Tricks, trends and budget-friendly tips for Halloween treats

Americans gobbled up 24.3 pounds of candy per person last year, according to statistics from the Bloomington-based Indiana Business Research Center (IBRC), with most of the sweet stuff being devoured around Halloween. It's the candy industry's biggest holiday and the latest survey by the IBRC revealed even more of us (65%) plan to party with pumpkins, costumes and candy than last year's recession rocked revelers (62.1%).

The difference, however, is more enthusiasm, not more stuff.