Despite the economic downturn, Americans are planning on spending even more this year than last on Halloween candy and decorations, a new survey released by Visa Inc. finds.


The survey shows that 75 percent of Americans plan to celebrate – and spend on - Halloween. Among those, the average person will spend $47 on candy and decorations. Disregarding the current economic headwinds, this spending represents an increase of 18% from the $40 Americans reported they were planning to spend on Halloween in a similar Visa survey last year.

"Depriving our children, and our neighbors' children, of Halloween trick or treating is not something Americans seem willing to bear," said Jason Alderman, Director of Financial Education at Visa Inc.

Additional findings in the survey include:

- Men estimate they will spend $50 on Halloween, while women say on average they will spend $43.

- Consumers under the age of 45 will spend $17 more than those 45 and over. The younger group estimates their Halloween spending at $55 and the older will spend $38 on average.

- Urbanites ($51) intend on spending $8 more than those who live in the suburbs ($43), and suburbanites are spending $4 more on average than those who live in rural areas ($39).

- Parents with children 18 or under living at home are planning on spending an average of $57 on Halloween candy and decorations compared to $40 for anyone without children living at home.

Visa believes using opportunities like Halloween spending as a way to begin or continue the money conversation within the home is critical.

"While spending $47 may not break the bank for many families, it is an ideal 'teachable moment' where parents can instill in their children the value of budgeting and spending wisely," said Alderman.