The cost of prom has skyrocketed, according to Visa's annual survey. Parents are spending, on average, $1,078 on the event in 2013, about 33 percent higher over 2011. Here is our family's story on how we reined in the cost of prom.
Careful Budgeting and Planning Make Prom Affordable and Fun
I have to admit I am a bit shocked that the average amount households are spending on prom has risen so drastically, especially given the continued weakness in the economy. We live in the coalfields region of southwest Virginia, near Roanoke. Despite the layoffs in coal and other industries, as well as rising food and gas prices, many families in our area are like other Americans -- and will charge the expense or otherwise endanger their economic security to pay for their child's prom expenses.
I've always thought that buying clothes on credit or paying what I feel is a ridiculous amount for clothing, especially for a one-time event, is genuinely silly.
2011 was the last year one of my children, my third child, Cierra, went to a high school prom. She was 18 at the time. I have one son and three daughters, and affording annual junior and senior proms as well as military balls was difficult. We certainly didn't spend $1,000, or even half that.
We used these strategies to rein in what our family spent on the prom and other formal events.
Early shopping gives you the best deals on dress prices
The most expensive part of the prom for my kids was the tuxedo or prom dress. Several of my friends either rented their kids' formal attire or shopped at consignment shops and then altered their find. I've noticed the best department store deals can be found by either shopping in June or July at the end of the prom season, or beginning your search early in January or February.
In 2011, we went shopping in January and scored a beautiful prom dress at a name brand department store and in the latest style. The dress was a strapless, two-toned royal and periwinkle blue, taffeta and tulle, full-length prom dress with sequins, beads and multi-tiered bodice. It had a straight neckline and natural waist and the color really set off my daughter's bright blue eyes. On sale, this $400 dress cost us $120.
Accessorize with caution
We also shopped early to find deals on accessories. For our daughters, we chose either gold or silver tone jewelry and we always chose the shoes and handbag to match the color of their jewelry, not the dress. We also chose a dress that would be long enough to cover their shoes.
Using these strategies, our daughters were able to reuse their accessories for more than one prom or formal event. I have friends who have allowed their children to use jewelry or accessories that they already own to lower this cost. Using this strategy, our cost for prom accessories in 2011 was just $30.
Our daughter reused her beaded silver bag and silver shoes from her junior prom. Those were purchased for $30 at a department store clearance sale in January of 2010. My daughter also reused the jewelry she wore to her junior prom. It was originally a Christmas gift to her from a relative. The $30 cost for accessories in 2011 was for an ornate silver clip to pull back her hair and a special bra that she needed since the gown was strapless. We purchased both of these on sale and at a steep discount that January.
Hair and cosmetics
Many salons offer prom specials in which your child's hair can be styled and makeup applied and nails done for about $100. One of my children was best friends with the child of a salon owner, so she had hers done for free. My other children simply helped one another with the curling of their hair and used the makeup and nail polish that they already own. In 2011, our cost for this was just $40 to pay for the spray tan that my child had a few days before prom. A word of advice: If your child has very pale skin, as mine did, you may want to suggest forgoing a spray tan if they have never had one. My daughter disliked the uneven and distinct orange cast it gave her skin.
Formal photographs
Buying professional prom photos is very expensive, with many packages costing close to $100 or more. We always saved money by taking the pictures ourselves, but one year the parent of my child's date was insistent that we have professional photos. If you go this route, choose one of the cheaper packages and split the costs and photos with the other parent. If the other parent wants more photos, they can always contact the studio later and order reprints. 2011 cost for photography for us: $0.
Transportation
Our son took his date to the prom in our family car, a Dodge Caravan mini-van. Our daughters rode with their boyfriends in their vehicles. To us, a limousine rental is an unnecessary expense. If you child must have one, you can save by having your child and his date share the ride with other prom couples and split the costs. 2011 cost for transportation for us: $0.
Eating out and entertainment
At our children's school, the proms are catered events and food is provided. The school also hosts an after-prom party that lasts until 6 a.m., usually held at a local movie theater or bowling alley, where the food and entertainment are provided for free. In 2011, Cierra's after-prom party was held at the local movie theater. The theater was closed to anyone but prom couples from midnight until 6 a.m. the next day. They provided free showings of the latest movies and unlimited snacks and drinks. They even had a raffle for free gifts and prizes at the end of this event for the couples who stayed for the entire party. Some kids won new iPads, guitar and even cash prizes that ranged from $50 to $500.
Area businesses donate to the after-prom party as a way to give the couples a place to go that does not involve drinking and driving or other potentially dangerous after-prom activities. The party is chaperoned by local school officials as well as members of various local organizations.
You can't beat free. We always budgeted an additional $50 in case they got hungry and wanted to meet up with friends before or after the prom and after-prom events, but it was usually not spent. Many schools offer similar programs, so don't pay for what is available for free if you are on a tight budget. 2011 cost for prom dinner for us: $0.
Spending for our daughter's prom in 2011 came in at $190 -- far below the national average. My daughter also went to the JROTC military ball that year, and reused her accessories. Since it was also a catered event, the only expense was the dress. We bought this dress after the prom season in 2010 when it was on clearance at 90 percent off. The dress was still in style for the 2011 season and cost just $45 on clearance. It was an elegant, full length, white beaded dress with a V-necked halter and empire waist.
In 2011, we paid $235 for our daughter to attend two formal events, which is much cheaper than what many will pay this year for their child to attend one prom. While the average cost of going to prom is dramatically rising, we are proof that careful planning and budgeting can help anyone to make prom affordable and fun.
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