This year, my daughter insisted she’d need a pillow case to collect her Halloween candy.

Indeed, she filled that puppy – but, what now? There’s no way I’ll let her eat even half of it… and no way I should help her eat it, either! Luckily, there are other options.

Bellco Credit Union and Livewell Colorado are offering an exchange; candy for a healthy snack or prize. LINK: larimersquare.com/news/downtown-denver-candy-exchange/

Or, every year many area dentists take part in a program to collect Halloween candy to send to our troops oversees. Find out if your dentist or one near you is participating: halloweencandybuyback.com

Dentists trade everything from prizes to cash for candy to cheer up our troops. You can also make a small donation to help pay for shipping.

Your dentist will tell you, saving on fillings make a candy trade in a definite bargain! You can also sponsor your own family candy trade in, by giving your kids books or small toys in return for their candy. Or, pick up some non-perishable prizes for next year at post-Halloween clearance sales – other parents will thank you, too!

- In her Brooke’s Bargains blog Brooke Wagner writes about finding bargains and saving money for her family. She calls it one of her favorite hobbies. Blog entries cover everything from the latest steals, deals, and freebies to cheap family activities, saving for college, and what to buy right now. Tweet Brooke your ideas at @BrookeCBS4.