Halloween is the prequel to the Holiday season and a great excuse to dress up celebrate all things spooky. Retailers are more and more turning their focus to Halloween; as you may have noticed, the décor items start creeping onto the shelves a few short weeks after Memorial Day. But if you have been waiting to the last minute to stock up on Halloween essentials, now is the time, people! Here are a few of the best last minute finds for a happy haunting

COSTUMES AND GOODIES: The slashings have begun, on prices, that is. Local drug stores like RiteAid and Walgreens have had their Halloween merchandise at 50% all week. The pickings are slim, but I just found temporary hair color for $1.99. JoAnn, Meijer, and Kmart have been staying steady at 40%-50%, but that is rumored to change for Friday, some going as far as 75% off. The PTO Thrift shop still has plenty to choose from now at 50% off of their low Halloween prices. Old Navy sent out an email today advertising that costumes and goodies in store will be only $2 on October 30 and 31 only.

CANDY: The unwritten and unfollowed rule in our house is to wait till the very last minute to buy candy. That way there is actually some left for the Trick or Treaters. If you held on longer than I did, reward yourself by printing off these coupons from Target, and saving a few bucks on the chocolates and sweets to pass out and enjoy for yourself.

FREE STORE EVENTS on October 31: Sure, there is free candy out on the streets, but here is a list of how some local stores are celebrating Halloween:

Taco Bell: Free BlackJack Taco 6pm-midnight. Chipotle: free burrito - if you are dressed up like a boo-rrito! - 6pm - close. Michael’s: Family Craft Event 10am-noon. Sears: Free Matel Toy for Trick or Treaters with Coupon. Macy’s: Store event including $10 for first 100, costume contest, and treat bag. Briarwood Mall: Boo Bash and indoor trick or treating 4-8pm.