How to Save Money on Your Daughter's High School Prom Expenses
The chance to dress up in fancy clothing and spend a night dancing with friends makes prom one of the most exciting and memorable experiences of high school. Although a night of glamour and romance for teens, prom can take its toll on a parent's finances. Between the prices of the prom ticket, dress, beauty supplies, dinner and photography, the cost can quickly add up to hundreds of dollars. Plan ahead and bargain shop to cut prom costs in half. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Shop early for the prom dress. A dress purchased during the off-season may be much cheaper than one purchased only one or two months leading up to the prom.
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Check second-hand stores for used dresses and shoes. Since prom dresses are typically worn only once or twice, they can still be in near-perfect condition even though they have been used.
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Test out as many dresses as possible, and try to steer clear of the brand names. While brand name dresses may have better quality, the less expensive brands can look just as nice and will almost certainly last for the duration of prom night and longer.
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Go to a cosmetology school for hair and makeup. Cosmetology students can provide results similar to those of professionals but at a fraction of the price. Cosmetic counters at department stores may also do makeup for free. Or do your daughter's makeup and hair at home.
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Invite her friends over for a potluck dinner before the prom. Split the cost of the food between all the parents of the teens attending. Home-cooked food costs much less than eating out for a prom dinner.
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Give her a digital camera to bring to the prom rather than purchasing the professional photos. Photos snapped by friends during the prom may even capture the event more effectively than posed photos. Digital cameras can often be purchased for less than the price of professional photos and can still be used for years to come.
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Carpool to the prom. This alternative is especially effective in the case of a rented limo or fancy car. Ideally, use a family car to dodge a car rental fee altogether.
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Tips & Warnings
If your daughter finds a dress at a department store, write down the brand, model, size and color on a piece of paper. Search for the particular dress on online auction sites.
References
- Photo Credit Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
