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The average person plans to spend $66.54 on Halloween this year, up a tad from $64.82 from a year ago, according to the National Retail Federation.

And more people plan to celebrate — 64.5 percent of the population compared to 58.7 last year.

Folks at NRF are suggesting that maybe that's because people just need a break from all the doom and gloom news about the economy.

So where are the cheap deals for Halloween costumes, candy or spooky decorations?

— Christine Peterson

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If you haven't booked your holiday travel yet, you may be behind.

Angie's List, which rates and reviews various services, says this is going to be one of the most EXPENSIVE travel seasons ever. And who needs that?

The folks at Angie's List sent over a press release with these tips:

Book now or wait? It’s always a gamble. Book early for holiday travel, especially to areas where airlines have cut back on flights. Book too soon and your airline could decide to drop your route or cut its flight schedule between the time you book and the time you fly. Know your options if your airline drops your flight - carriers have various policies on what they will do. Consider travel insurance to cover this scenario; some will let you cancel for any reason, but check the coverage carefully – you can’t get insurance for tickets on an airline that is in bankruptcy.

Be flexible and shift travel dates: You can save during peak holiday periods if you’re willing to start your trip a day or two before the rush and stay a bit longer.
Check alternative airports: For example, if you plan to visit San Francisco, you might save by flying into San Jose or Oakland.

Consider connecting flights: Although non-stop is less stressful and reduces changes of being bumped or losing luggage, it can cost hundreds more than taking a one-stop flight.

Pack light: Nearly all airlines now charge a fee to check a second bag. Packing lighter and smarter will help minimize those luggage fees. Plan ahead and ship your holiday gifts this year so you don’t have to pack them.

Plan ahead: Times are tight and it costs more now for snacks. Those $2 candy bars and $6 snack boxes can really add up. Bring your own.

Bundle and save: Think about packaging your airline tickets with reservations for a hotel and/or rental car.

Hire help: Enlist the help of a travel agent, who might be able to find special deals to which you otherwise wouldn’t have access. If something goes wrong, you have someone there to help you straighten things out. The general rule is that the more complicated or expensive the itinerary, the better it is to book through an agent.

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Home Depot   plans to cut prices on about 1,200 items beginning this week, and roll out the cuts over the course of three weeks, according to reports from The Associated Press.

The AP says the reductions will range from 5 to 50 percent, but store executives couldn't say what the average trim would be.

Read the full details here.

Will other stores follow?

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Are you ready for digital TV broadcasts? Reporter Courtenay Edelhart did a full story on what to expect.

Bottom line: You can get coupons to help with the cost. Here are the details from Courtenay:

Every U.S. household is eligible to receive up to two coupons worth $40 each toward the purchase of digital-to-analog converter boxes. The boxes are sold at most major electronics stores and usually cost about $60.

To read more about the program, log onto the Federal Communication Commission’s consumer site: dtv.gov/index.html, or visit the official site of the converter box program, where you can request a coupon online: dtv2009.gov/.

To request a coupon by phone, call 888-DTV-2009 or 888-388-2009.
Consumers can also mail a coupon application to: P.O. Box 2000, Portland, OR 97208-2000.

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It seems that every year when the fair rolls around, people speculate that businesses and restaurants in town don't get as much traffic. Everyone's at the fair, or so the theory goes. I've always wondered if it's true.

But sometimes restaurants and businesses DO run ads with words such as "fair special" and offer deals or coupons.

Have you seen any of these deals yet? Where are they? Share them here.

(Or maybe what you really want is a Frito Boat from the fair.)

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Haven't heard yet? The Kern County Fair opens Wednesday, and our reporters have all the details.

Cheapskate blog readers already know you can get in free from 3 to 5 p.m. just this Wednesday, Sept. 17, on opening day. Two hours only!

Beyond that, it's easy to spend lots fast at the fair. Reporter Shellie Branco tallied what a family of four could expect to spend. In her scenario, a family could easily spend a whopping $191.

But how much will YOU spend? I've heard some parents make sure to feed their children before going to the fair so they spend a few dollars on an ice cream, rather than dinner plus ice cream.

Other families say "no rides" or "here's $20 for each child to spend; once it's gone, we're leaving."

What's your strategy? Do you try to pinch pennies, or do you go all out and money is no object?

— Christine Peterson

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Here's a "raw report" press release from the local museums:

Smithsonian offers free day at two county museums
 
Doors to both the Kern County Museum and Bakersfield Museum of Art will open free of charge on Sept. 27, for “Museum Day,” presented by Smithsonian magazine. Admission is free for Smithsonian magazine readers and Smithsonian.com visitors.

Attendees must present Smithsonian magazine’s Museum Day Admission Card to gain free entry. The card is available in the September issue of Smithsonian magazine and a downloadable version is available on the Museum Day Web site at www.smithsonian.com/museumdaycard. The general public is welcome to participate by going to the Smithsonian.com Web site and downloading the Museum Day Admission Card.

Museum Day is a day when museums and cultural institutions nationwide celebrate culture, learning and knowledge. It reflects the spirit of the magazine and emulates the free-admission policy of the Smithsonian Institution’s Washington, DC-based facilities.

“We will include free tours of the Howell House on this wonderful day to showcase both of these outstanding museums, and we are hopeful many Kern County residents will take advantage of this free admission day,” said Carola Enriquez, Kern County Museum director.

Kern County Museum was founded in 1941 and features 56 historic exhibits, an award winning hands-on oil exhibition Black Gold: The Oil Experience and the Lori Brock Children's Discovery Center for youth ages eight and under.

The Bakersfield Museum of Art provides exhibition and preservation of fine art, educational programs, community outreach and special events. New exhibits rotate through the galleries each year, featuring a wide variety of artistic styles from varying historical periods.

The Kern County Museum is located at 3801 Chester Avenue, (661) 852-5000, www.kcmuseum.org. Hours of operation are Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.—5 p.m. and Sundays  12—5 p.m. Closed major holidays.

Bakersfield Museum of Art is located at 1930 R Street, (661) 323-7219, www.bmoa.org. Hours of operation are Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-4p.m., Thursdays until 7:30 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 12-4 p.m. Closed Monday and holidays.

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One of Kern County's biggest events of the year offers a chance to get in FREE.

It's the Kern County Fair, of course, and from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, you can walk in for free.

That's the start of the fair's 12-day of run.

Courtesy of the fair, here are the highlights for the first day:
• Gates open at 3 p.m.
• Opening Day Parade at 6 p.m.
• Free fun and games for kids in the main entrance area
• Hypnotist Mark Yuzuik at 7 and 9 p.m. on San Joaquin Community Hospital Stage
• Bangles will take the stage in a free show at 8 p.m. on the Budweiser Pavilion

As you may have heard, Log Cabin Florist in downtown Bakersfield is giving away a dozen roses, or 20,000 total, until they're gone.

The florist is at 800 19th St.

The idea is you should share the joy of flowers and friendship by passing along 11 of the roses to others — friends, co-workers, family, strangers — and keeping one rose for yourself.

Reporter Jenny Shearer was there this morning, and found out the supply may be gone by noon. Don't say we didn't warn you!