What does $12.2 billion spending on Halloween says about our economy?

[Anonymous]

Is this a sign of good economy or low financial IQ that we are spending $12.2+ on Halloween and $700 million goes on pet costumes?

[Anonymous]

First world, FTW.

[Anonymous]

Probably depends on who is spending it. If it’s just top earners, it’s a sign of extreme wealth inequality.

[Anonymous]

Europe is on the brink of a recession, the world is way too hot, we have several wars going on, but the USA is surprisingly resilient, and this is due to both recent Presidents pumping billions into the economy during Covid.

We'll see if it all comes crashing down or not. Opinions from economists are mixed. The Fed is flummoxed.

[Anonymous]

That we don't give AF about the environment. It's all from China and it's all crap. I like that we celebrate Halloween full out here in America, I don't like how it revolves around buying crap.

[Anonymous]

People spend on the little treats they can afford since home ownership and other middle class milestones are unfathomable.

[Anonymous]

Shove it with your WASP austerity. People want to enjoy things.

[Anonymous]

Behind the numbers though…Halloween is a newer triumvirate ushering in the retail Holiday Season. I’d argue it’s become this in one generation and has multiple subcategories; farmhouse, horror, cutesy, juvenile, retro, authentic thrift.

Now there’s Adult Halloween, adults dressing in costume to accompany kids or just answer the door and the marketing begins around Back to School.

[Anonymous]

It says we’re cool and the rest of the world is a bunch of boring nerds

[Anonymous]

But the world is so much like that - have you ever read the news? I mean, we have stories that don't mean anything and just nonsense everywhere. I'm not surprised we spend this much money on nothing because people are at heart, consumers and emotionally wired. Vanity. All is vanity. Not saying it's wrong or right but this is how people just are!

Why I don't think intelligent life in the universe really gives a damn about humans - we are all idiots.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this a sign of good economy or low financial IQ that we are spending $12.2+ on Halloween and $700 million goes on pet costumes?

Americans are idiots.

[Anonymous]

Americans enjoy celebrations.

DH and I read the average American spent $100 on Halloween and that was spot on for us. We spent $40 on candy for TOTers, $60 on decorations (which we'll use in future years too). We didn't need costumes this year, but that typically would be $20-25 a kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this a sign of good economy or low financial IQ that we are spending $12.2+ on Halloween and $700 million goes on pet costumes?

Americans are idiots.

Yup.Idiots like my MIL who buys my 16 year old Halloween socks and pencils and buys a Halloween themed bag to put them in. I’d rather she have put all the money that she spends on useless junk like that into a college fund. We’d have at least a semester tuition paid for that way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this a sign of good economy or low financial IQ that we are spending $12.2+ on Halloween and $700 million goes on pet costumes?

Americans are idiots.

Yup.Idiots like my MIL who buys my 16 year old Halloween socks and pencils and buys a Halloween themed bag to put them in. I’d rather she have put all the money that she spends on useless junk like that into a college fund. We’d have at least a semester tuition paid for that way.

You sound like a super pleasant person.

[Anonymous]

It tells me we are still severely brainwashed.