For some Americans, the only Payday is in the orange pumpkin on the kitchen counter.

According to The Week, Americans spent $6 billion this year on Halloween candy, costumes and decorations. I’m sure you’ve read other figures on the holiday spending. Whatever the number…it begs a question, and I don’t think I even need to write it here because you’re thinking it.

People are covered in debt, upside-down in houses and cars and feeling more anxious about the economy every day. But hey, let’s make sure we do Halloween well!

Oh, one more thing…the 2008 presidential campaign and congressional races cost an estimated $5.3 billion, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.