Thread: Budgets - how did you do?

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We had a budget discussion before the season kicked off, and it was clear that a lot of people don't pay any heed But for those of you who did have a budget, how did you do?

My party is Saturday, and I'm already more than 50% over, despite all the things I feel like I've cut back. Oops.

My goal was a pretty conservative $1000, I'm looking at more like $1600...not including all the repurposed things or things I justified buying for other reasons

LOL...our budget was blown...way out, even though my plan was to reel it in this year. I would say we probably spent about $4000. But, we built a lot of new props, decor items etc, this year, so that includes all of that too. Our party is this Saturday and I'm getting irritated b/c some people are bailing last minute. And, have also been asked if I will have the world series going on the tv. AAGHH!!! It's a Halloween party!!! Not a baseball watching party!!! Trying to not get too irritated.

My party is this Saturday and to be honest, I have no idea how close to my budget I am. I set out to spend about $1,000 total; I have a small party for about 30 people. Last year I went crazy on decorations so this year I don't have as many props to buy but I seemed to forget that each time I went to a Halloween store!

As Saturday draws near I am worried that I am going to get a lot of no-shows. Right now I am only at maybe 20 confirmed. How does everyone else deal with preventing no-shows or at least getting an accurate head count so you don't waste time and money on food and drinks?

I have learned that counting on RSVP's for ANY party is a waste. I always prepare food and such for about a third to a half of the amount of people I invite. My party is Sat. as well and I have 60 confirmed.....just this week I have had about 20 of them cancel, or I heard through the grapevine they won't show.

Originally Posted by melmyissa

How does everyone else deal with preventing no-shows or at least getting an accurate head count so you don't waste time and money on food and drinks?

I request RSVP's by a certain date. This year, it was by Oct 25th for our party on the 30th. Usually, I'll send out another reminder the day after the RSVP's were due. We always use Facebook for our invitations so it's easy to message all the "Maybe" people and ones who haven't replied yet. Here's the one I sent on the 26th:


If you haven't RSVP'd one way or another for the Halloween party, would you mind doing so, please! A semi-accurate headcount for a party of this size is SO helpful! Some of you have given verbal RSVP's so you're good to go; unfortunately, Facebook doesn't allow us to single you out of this message so my apologies.

It's easy to RSVP:

Click on "Events" on the left side of your Facebook "Home" page, then, click "Respond" and choose "Attending" or "Not Attending". You can also message me here on FB, email xxx@cox.net or phone xxx-xxxx.

Thanks for your help and hope to see you soon! If you can't make it, or, costume parties just aren't your thing, no sweat! We'll hope to see you on another occasion!

I don't feel the least bit awkward about asking (begging!) for RSVP's. If people find it rude or obnoxious, I could just as well say the same thing about them. Any people who still don't respond never get invited back. Period.

Thanks for the advice. I am using a combination of paper invites and a Facebook event invite. I am going to try sending out another message to the people who have yet to respond. I just worry that with too few people (under 20) it might not make for as much fun during the tempt your fate game. As Saturday gets closer I am getting nervous!!

Ha! I completely blew my budget!......I was trying to do everything for about $200. I actually sat down this evening and started going thru my receipts (i kept all of them) and when my total started to go over $450, I stopped adding!......ha-ha

In the end, all I know it was probably well over $500...probably in the $600-650 range.

Ylbissop and I usually talk about budget about midway through the planning, which is when I usually start freaking out about how much we've already spent and we would still need to get food and drinks (which is usually over $100 if you count the booze).

This year, I pretty much gave up on worrying about the money. I know its there and I know it won't be next year if all things go according to plan. We are planning on buying a house in the spring, so next year will be tight.

Usually we try to stay around $1000, including props, costumes, and food. His costume already blew past that budget and we picked up a pretty big prop this year. Once we bought these two big ticket items, I tried to be tight on everything else, but you know how it is, "Ohh this would make a great box for a hand" or "I know I will find a use for these skeleton hand tongs".

Next year I want to focus on what we have still unfinished or pieces of materials we have lying around and really try to just make a lot of things instead of buying stuff. But we shall see.

I broke down my budget this year, and found that I did okay on the decor part, but totally blew it (3X+) on the food. Live and learn

What is this "budget" you speak of and where do I get one?