Homecoming is a huge part of the high school experience and is celebrated at some colleges too. Although its a great way to come together with your peers and support your football team the price of attending homecoming can be pretty pricey. If you’re willing to make a few changes to your plans you can have the time of your life without hurting your budget though. With these ten simple tricks you can cut out the high expenses and put back some money for your next big dance. You won’t have to sacrifice a lot to make the evening special which will help you feel even more in the mood to share your team spirit! From the game to the dance floor, with these money saving tips you’ll be ready to make this homecoming event a year to remember.
1. Carpool
For many homecoming is a time of extravagance, which means going the whole nine yards and hiring a limo to drop you off at your destination. The only problem with this is, homecoming involves a game and a dance so you’ll have to spend a lot more money to show up in style. If you do plan on getting a limo then try to get as many people as possible in on the cost. This will allow you to spend a little since the cost of the evening will be substantially more. Of course, the alternative to the transportation dilemma is to carpool with friends. This will allow you to be able to come and go as you please without having to spend a whole lot of money. Try to get everyone to chip in for gas and parking and the evening should go on without costing you hundreds of dollars. The best thing about taking your own car is you can leave the game a little early to avoid lines at the dance, or you can stay a little later to help cheer on your team without worrying about the limo having to wait!
2. Used Dresses/Tuxes
Getting dressed up for the big night is one of the most expensive aspects of homecoming. New dresses and tuxes can set you back hundreds of dollars which won’t do your budget any favors. There’s a way around the high cost of your attire though. You can easily rent a suit or dress if you find something you like, but even that may cost more than its worth. Instead, before you go shopping ask your friends and family if they have a dress you can borrow for the big night. This is great when you have older siblings, cousins or even friends that may have gone to homecoming the year before. Make sure everything fits right before you head to the big event though. If you don’t have any luck with finding a borrowed outfit then look to your local consignment and thrift stores. Here you should find a wide selection of dresses that will make the night seem perfect. You could also check out online auction sites or consignment stores to see if there is anything you may want here too. This should probably be a last resort though as you will have to way for the item to arrive in the mail, so it may cut alteration time a bit short.
3. Accessories
Accessories can make your style go from great to amazing in no time flat, but you shouldn’t get carried away. Shoes are probably the most important thing you can get, but wait until you’re absolute positive which dress you will be wearing. You should also consider the style before you purchase. Homecoming involves a game and a dance, so you may want to refrain from buying heels because walking up and down stairs in them isn’t going to feel great after the first half an hour. If you can, try to borrow shoes from a close family member or friend. This will help cut down the cost of your expenses substantially. You might also look into buying a cheaper pair of shoes and adding a few DIY touches to them. When it comes to jewelry and other pieces try to keep it light. The best thing you can do is use items you already own or borrow from someone else. Of course, if you do want to buy something new then keep it on the cheaper side so you have more to spend elsewhere. Second hand stores are great for finding jewelry that doesn’t cost a fortune, so you may want to start your journey here.
4. DIY Mum/corsage
A lot of homecoming traditions call for a mum. This is widely popular in southern states, but if you don’t have to buy a mum then you’ll probably want a corsage. Both of these items can just you a lot of money if you’re not careful, but one easy way to avoid the huge price tag is to make it yourself. Corsages are a lot easier than the mum. Simply buy some of your favorite flowers or your dates and add them to a simple cardboard backing. You can buy all the supplies needed at a craft store or your local florists. Mums may be a bit more complicated, but don’t stress it now. You can easily pick up a real or fake mum at a craft store florists which will probably be the hardest part of the project. After you’ve picked your flower then try to pick up ribbon in your schools colors, bells and school spirit decals! All of these items can be found anywhere a mum is sold, a craft store or the internet. If you’re having trouble getting started then look online for tutorials, there’s lots of them!
5. Hair
There’s absolutely no reason to go out and spend a lot of money on getting your hair done for homecoming. This is one of the biggest expenses that isn’t necessary at all. Instead of having a professional work on your hair ask a parent, relative or friend that may be skilled in this area. Usually people are more than happy to help. This will also ensure you don’t have long wait periods before the party, so your hair will look amazing throughout the night. You could also invite your friends over for a hair party before you leave. Everyone can help out when it comes to primping and getting the perfect hair styles. You can even make a party of it with snacks and music. You’ll have so much fun doing this that it may actually become the highlight of the night. It will also make it easier for your carpool to disperse to the party without having to waste a lot of money on gas. If you do feel the need to get your hair done look for sales or coupons first, or head to your local beauty school.
6. Makeup
Makeup is another major expense you can cut from your budget if you need to save money. Try to use the makeup you have at home to create a look that will leave your date mesmerized. You can easily have a friend or family member do your makeup for you if you’re looking for the royal treatment. Of course, if you do want to go out there are other ways to get a makeover without the huge price tag. Try going to the local beauty school or look for coupons for this area of expertise. You may also want to consider going to mall to look for a free makeover. A lot of stores will offer these if you’re looking to buy makeup from them. This will help you find out the colors you should be working with. You may have to plan this out ahead of time, but most stores won’t have a problem helping you out on short notice. Of course, you will probably have to buy an item so make sure to take inventory of what you need before you go in.
7. Nails
You should avoid spending the money to have your nails done. Instead, make this part of your pre-party. You can easily color coordinate your nails with your friends at a price that won’t harm anyone’s budget. There’s a lot of department and discount stores that sale bulk boxes of fake nails. Try to get everyone to chip in on the purchase and add a few nail polishes with your school colors on them of finish up the expense. There’s a lot of fun tutorials online that can transform your nails into works of art at such a small cost. You may even want to splurge for some rhinestones to make your look even more spectacular.
8. Student Discount
Students have a great asset when it comes to shopping and that’s their student I.D. card. This simple piece of plastic can help take 10-20% off items you may need for your homecoming celebration. In order to save money on your services make sure to call around to ask who takes the discount. This will help narrow down your shopping search so you can easily find what you’re looking for at a price that won’t send your parents screaming. Discounts can be found across the board too. From getting hair and nails done to eating at a restaurant after the dance. With the student discount on your side your spending will significantly decrease. You may also be able to use this discount on the pictures taken at the school, so you can enjoy the memories you had at the dance for years to come. Most importantly, a student discount card will cut down the prices of your game and dance tickets so you can attend for much less.
9. Dine In
A lot of people love to go out to eat after the game and dance, but this can harm your budget if you’re not careful. A lot of restaurants will hike up the prices during special occasions or may just charge more for anyone wanting to dine at such a late hour. Instead of planning to eat afterwards try to dine in at home. You can easily do this before the game as you get ready for the night, or you can invite your group to your home for a little dinner after the party. When you cut out this unnecessary cost you’ll have more to spend on drinks and snacks at the game!
10. Shop Early
Looking for your dress, making reservations and finding tickets is a lot easier if you do a little early bird shopping. Generally, the day of homecoming is announced on the school calendar that you get the first week of school. As soon as you find out the date you should begin planning for your dress or tux. The earlier you shop the better the deals you’ll find as everything will still be out of season. Buying tickets early is also a major bonus. Usually purchasing tickets from the school will cut down the price as you usually have to pay a dollar or two more when you purchase them the day of the game. Since you will have to buy two separate tickets this will help you save even more money.
Homecoming is a great time to enjoy your friends, school and team so don’t let your budget ruin the experience for you. These tips can help you find the look you’ve always wanted without forcing you to do spend more money than you want. Now, all you have to do is worry about finding the perfect date and having the night of your life!
