It’s prom season, and parents are feeling the pinch of financing the night of their high school student’s dreams.
In a recent study published by VISA, adding up the dress, shoes, makeup, nails, tux, flowers, dinner, limo and dance tickets totals an amazing $1,139,00 in 2013-far more than any teens that I know can afford.
So the question is, is it worth it?
Read more about prom costs in my article, “How to Avoid Overspending on Prom and Have Fun Doing It” and see what you think…is one night worth the cost?
Do you remember how much you spent on your prom? Has your child gone to prom recently? How did you handle the high cost of prom night?
Yahoo liked my article so much they added it into their feature, “Soaring and ‘genuinely silly’ prom costs prompt families to budget for big dance” on The Lookout Yahoo! News blog!
Comments: 6
Amanda Sharpe
May 6, 2013When I went to prom I wore a green vintage sheath dress from the 60s that I bought at a second hand store in downtown Sacramento for $15. I did pay to have my hair done, but I did my own makeup.
My date and I carpooled with a bunch of friends in someone’s Volvo stationwagon, and the two of us sat in the back in the fold-out seats facing the back of the car. I arrived slightly wrinkled, but still in good spirits. 🙂
I think it’s ridiculous to spend over $1000 on one dance. I am of a similar opinion about many of the things that our society tells us to spend big on, though, like engagement rings, weddings, etc.
Amanda Sharpe recently posted…Finally, MOOCs for Teacher Education!
Jennifer Wolfe
May 6, 2013Amanda, I love the image of you climbing out of the Volvo, slightly nauseated perhaps, a bit wrinkled for sure, in your vintage dress! Those are the stories that make people interesting! Thanks so much for commenting…~Jennifer
My Inner Chick
May 5, 2013–Both of my boys went to MANY dances.
Is it worth it?
The expericnec is wonderful, but the prices are OUTRAGEOUS.
I truly think it’s overboard nowadays.
Don’t you?
My Inner Chick recently posted…Big Hats, Buck House, & Beautiful Harry
Jennifer Wolfe
May 6, 2013It is overboard…they lose sight of the real purpose of the dance, and to top it off, if you’re going with someone you only ‘kind of’ like, it’s a whole lot of pressure to make it worthwhile! ~Jennifer
Kathy Radigan
May 4, 2013I didn’t go to my prom, I went away to the beach for the weekend with a friend. We had a great time but we ended up spending a little to much time in the sun and got really burnt!! I went the next year with a guy friend to his prom and I probably spent about about 300 on my dress and all the other stuff! Different time!
Kathy Radigan recently posted…DIY Stacked Herb Garden by Fancy Frugal Life
Jennifer Wolfe
May 5, 2013Nice to see you back, Kathy! Yes-prom now is a different game than years ago, but I think kids are living in a different age. I was happy my daughter kept it reasonable and saw that the focus should be on having fun, not all the other stuff. Thanks for commenting! -Jennifer