With most of the bill being footed by moms and dads, it’s easy to see why some parents may be dreading the arrival of prom.
Prom is a rite of passage for every teenager, but it’s also a major cash-cow for retailers of all types. According to USA Today, prom spending has reached between $1,000 and $2,000 on average per family. With most of the bill being footed by moms and dads, it’s easy to see why some parents may be dreading the arrival of prom. Fortunately, there are a number of ways for parents to help keep prom special while cutting down on costs.
Create a budget
In order to stay on budget, parents must first create a budget. Of course, it’s easy to have a budget before a daughter falls in love with an expensive dress and a son sets his sights on a premium limousine ride, but sticking to a budget is essential for parents trying to curb costs. Determining which parts of prom are most important can help parents and their teens come to an agreement. For instance, if the dress is the biggest issue, taking money away from other things, such as a pricey dinner, can help keep expenses down.
Think about the future
When it comes to dresses and tuxedos, think of them less as one-time purchases and more as an investment. A classic dress and smart suit can be worn for many other formal occasions in the future, doing away with the need to buy or rent more clothes down the line. By thinking about future needs when shopping for prom clothes, parents can make sure their teens look great while also getting more use out of the clothes they purchase. And if buying a brand new dress or suit is not an option, parents can always go the rental route to get something special without breaking the bank.
Do it yourself
One option for crafty parents is to cut costs by taking care of certain necessities themselves. While sewing a prom dress may be a tall order, doing a daughter’s makeup instead of splurging on a trip to the salon can mean a lot of money saved. Additionally, loaning or borrowing accessories such as earrings and bracelets is a lot more cost-efficient than buying them.
Focus on transportation
Saving money on prom doesn’t necessarily mean doing away with limos altogether, but shopping around for the best deal is essential. Also, by spreading the costs of a limo ride between several couples, parents can still make sure their teens have a safe ride to prom and back in style. Additionally, a cab works just as well and can be an even more reasonable price.
Skip the incidentals
Prom is about the dance, and while it may impossible to forego the costs of formal wear, parents can still cut corners on other aspects of prom. For example, paying for professional photographs at the dance can add up quickly, but taking the pictures themselves will eliminate this. Also, instead of footing the bill for an expensive dinner, parents can make and host dinner at their home. There are plenty of ways for moms and dads to get creative with cutting back on incidental expenses.