TWEENS & TEENS
— by Myrna Beth Haskell
It ’s Prom Season:
Bust a Move, Not your Bank Account!
I
dug out a faded Polaroid photo
of my first prom the other day.
I thought it might jar memories
of how things were done back then. I am
smiling and wearing a long, white gown
embellished with pink, embroidered
flowers. My boyfriend is in a tux. We
are standing next to a dilapidated, brown
Ford Pinto. My hair is typical of how I
always wore it. Perhaps I spent some ex-
tra time on it, but I definitely didn’t go to
a salon. My nails resemble painted stubs
(I bit them fiercely in my teen years).
Although photos capture prom at-
tire and transportation, these are not the
memories your teen will cherish. More
likely, they’ll recall a first kiss, dancing
wildly to a favorite song, or the after-
prom party at a friend’s house where they
might pig out on scrambled eggs and
contemplate their plans for the future.
I don’t remember the prom being a
major expense, at least not to the extent
that is seems to be today. Prom expenses
have gotten out of control, but, honest-
ly, they don’t have to be equivalent to
root canals or weekend getaways. Here
are some great ways teens can save and
still look fabulous while garnering spe-
52 WNY Family May 2019
cial memories that will last a
lifetime.
Six Areas to
Find Savings
Tickets
Prom tickets can be ex-
tremely expensive. Besides
thinking ahead and setting
a budget to pay for them,
students should explore
fundraiser contests at their
high school. Sometimes top
sellers get free tickets. Per-
haps the prom committee offers dis-
counted tickets to students who work at
the prom. Another possibility:Ask your
guidance counselor if free or discounted
tickets are offered to students who can
demonstrate financial need.
Attire
net is also a great place to find deals —
check out eBay and Craigslist. Renting
prom dresses is common today and can
be done online (check out www.rent-
therunway.com). Search for consign-
ment boutiques that host “exchange pro-
grams.” Students can trade in their used
dress and purchase a gently used one for
a fraction of the original cost.
Students in need: My daughter’s
high school has a “free prom dress” pro-
gram. Dresses are donated for students
who can’t afford to purchase one. Also
common are community events (often
hosted by nonprofits) that offer free or
reduced prom dresses as annual service
projects. Students can explore this op-
tion by checking with their local cham-
ber of commerce, county events page, or
with their high school guidance depart-
ment. These programs also provide op-
portunities for students to “give back,”
by donating their gently-used attire.
For the guys: Believe it or not,
purchasing a tuxedo
might be an affordable
option since rentals
have gotten so costly.
Young men needing a
tux for more than one
event should check
out department store
sales (i.e., Depart-
ment stores, such as
JCPenney, sell tuxedo
separates which are
very affordable when
coupled with additional
coupons). If renting is a
must, look for stores that offer discounts
to local schools.
Accessorize for less: No need to
buy new. Borrow formal accessories
from a friend or relative.
Personal Grooming
There are numerous options for
finding affordable prom dresses. Stu-
dents don’t have to pay full price to look
stunning! If a salon visit is your dream, search
for discounts. Some salons offer group
discounts or reduced prices for those
who allow photographs to be taken for
advertising or training purposes.
Browse through pre-season sales.
Most stores offer discounts for spring
in late January and February. The Inter- Of course, another option is to do
your own hair and make-up or to ask
a friend or relative to help. Be sure to