If your teenager is going to the prom this year, you probably have mixed feelings. Excitement combined with debt-ridden angst. How to keep prom expenses down!
Prom is a rite of passage for high school juniors and seniors, and you probably want your daughter to look like a princess; but that doesn’t mean you have to spend a king’s ransom to outfit, transport and accessorize your teen for the big event.
Boys aren’t out of the woods either. Tuxedos aren’t cheap. You can make this formal dance a night to remember for your teen without spending a small fortune.
How to Spend Less on Prom Night:
- Make your child pitch in. If your teenager is old enough to go to the prom, he/she is old enough to earn some money to get there. Don’t take on the entire financial burden yourself. Sit down with your teen well before the big night and work out a budget. Be firm and make your child contribute at least a portion of the expenses. Even if your son or daughter doesn’t have a job, some extra chores around the house are enough to earn a little cash.
- Buy a dress at a consignment shop. Look in the Yellow Pages or online for stores that specialize in pre-owned formal wear. Even making a few calls ahead of time will save you some time. You might be surprised at what good shape the dresses are in. After all, how many times do you wear a prom dress?
- Consider buying a tuxedo instead of renting one. If you know your son will attend a number of formal events in the next couple years, and he has finished growing, investing in a tux is not a bad idea. Just look around for deals. Shops that rent formal wear may also sell used tuxes at a bargain price.
- Go in as a group to rent the limo. If arriving at the prom in a limo is the thing to do at your child’s school, you might want to check with other families about splitting the bill several ways. A limo will seat a lot of people and it’s more fun to travel as a group.
- Eat dinner at home. Who says a fancy meal has to be at a restaurant? Break out the fine china, tell everyone to bring a dish and have the prom dinner at your house. The kids will all be dressed up, so the supper will seem more formal than it really is.
- Buy corsages at discount florists. Even Sam’s Club has a floral department. Shop around for the best prices. Remember, the kids won’t remember the flowers as much as the actual memories. So don’t forget to snap some pics!
The copyright of the article Saving Money on Prom Night in Consumer Education is owned by L. Marie Dubuque. Permission to republish Saving Money on Prom Night in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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