7 Ways to Cut down on Prom Costs ...

One of the best ways to cut down on prom costs is to set a budget. This means that spending won't get out of hand, whereas if you pay for everything, you could find yourself spending a fortune. Dress, hair, makeup, transport etc. soon add up. Setting a budget is also a good way for your teen to learn to prioritise spending. For example, if they want a limo, then they'll have to economise on the dress.

Shop around online and you can find some gorgeous dresses at very low prices. Many parents order from China, although you'll need to order well in advance to allow for slow delivery times. You could also buy a second-hand dress on eBay, or look in local vintage/resale stores. Or if you are good at sewing, you could make the dress yourself. There are lots of ways to save money on a prom dress!

Get together with other parents and organise transport. Even a limo can work out reasonably priced if shared among a group. Other alternatives are to borrow a car if you know someone with a luxury or vintage vehicle or to simply call a cab. You can even drive your daughter to the prom yourself - a limo really isn't a necessity.

One of best ways to save money on prom is to use what you already have at home. The dress is going to be the most important item in the outfit - it's the piece that everyone will notice. So if you're going to splash out on anything, the dress is probably the best choice. Look in your closet to see if you already have shoes and jewellery that will go with the dress.

Some parents are hiring makeup artists and hairdressers to get their daughters ready for her prom. But you will save a lot of money on prom by helping your daughter to do her own hair and makeup, or getting her friends to do it. There are plenty of tutorials that will show you how to style hair for a special occasion - just be sure to practise the style in advance.

It may be tempting to pay for a formal portrait of your daughter to remember her prom by, but it's really not necessary. Digital cameras are now so good that anyone can take perfectly adequate photos. You can probably find a much nicer location than a studio to take photos, such as your own garden or a public park.

Finally, there's no need to pay for your child to eat at an expensive restaurant before the prom. Have a meal at home for her and her friends, which will be just as much fun as eating out. This is one of the simplest answers for how to save on prom costs. Just make sure to protect the dresses from food stains!

Proms are a nice way to mark the end of school, but the costs can easily get out of hand. So try these tips to help avoid spending far too much. Did you have a memorable prom?