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Don’t Let Prom Put You in the Poor House
Take Charge America says seniors can budget and save
Mike Sullivan of Take Charge America says that with early planning and budgeting, parents can save money and seniors can still have a great prom night with their friends and classmates. He offers the following tips and ideas for parents and their teens to reduce the cost of senior prom:
n Transportation – If you must rent a limousine and a driver, plan ahead and share the ride and cost with two or three other couples. Or better yet, simply borrow a friend’s or parent’s car to drive yourself and your date, paying only for the gasoline.
n Flowers – Purchase flowers at a local grocery store or drug store instead of a flower shop to save. Or purchase single-stemmed flowers and make your own corsage or boutonniere. Silk flowers can be purchased at craft stores and can be put together ahead of time. They can easily be coordinated with your attire and also make great souvenirs.
n Dinner – Dinner may be included in the price of the prom ticket for some schools. However, in most cases, the dance begins at around 8:00pm and students make reservations for dinner before they arrive at the prom. While this can be extremely expensive, dinner does not have to be at a gourmet restaurant. Call nearby restaurants to see where you can get the best deals and make reservations ahead of time.
n Tuxedos – Rent a tux for the night. Or better yet, borrow one from your older brother or a friend. Purchase the tux only if you’re going to use it again, and in the very near future! Some students shop at vintage stores for a different look.
n Dresses – Shop at outlet stores or on the Internet for a dress. Even if the dress is a size too big, it can easily be tailored to fit. Just remember, if you find a dress on the Internet, make sure you know the company’s return policies before making the purchase. Or purchase your own fabric and have a dressmaker create a personal design for you.
n Hair and makeup – Have your mom or an aunt apply your makeup and put up your hair. Do a practice-run first to decide exactly what you want. Similarly, some girls choose to have department store cosmetologists apply their makeup on the day of the prom – and best of all, it’s free!
n Photos – Bring your own camera to the prom instead of purchasing photograph packages through your school. Candid photographs can be taken to discount or drug stores for mass-printing and enlargements at reasonable cost.
Founded in 1987, Take Charge America, Inc. (TCA) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization headquartered in Phoenix, AZ. TCA is committed to helping consumers gain control of their finances and offers a variety of services.
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