Global Economic Crisis Halloween Costume Ideas

Enough with all the moping around about the doom and gloom in the housing market and general economy. Halloween is approaching and what a better time to celebrate the doom and gloom.

Below are some Halloween costume ideas to... uhm... celebate? the housing boom, bubble bursting and general economic collapse.

We can't stop it, we can't ignore it, might as well have fun with it.

Yes these are real costumes. You can click on the image for a larger photo and more information. The original intent of the costume has just been repurposed to meet the times.

Housing Boom Costumes

Stripper Flipper

During the housing boom, you couldn't not make money in real estate and everybody knew this. This industrious lap-dancer wasn't just working her way through college, she was working her way through drywall and outdated kitchens.  Goes well with the money bag handbag, pictured right.

Real Estate Agent: Hello Ms. Heather Bigboobs would you like me to recommend a mortgage broker?
Stripper Flipper: No thanks, I'll pay in cash. Are small bills OK?
Real Estate Agent: Is that glitter?

No Income, No Job? No problem! You too can participate in the housing boom. Don't let a little thing like not having a job or income stop you. There are plenty of lenders willing to give you money so you can flip houses too. Add a toolbelt and workboots and you're all set.

Oh how easy things were, how could they go so wrong so fast?

Brick House

Come as your favorite McMansion, POS Cape, outdated ranch, etc. These two costumes let you be the object of so much desire and at the same type resentment. The ultimate love/hate relationship. Make a nice little sash that reads "Foreclosed", "Overpriced", "Bank Owned", etc to finish it off. Goes well with the Stripper Flipper or Ninja Flipper above or with the Brick Layer Jumpsuit Costume.

Wall Street Costumes

Predatory Mortgage Lender/Broker

The mask and hands from the popular Schwarzenegger movie along with a blue, white collared shirt and nice suit and tie makes a great outfit. Change the contract terms on the day of signing, talk people into borrowing more than they can reasonably afford and constantly flip their mortgages over and over to generate fees.

A nice suit and tie, a clown mask or wig and big red and yellow wing tipped clown shoes and you're all set to come up with great ideas such as lending money to people that can't afford to pay it back, selling those mortgages to investors and then begging Congress to pay you back for all your mistakes so you can keep the money you didn't earn. That will give you time to come up with your next big money making scheme and this time, you've learned from your mistakes. You've learned that you can make all the mistakes you want and you cry to the politicians you bought and they bail you out!

Be the Goldman Sachs CEO turned Treasury Secretary that is demanding "Give me all your money or lose all your money!" (Lost source of quote) A nice bald cap if you don't feel like shaving, some glasses and a classic ganster costume. Maybe even a Tommy Gun, but this guy doesn't need to spread lead, just dread to get things done.

Yes, you were only making about minimum wage before the boom but there's so much work involved in keeping this Ponzi scheme going that seats need to be filled. Any why not put something pretty in those seats.

Pass some bogus certifications and you too can be a Wall Street Ganster! Can't pass the certifications? Well, phones keep ringing off the hook and they don't answer themselves. So sign up and join in the fun and make more than you otherwise would. Just don't let the Mrs. see ya! 

Did you manage to bag yourself a nice hedge fund manager or Wall St. exec? Possibly even a NINJA Flipper or hey, a Stripper Flipper, lets not discriminate.

All the perks of the credibt bubble and none of the stress or hard work. Just keep on spending more and more so hubby doesn't forget to make money.

Others

As for everyone else, while there may not have been a direct involvement in the nonesense that went on, the general economy was booming as a result. Many gained from it without realizing it. Well, until things went south. Just like the period before The Great Depression. So some roaring 20's outfits seem appropriate.