy to make using a box and printer.
And don’t forget about paper mache! You can make a mask of anything out of this old camp craft favorite. Masks I’ve made include a wolf and Sonic from Sonic the Hedgehog.
Need more inspiration? Here are links to some other sites that have low or no-cost costume ideas:
Dress to impress this Halloween
4 last-minute Halloween costume ideas
10 Halloween Costume Ideas: for Kids, Adults, and Gene Simmons
Fun, Cheap Halloween Costumes To DIY, A Photo Gallery
Easy-To-Make, Cheap Halloween Costume Ideas
10 Low-Cost, No-Sew Halloween Costumes that Stand Out from the Crowd
If you have ideas for low or no-cost Halloween costumes, please share them!