128 - Why We Happily Overspend on Halloween 🎃 (The Psychology + Money Stats)

Why do we spend billions on one spooky night?
This episode traces Halloween’s evolution—from Samhain and Roman festivals to All Hallows’ Eve—then flips the mask to reveal the behavioral psychology behind today’s $13B spend. 

We unpack:

• 🎃 Origins to Modern Mashup: Samhain → Roman Feralia & Pomona → All Saints/All Souls → American trick-or-treat
• 💵 Follow the Money: Costumes, décor, candy, parties; average spend per celebrant; why the total keeps hitting records
• 🧠 Psych Drivers: Nostalgia, social proof, sanctioned escapism, scarcity, and why fear = dopamine (aka paid thrills)
• 🧪 Marketing Playbook: Limited drops, seasonal urgency, “keep up with the neighbors,” and pet costumes (yes, really)
• ✅ The Real Goals: Experiences hit harder than stuff, memory-making outlast things

If you love history, consumer psychology, or just need to justify that 12-foot skeleton…this one’s for you.

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**DISCLAIMER**
Ticker metrics change as markets and companies change, so always do your own research. The content in this podcast is based on personal experience and is for educational purposes, not financial advice. See full disclaimer here.

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