Money Matters - Halloween Spending and Financial Fears

 With Halloween around the corner and consumers expected to spend roughly $13.1 billion on the occasion, WalletHub today announced the results of its nationally representative Halloween Spending & Financial Fears Survey. WalletHub also released its picks for 2025’s Worst Credit Cards to highlight scary offers that people should avoid, along with money-saving alternatives.

Key Findings

• Widespread Economic Fear: 94% of people are fearful of this economy.
   
• Economic Uncertainty Haunts Us: More than 2 in 5 Americans say uncertainty is the scariest thing about the economy right now.

• Dreams Full of Financial Worries: 49% of Americans say they have nightmares about money problems.
   
• Halloween on a Budget: 74% of people are planning to spend less on Halloween this year than last year.
   
• Top Financial Fears: 35% of Americans say an unplanned emergency is their biggest financial fear, while 23% say it's not having enough retirement savings and 16% say it’s job loss.
   
• AI Spooking Workers: More than 1 in 3 people are scared that AI will steal their job.
   
• Pricey Egg Pranks: Nearly 4 in 5 people think eggs are too expensive to throw at people’s houses on Halloween.
   
• Worst Credit Cards: 2025’s picks charge fees up to $1,199 and have APRs as high as 36%.
  
   

“Halloween isn’t the scariest thing on a lot of people’s minds right now; the economy is. More than 90% of people are fearful of this economy, according to a new WalletHub survey, and 49% of Americans say they have nightmares about money problems. Unplanned emergency expenses, not having enough retirement savings, and job loss are some of the biggest worries folks have at the moment. Those concerns probably aren’t going away anytime soon, but there are ways people can reduce their stress levels and get some peace of mind. For example, making a budget that reigns in spending and allows for bigger contributions to savings and debt payments will put you in a more sustainable position no matter what happens. Simply having a plan can go a long way toward soothing financial fears, but actually following through with it is the real key.”

 - John Kiernan, WalletHub Editor
 

 

More From WalletHub

• Best Places for Halloween
• Halloween Facts Infographic
• Early Holiday Shopping Survey
• Worst Credit Cards
• Best Credit Cards