Try spending less on treats this year.

• Position: Halloween - Brief article

Halloween will be here soon, but do not let the ghosts and goblins trick you into spending more than you can afford, advises the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies, Fairfax, Va.

"Halloween spending definitely falls under the 'want' category of a spending plan." notes Dave Jones, president, AICCCA. "Consumers must first take care of the needs of their family before they commit money to the wants."

AICCCA offers these tips to make your Halloween fun, but affordable:

Satisfy trick-or-treaters with the jingle of coins. Augment your candy bowl with pennies and you will be able to hand out less candy and still keep them happy--and healthier.

Go green with costumes. Take a hint from the "reduce. reuse, recycle" mantra and scour your closets for ways to dress up without buying anything new. Trade with neighbors or friends to brighten up an old costume with new trim.

Do the same with decorations. Rather than...