Frugal Family Loads up on Low-Cost Halloween Treats

Buying Halloween candy can be a tricky proposition. Buy too much or too early and the resulting temptation can be detrimental to your waistline. Buy too little or too late and those last-minute purchases can put a dent in your wallet. In order to save you both time and money, we searched the area high and low for the best deals on Halloween candy this week--and came up with a few good, inexpensive candy alternatives as well. Also, check out the Saturday store events at CVS and Toys 'R' Us for free fun and giveaways while you're there.

Note: Check with the merchant for additional conditions that may apply.

• Deal #1: Get pumpkin buckets, glow-in-the-dark buckets or assorted Halloween candy like Whoppers, candy corn, caramels and Dots for $1 each.
• Deal #2: Get a 6.6 ounce bag of Smarties candy rolls for $1.
• Deal #3: Get 8-packs of candy favorites like M&Ms, Milky Way, Twix and Snickers for $1 each.
• Good through: While supplies last.

• Deal: Get a 12-pack of Halloween coupons for $1. Coupons include 3 each of the following: free pie or kid-sized drink, free small fries, free cookie or chips or kid-sized drink, free cone or kid-sized drink. Coupons are valid 11/1 to 12/31 and are redeemable by kids 12 and under only.
• Good through: While supplies last.

• Deal: Get a 5-pack of free Jr. Frosty coupons for $1. Coupons are valid 11/1 to 2/1/2012.
• Good through: While supplies last.

• Deal #1: Get 2 for $5 on Hershey's snack size, Mars or Nestle Halloween fun size candy with savings card.
• Deal #2: Get 25 percent off candy alternatives with savings card.
• Good through: Saturday, Oct. 29.

• Deal #1: Get Starburst or Skittles fun size bag at 4 for $8 with savings card.
• Deal #2: Get 11 oz. packages of Hershey's Halloween package candy for $2.49 each with savings card.
• Good through: Thursday, Oct. 27.

• Deal #1: Get Hershey's, Reese's, Mars or Nestle 8-packs of candy for $1 each with savings card.
• Deal #2: Get your choice of fun size or snack size candy bags at 2 for $5 with savings card.
• Good through: Saturday, Oct. 29.

• Deal #1: Get Mars chocolate, Wrigley's fun size or Hershey's snack size at 4 for $10 with savings card.
• Deal #2: Get Hershey's, Nestle or Mars 8-packs at 5 for $5 with savings card.
• Deal #3: Visit the store on Sunday, Oct. 23, with your child in costume and receive a free gift ($5 value) and a free 5x7 picture while supplies last.
• Good through: Saturday, Oct. 29.

• Deal #1: Get bags of Halloween candy for $1.99 each (regularly $3.99).
• Deal #2: Bring your child to the store in costume from noon to 3 p.m. on Satuday and join Geoffrey's Halloween Parade. A new parade is led by Geoffrey every half hour. Plus, get free giveaways and a free SpongeBob Halloween bag while supplies last.
• Good through: Saturday, Oct. 29.

• Deal #1: Get snack size candy bars (10.5 to 11.24 oz. bags) for $2.48 each.
• Deal #2: Get jumbo size candy bags (18 to 44 oz.) for $4.48 each.
• Good through: Saturday, Oct. 29.