Time Magazine on Prom-related Costs

[Orthodox6]

http://business.time...of-prom-season/

 

In this article, attending a prom is discussed as "a given." No alternatives to any part of the event are proposed. Nor does the author have enough creativity to suggest sewing ones own dress, skipping a high-priced hair salon, etc.. Nonetheless, he offers some ways to reduce the costs.

[jujsky]

People really spend that much for prom? That's insane. I always managed to snag good deals on prom dresses and I never went in a limo. I thing both proms and weddings are over-the-top now. It's ridiculous.

[bettyandbob]

My community center has a dress, shoe and accessory collection every winter and then two weeks before prom any girl can come in and "shop" for free. There's some nice stuff to be found.

 

My dh bought ds a tux on ebay for around $100. ds used it for 3 formals. It works out to a lot less than the going rate for rentals in my area.

 

Large amounts spent on prom are just stupid.

[fairfarmhand]

Even my 15 yo dd would consider that a colossal waste of money. She'd probably take 50-60 dollars, go to prom, have a great time and ask if she could use the rest of the money to buy something she REALLY wanted.

 

 

ETA: I just asked her. This is exactly what she said.

[Mrs Mungo]

These paid content authors are less and less savvy and knowledgable all the time. I feel sorry for the real journalists being put out of work by tripe like this.

[Orthodox6]

Something not pointed out in the article -- (and I like Mrs. Mungo's post, btw) -- is that at some point in time, somebody came up with the "clever" idea of inventing a "junior prom", thereby doubling the potential profits for purveyors of prom garb.

[Hikin' Mama]

Both of my sons each went to prom twice and didn't spend anywhere near that. They didn't go in a limo either. They did have to pay for all their expenses themselves. My husband and I shelled out nothing.

[amsunshine]

Somehow, this doesn't surprise me. It seems like most things having to do with parenting kids these days have become increasingly competitive.

[Vida Winter]

I would advocate doing away with prom altogether. Even thirty years ago it was a vastly overrated event.

[Jennifer3141]

I'm going to be the voice of dissent here. I loved my proms. They didn't always go the way I planned (Oh the horror of that Friday night breakup when prom is on Saturday!! :lol: ) but they were still a blast. And I loved getting dolled up at the salon and prom dress shopping with my Mom.

[Mrs Mungo]

I'm going to be the voice of dissent here. I loved my proms. They didn't always go the way I planned (Oh the horror of that Friday night breakup when prom is on Saturday!! :lol: ) but they were still a blast. And I loved getting dolled up at the salon and prom dress shopping with my Mom.

 

I enjoyed prom. But, my mom did my hair and my aunt made my dress as a graduation present. My aunt is quite the seamstress before anyone feels sorry for me in my homemade dress, lol. I had a date. We went to a nice dinner. We did not rent a limo or anything crazy like that. I didn't spend anything like $1,500, neither did my date.

[J-rap]

I find this article hard to believe. Sure, I know of some kids who have spent a lot, but most I know do not. At our PS, girls don't usually spend over $100 on a dress, $150 tops. Many buy used off of eBay, or borrow a dress from someone else. Boys often go in regular suits that they already own, or borrow a tux from the school's jazz choir. Dinner (held in the school gym) and prom ticket total $25. I certainly have never perceived any competition between families!

 

My own prom was a little pricier. I grew up in California, and our prom was held at some Naval Academy ballroom on the bay. But even then, we drove regular cars and bought less expensive dresses at the local department store. (And one year, my mother made it.)

[Delighted3]

Just did prom for our daughter and it cost us $255. It included a new dress, appropriate undergarments, shoes, some new make-up, ticket, and boutonniere for date. We did her hair, nails and make-up ourselves and there was no limo. This wasn't her senior prom. I might consider paying to go to a salon for her senior prom.

Joy

[Matryoshka]

One of the line items that continues to baffle me is getting make-up done. Why can't you do your own make-up?? What exactly is some "professional" going to do to them that they can't do themselves??

 

I also don't get manicures, didn't even get one for my wedding (and I put my own make-up on, too). But I do get that if you want one to last and look neat, the professional ones do better - I just gave up on the whole nail-polish thing, so that one doesn't mystify me quite as much...

[Jennifer3141]

I enjoyed prom. But, my mom did my hair and my aunt made my dress as a graduation present. My aunt is quite the seamstress before anyone feels sorry for me in my homemade dress, lol. I had a date. We went to a nice dinner. We did not rent a limo or anything crazy like that. I didn't spend anything like $1,500, neither did my date.

 

 

People from my school did a spread. There were girls who got used dresses or homemade dresses and there were fortunate kids like me who got the whole shebang because my parents could do that. I never did the limo thing but I did do a classic Mustang for my senior year. I spent the whole night hoping Dad would tell me he bought it for me for graduation but nope, I ended up with my Chevette the next day. :laugh:

[celticmom]

My prom was scheduled the friday night of the week of the AP exams. I had taken one or more AP exams for several days prior to the event. Needless to say I did not attend the prom. I was tired and ready to rest. I am an introvert who hates dressing up and shopping so the prom did hold alot of appeal for me anyway.

[Mrs Mungo]

 

 

 

People from my school did a spread. There were girls who got used dresses or homemade dresses and there were fortunate kids like me who got the whole shebang because my parents could do that. I never did the limo thing but I did do a classic Mustang for my senior year. I spent the whole night hoping Dad would tell me he bought it for me for graduation but nope, I ended up with my Chevette the next day. :laugh:

 

 

My first car was a '67 Mustang. So, who was really the fortunate one? ;)

[bettyandbob]

If dd goes to prom, I might spring for hair and makeup. Until last year she didn't realize that there were salons that specialized in women's hair. Apparently, she was quite oblivious to the fact that the only other people in the barber shop were men. Oh and she and I went to the barber shop once a year or less. I took her to a salon after she cut her hair for locks of love. Since then she's been to Hair Cuttery once.

 

As for make up, dd doesn't wear make up and wouldn't know what to do--she's told me this. She knows how to put on stage make up for ballet and she's done competition make up for her time in competitive cheer. Neither would be anything like you'd want to look for Prom. I don't wear make up often so I would be a terrible teacher. I paid for my make up for my wedding and it was worth it. Perhaps for prom we will watch youtube and maybe go to a department store make up counter. I do know a professional can do make up better (depending on who you hire).

 

dd doesn't like to spend money so she'd find every way possible to do this cheap.

[MrsMommy]

I'm convinced that prom is where future bridezillas are born.

 

Maybe I'm missing something because I never went to prom, but I just can't wrap my head around spending that kind of money for a high school party. It's ridiculous. Such a waste, especially considering that these are people who are (usually) headed toward college, and that money could be going to something so much more important, like books and tuition.

[Jennifer3141]

My first car was a '67 Mustang. So, who was really the fortunate one? ;)

 

 

You were, baby! But the advertures that Chevette and I went on... Like the night my college roomate and I decided we needed to see NYC for ourselves and just took off from Michigan to the city. Randomly! In the middle of the night! Ah, the days of adventures. :)

 

And I had lovely proms but I never became a bridezilla. I had two lovely weddings. :lol:

 

It wasn't a hardship for us though. Yes, my Dad complained about the cost of shoes and dresses but that was what he was supposed to do. It didn't impact my college spending or my wedding budget in the least. My parents considered that a cost of parenting. Other people have different budgets and different priorities. I wouldn't consider any of it a, "waste."

[Mommy22alyns]

This is TIME magazine, for Pete's sake. Can't they edit their own articles?

 

But as the economy improved spending shot passed $1,000 last year before jumping again this spring, according to an annual Visa survey.

[Quiver0f10]

Our homeschool group has a winter and a spring formal. My 18 year old spent $35 for each gown at thrift stores. She does her own makeup and gets her hair done for $40. Our sons are going as her dates lol.. One we got pants for $5 at goodwill and a jacket for $20. He has a dress shirt, tie and dress shoes already. The other is borrowing a suit from his older brother. I can't imagine spending $1K on prom?

[TravelingChris]

I thought the interesting thing about the article was the more income the families had, the less they spent on prom. The families with incomes less than 30,000 spent the most. Also single parents spent more than married.

[Chelle in MO]

You were, baby! But the advertures that Chevette and I went on... Like the night my college roomate and I decided we needed to see NYC for ourselves and just took off from Michigan to the city. Randomly! In the middle of the night! Ah, the days of adventures. :)

 

My '77 Chevette and I went on an adventure from MO to CA. Not spur-of-the-moment like yours, but fun nevertheless!

 

Dh (who was dbf at the time) had to pop-rivet sheet metal under the driver's side floorboard because you could see through to the street! We called it the Flintstone Mobile!

 

Mine was Big Bird yellow--what color was yours?

[GSOchristie]

I shoot high end weddings, make up usually runs around $80, hair another $80. So $160 for hair and make-up and even $250 for a dress, $40 for nails, $20 for flowers, $50 for dinner (because come on, you can't even drink), $50 for a ticket. That's $570. I just have a hard time believing someone is spending $1,500, unless they're buying Louboutin's, which would be ridiculous. Maybe it is far more expensive in places like NYC and LA and that is skewing the average figure.

[GSOchristie]

But...we regularly shoot weddings well over $100,000. We live in NC, these are usually in Raleigh/Durham/Charlotte, not high COL areas. So basically people are crazy when it comes to "special" events, I don't know why I have a hard time believing $1500 for prom.

[VeritasMama]

Prom was free at our small high school, the Junior class did fundraisers for years and completely hosted it and paid for everything, even a free banquet before hand.

 

The after prom party was hosted by the Parents association, it was intended to keep kids forom drinking at after parties. It usually had casino games, dancing, lots of nice door prizes such as tvs and dorm fridges. Again, all free.

 

In a small town like I grew up in, the option for lavish proms at expensive hotels is not really there. Our dance was at the city auditorium, and the banquet and after party were at the local Elks club. That makes it hard to break the bank. I think my junior class ended up spending 5,000 total for 300 people to attend the banquet and the dance, that included decor, food, facility rentals, everything.

 

I think I spent 90 dollars on a dress, flowers cost 30 dollars, I remember tux rentals being 100-150. We didn't bother with a limo, and dinner was free at the banquet. I did my own hair. But I've always been frugal, and that was 15 years ago...

[FaithManor]

These paid content authors are less and less savvy and knowledgable all the time. I feel sorry for the real journalists being put out of work by tripe like this.

 

Thank you!

 

Faith

[KatieJ]

Our 4 kids all went to Proms. I covered the dress/tux costs and they pretty much covered the rest of the expenses. I sewed my oldest daughters prom dress. We later remodeled it and she wore it on several cruises for formal night. We found our 2nd DD prom dress on a clearance rack while we were on a trip. It survived a plumbing leak in the hotel closet and a plane ride home. It went on to be her favorite formal of all time and it cost $35.00. It was last year's version of a very popular designer. Gorgeous dress.

Sons, tuxes. Oye. Expensive. 2nd son ended up working for the tux shop and saved some money that way.

 

Limos. Nope, never happened.

[Crimson Wife]

I shoot high end weddings, make up usually runs around $80, hair another $80. So $160 for hair and make-up and even $250 for a dress, $40 for nails, $20 for flowers, $50 for dinner (because come on, you can't even drink), $50 for a ticket. That's $570. I just have a hard time believing someone is spending $1,500, unless they're buying Louboutin's, which would be ridiculous. Maybe it is far more expensive in places like NYC and LA and that is skewing the average figure.

 

 

Some typical expenses that you're not including are the picture package, jewelery and other accessories, limousine, and hotel room. I didn't do the last two (my parents never in a million years would've allowed the last one) but most of my classmates did.

[LibraryLover]

Meh.

 

I guess I've seen too many YouTube vids of UK's My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding.

 

If parents and kids want to pay for this, go right ahead. Over-the-top parties are nothing new, and somebody makes money. I doubt kids outside of LA or Long Island are paying 1,500 per kid, even if one rents an Armani tux. That number seems like a real stretch. If a group rents a hotel room, they are sharing the cost of a room, as well as the limo.

 

Who researches this stuff?

[SarahW]

I thought the interesting thing about the article was the more income the families had, the less they spent on prom. The families with incomes less than 30,000 spent the most. Also single parents spent more than married.

 

 

I went to prom with a guy who's parents made 6 figures - each. We went because we got free tickets for passing a doesn't-count-but-we-really-want-you-to-do-good-so-we-look-great senior exam, he wore a nice suit, we ate dinner at prom (it was a small dinner spread, but at the Hilton), and we went in his old Honda civic. Afterwards we went to his house and watched The Matirx (we were dorks, okay?). He snickered at the limos, the fancy stuff, and the kids whose parents rented a room for them at the Hilton (even though numerous notices went out asking parents not to do that). I think to the rich this sort of thing is just filed away in the compartment of Another Obligatory Social Engagement That Means Little. Whereas for the poorer it is Once in a Lifetime Event.

 

I've never been more than poor, but I have had the chance to be inside the country clubs where only the extremely wealthy are members. Comparatively, my prom was a yawner, even though it was held in a Hilton ballroom.

[KungFuPanda]

That report is either exaggerated or regional. I don't know anyone who spent that much on prom and I have a daughter in high school and live in town where a lot of people are well educated and make a decent living. The venue depends upon fundraising. These kids recently had a prom at the Raven's stadium, but the out-of-pocket tickets aren't astronomical. Maybe it's just that I only hang out with people who would find $1000 prom expenses completely ridiculous?

[LibraryLover]

,

[FaithManor]

I must just be too pragmatic or something. I still just cannot find the value in a prom. For $1500.00, a kid can spend two weeks at MTU participating in their high school science camps and there are alumni scholarships for those that go on to apply to college there.

 

For less than $1500.00, a student can spend a week at space camp, robotics camp, or aviation camp in Huntsville, AL.

 

For $1500.00, an entire rocket team can be sponsored for a year of Team America Rocketry Challenge.

 

According to Expedia, for $1500.00, a student can get airfare and five nights in a 4 star rated hotel in London, England. FOr $600.00 less, the same number of days in Montego Bay, Jamaica (which I highly recommend :D as FAAAAAAAAAAAR better than the prom).

 

Three kids could go on a two day paleontological dig in the Badlands.

 

Two semester of college books plus gas to and from school a few times for Michigan residents.

 

Half the cost of a reasonable not too beat used car that gets decent gas mileage around here such as a Saturn or Taurus.

 

Very few high school "sweethearts" get married these days. Yes, I recognize that some people do meet there significant other in high school, but it's much more rare than it used to be. So, $1500.00 for a night out with someone who will be nothing but a vague memory in 10 years?

Not a fan.

 

It is fun, and it can be memorable. But, I think the best I could cough up for it would be about $100.00.

 

Faith

I thought the interesting thing about the article was the more income the families had, the less they spent on prom. The families with incomes less than 30,000 spent the most. Also single parents spent more than married.

 

That was the most interesting thing, and it said that single parents, on average, spend almost twice what married parents spend, something like $1500 for single parents vs. $770 for married. That is starting to fail my "sniff test". Single parents spend, on average $1500 per prom per kid? Really? So half of single parents spend more than $1500? How? Where does it go? OK, so that's not the way math works, so I guess I'd like to know what the median amount spent on prom is. Could it be that this self-reported survey is just bogus?

[bettyandbob]

I know a family who spent around 100k on a first born son's Bar Mitzvah. This was about 15 years ago.

 

I still don't believe most kids, even wealthy ones, are spending that amount. You can always borrow Mom's Blahnik's. :)

 

'Journalists' love to cause drama, and we stupidly click. Although I didn't read this article. lol No clicks from me on that one. But it comes up every year, and the more numbers, the more drama. Meh.

 

A Bar Mitzvah is not a prom. Jewish families I know have said you budget for a Bar Mitzvah like you budget for a wedding. If I were Jewish I do not know if I'd spend 100K, but I do know people do blow 100K on weddings.

[SarahW]

 

That was the most interesting thing, and it said that single parents, on average, spend almost twice what married parents spend, something like $1500 for single parents vs. $770 for married. That is starting to fail my "sniff test". Single parents spend, on average $1500 per prom per kid? Really? So half of single parents spend more than $1500? How? Where does it go? OK, so that's not the way math works, so I guess I'd like to know what the median amount spent on prom is. Could it be that this self-reported survey is just bogus?

 

 

I suspect that some single parents do spend a lot, and I suspect it is for the same reason that the Bennet family spent good money to send all their daughters to fancy private balls.

[bettyandbob]

I think sometimes people of lower incomes do spend more than people of higher incomes for things like prom. I think there's desire to look like you can afford things that you perceive others affording along with a lack of sophistication about how to pull off participation in such activities inexpensively. Everyone who attends prom wants to look like they belong.

[NicksMama-Zack's Mama Too]

My best friend spent about $1500 for her son to go to the prom. Tux, fancy flowers, expensive dinner and a stretch limo to attend a prom with a female friend who was not even a steady girlfriend. The parents are deeply in debt, but were willing to do whatever it takes to show their son's ex-girlfriend that she made a mistake by dumping him.

 

Sometimes, I just don't get people. I wish this article surprised me. Fools and their money and all that...

My best friend spent about $1500 for her son to go to the prom. Tux, fancy flowers, expensive dinner and a stretch limo to attend a prom with a female friend who was not even a steady girlfriend. The parents are deeply in debt, but were willing to do whatever it takes to show their son's ex-girlfriend that she made a mistake by dumping him.

 

Sometimes, I just don't get people. I wish this article surprised me. Fools and their money and all that...

 

 

Do you have any idea where the $1500 went? $1500, especially for a boy, seems outrageous. $100 to rent a tux, maybe $200 for dinner, $200 for limo, $100 for corsage, $100 for tickets, and we aren't halfway to the total.

 

And, even though we all agree that $1500 is a lot, this is just the _average_ (according to the survey) for single parents, meaning that significant numbers of people are spending significantly more.

[NicksMama-Zack's Mama Too]

 

Do you have any idea where the $1500 went? $1500, especially for a boy, seems outrageous. $100 to rent a tux, maybe $200 for dinner, $200 for limo, $100 for corsage, $100 for tickets, and we aren't halfway to the total.

 

And, even though we all agree that $1500 is a lot, this is just the _average_ (according to the survey) for single parents, meaning that significant numbers of people are spending significantly more.

 

 

The stretch limo was $120/hr, 6-hour minimum (they ended up having it 8 hours). There were also pictures and keepsakes purchased and an after-prom party that lasted into the morning that cost extra.

 

There is no way I'd spring for a limo for a high-school kid. Hell, I've never even been in one myself.

[NicksMama-Zack's Mama Too]

 

Do you have any idea where the $1500 went? $1500, especially for a boy, seems outrageous. $100 to rent a tux, maybe $200 for dinner, $200 for limo, $100 for corsage, $100 for tickets, and we aren't halfway to the total.

 

And, even though we all agree that $1500 is a lot, this is just the _average_ (according to the survey) for single parents, meaning that significant numbers of people are spending significantly more.

 

 

The stretch limo was $120/hr, 6-hour minimum (they ended up having it 8 hours). There were also pictures and keepsakes purchased and an after-prom party that lasted into the morning that cost extra.

 

There is no way I'd spring for a limo for a high-school kid. Hell, I've never even been in one myself.

[Amber in SJ]

We never spent more than $250 total to send our dd to prom. She attended 4 formal dances her final two years of high school, although she never attended high school. You just have to know & employ all the tricks. You also have to enlist the support of all your child's friend's parents so that it is a nice sized group that is going together frugally so no one feels like they were left out. One of dd's friends showed up in $800 shoes. $800! And after less than an hour she took them off and slipped on dd's $15 flats that dd brought just in case her heels were too uncomfortable.

 

Spending that kind of money on prom is just not possible at our house and I don't think we'd do it even if we could.

 

Amber in SJ

[zillymom]

I skipped my prom. Instead, my boyfriend and I got dressed up (not prom dress dressy, but very nice), went out for a fancy dinner (fancy for high school kids, at least), and then went to hear Hélène Grimaud perform with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Got to meet her afterward, too! I remember people telling me I'd regret missing my prom, but I'm almost 37 now and still haven't felt that regret. I just think back to it and remember how perfect that evening was.

[momofkhm]

I read the first paragraph to dh and even he thinks it's ridiculous! Then he asked what we spend. $50 for the ticket and dd had to pay for that. Then we bought her dress. This year it was $117 bought on-line. The ticket includes dinner and a photo. She's going with a bunch of girls. There were enough last year and this year to fill a table, maybe 2 tables last year.

 

Mom will be in town this year so mom and I will help with hair and such, pictures by us before prom. She may drive herself, I'm not sure yet but certainly no limo!

 

When I went to prom in the dark ages, the junior class raised money for 3 years to pay for prom and then put on prom for the seniors. It was free to all who attended. We went out for dinner beforehand. Mom bought my dresses - $2.50 for one and $17 for the other. The cheaper one was at a second hand store, half price sale! The other was that much on sale. No limos. DH (my date to both) borrowed his dad's nice car for the events.

[Melissa in Australia]

they don't do proms where I live. they do however do a debutante ball for the 16 year old girls every second year.

 

I never did my debutant as both myself and my parents thought it a silly thing to do

[Lizzie in Ma]

Stupid. Just stupid. My kids know the value of a dollar and would never waste hard earned money on a prom like that!