Every year juniors and seniors prepare to make to enjoy one of their dances of the year and for some their educational career. For many parents, prom can be the thing of nightmares. With outfits, expensive tickets and transportation to think of this once a year dance can be a financial crisis. There are many ways to get around the classic prom problems though. With a little know how your child’s prom expenses will dwindle down to very little so you can actually enjoy this huge milestone in their life. After all, prom is one of the last moments you’ll get to share with your child before it is time for them to make the transition from high school student to college scholar. Plus, there’s nothing like seeing a smile on your kid’s face, especially when prom turned out just how they always dreamed it would.

1. Attire
Choosing the best dress or tuxedo for the prom can be one of the most difficult and priciest aspect of going to prom. There’s a lot of different styles to choose from which makes it really difficult to find what you need and want at a price that is affordable. Luckily, there’s many ways to get your attire at a price that won’t leave you hurting. In many communities there is an organization that will help students get their prom attire for free. These tuxes and dresses are typically used, but tend to be in excellent shape. You can also donate your old formal ware to these organizations so other people can be helped as well. If this isn’t a possibility in your area then you may want to check out some second hand stores to see what they have to offer. Many have a great selection and with a few alterations you can look chic for your big dance. You could also talk to friends and relatives about borrowing something from them which will save you even more money. Another huge way to save is to simply rent out the outfit. You can get a wide selection of styles at an affordable price and you won’t have to worry about clearing closet space for something you’re never going to wear again.

2. Beauty Schools
Most girls really want the royal treatment when it comes to getting ready for prom. This is great for the experience, but can be a terrible expenditure that can easily be avoided. From waxings, manicures, make up and hair styling your prom princess can get just about everything done at a beauty school. These schools are designed so students can get plenty of practice before they decide to take their qualifying exams. Although you might feel nervous about a student doing your hair you will certainly feel relieved once you sit in the styling chair. Most students are great with these types of tasks and are closely watched by instructors to ensure your hair won’t be messed up. You’ll end up getting the entire makeover for less than you would pay for one item in a regular salon. The best thing is you’ll be helping out a student who will be incredibly excited to make you look your best for such a memorable occasion.

3. Photography
Everyone wants to capture this major milestone in life, but sometimes it isn’t always plausible to purchase the portraits actually taken at the prom. These packages are usually over priced and tend to be a bit bland as the photographer is working more on an assembly line method than a personal method. Instead of opting to buy these photographs you may want to ask a student photographer to help you out. This will not only help out the student with practice and job experience, but will ensure you get what you need at a lower price. Of course, if you do have photographer friends you may want to ask them first because you might get a better deal out of it. If you’ve already hired a photographer for senior photos then you may want to ask if you can combine the senior photo package to include a few shots of your child and their prom date. The photographer might charge a bit extra for this, but it will still be cheaper than the package deals done at the school.

4. Carpool
Getting your child to the prom can be a major cost in itself. Most students don’t simply want a ride with parents and many of them don’t have gas money to make the trip themselves. For some students, a limo is the absolute best way to go, but this could cost the student and parents hundreds of dollars. If your child can’t go without the limo experience then try to encourage your child to get a group together to carpool. Each student could chip in for the limo so the cost is less burdensome. You could also only rent the limo out for an hour. This will give the students ample time to get from their pick up location to the school dance in style. Of course, if the limo isn’t on the must have list then you may want to ask your child to carpool with other students. Each student could chip in for the price of gas so getting to their destination and after parties could be exceptionally cheap.

5. Accessories
A lot of girls believe that the accessories make the dress, which could lead to an extra bill you’re not ready to pay for. Accessories can be an important part of the prom experience but you don’t have to go overboard when it comes to buying new things. In fact, if you can avoid buying new accessories you should. Try going through your jewelry collection to see if there is actually anything that will look great with your dress. If there isn’t then you may want to ask friends and family if they have anything you can borrow. Between what you already own and what you’ve borrowed you should be able to accessorize perfectly. However, if you feel you absolutely must have something new for the dance then try to get the purchase to a maximum of one new piece. This will give you a keepsake without spending a lot. You may also want to consider shopping at thrift store for some cheap vintage jewelry you’ll love. There are also many discount jewelry stores that can provide you with a great match for your dress.

6. Shoes
Shoes can really make or break an outfit. They can also bring up your total prom cost more than a hundred dollars if you’re not careful. There are a few ways to get rid of the shoe jitters though. If you already plan on going to prom in a floor length gown then there’s no reason to worry about the type of shoes you wear anyway. Instead of spending a fortune on heels you won’t wear again try putting on some flats or sneakers that you’re comfortable dancing in. This way you won’t have to buy more shoes nor will you have to nurse blisters after the dance. If you tend to be on the alternative side you may want to consider wearing your favorite high tops or combat boots for a look that suits you more than the traditional prom attire. This will also save you a lot of money and might even make you feel comfortable during the dance. Of course, if you absolutely have to have a new pair of shoes then consider buying a cheap pair that look rather plain. You can easily had your own special touch to it using gems, lace and whatever else you can think of. This will really draw people to your style and will provide you with a look no one else can copy.

7. After Party
Most students want a little more out of their night at the prom. Usually there’s a few students willing to hosts party afterward, but you may want to consider your school’s activities first. A lot of schools will actually host their own after party that students can actually spend the night at. This party tends to be well supervised and is one of the cheapest ways to keep kids entertained after the dance. If you do plan on hosting a get together for your student then try to keep it simple. You may want to host a small barbeque, but remember to consider the neighbors when you plan this out. You could also host a movie night for the teens so they can easily cool down from dancing and relax in their pajamas. Try renting a few top movies from a cheap venue or pop in a few classics that the kids grew up with.

8. Dining Out
Dancing can really work up a superb appetite which is probably why so many students flock to restaurant after the big dance. The only problem is most of the restaurants that are still open can really cost a fortune. A lot of students tend to one to try out a fancy restaurant after the dance anyway, but there are many ways to combat the high prices. You may want to call around and see if any of the local businesses are offering prom night specials. This is usually more likely to happen in smaller communities, but there is no harm in asking. You may also want to direct your student to diners that you know will be open and won’t cost a fortune. Many have extraordinary deals, such as Denny’s which will serve up some excellent food for only $2. You might also talk to your student about skipping dinner. Many proms are actually serving meals now which can fill your student up enough. Instead of the whole dining out experience it might be fun for students to simply go out for ice cream afterward.

9. Groupons
As prom slowly begins to inch nearer you may want to consider checking out Groupons in your local area. You might be surprised as to how many of these can be worked around the prom experience, so don’t pass up some of the good ones because you’re looking for specific prom groupons. For instance, there are many groupons available for spa days which could help pamper your future prom queen enough to avoid spending a ton of money at the salon before the big day. You may also find a groupon for shopping which could help with the dress, shoes and other must have accessories. Some of the more popular things to look at may be places to dine out as a groupon will help everyone at the table save big on the price of their meal after the dance.

10. Flowers
Flowers can be a last minute thing for most prom goers, especially the guys. There’s a lot of ways to get your date a bouquet without spending a lot though. Try shopping the day of prom and get the flowers that are clearanced. They’ll look great for prom photos and will appease your date even though they may not last as long afterward. You might consider picking your own as a romantic gesture that will pay off big. There’s also the option of creating your own out of fabric which is simple with internet tutorials and makes a great keepsake. If you’re into the duct tape prom craze then this may be even easier and will work great as a special pin for the tux as well as a corsage for your date.

When it comes to prom the hardest part should be awaiting the anticipation of the big dance. With these simple prom tips you’ll find your student will get more out of their prom without forcing you to pay even more money. You’ll relish in your child’s milestone for years to come while they relive the memory to their children.