How to Save Money on Prom Expenses

A few hundred on prom dresses. At least a hundred on a limo. Fifty dollars on makeup, sixty dollars for hair, eighty or more for shoes... prom expenses can add up fast, and you'll easily be out two to five thousand dollars. Sure, it's a 'special night', but do you have to mortgage your home to be able to afford going to prom?!

Cutting cost on prom expenses isn't as hard as you may think, though, and you may find yourself pleasantly surprised at how little you spend if you do a little work!

Saving Money on Prom Dresses

Prom dresses can be the biggest thing that you'll spend your money on that night, and prices can go into the thousands - and higher. Your entire savings could go to this prom expense, and we're not even talking shoes!

Try shopping a month or more early for the dress of her dreams, and going online to find something truly special can really be a lifesaver. Don't ever leave it to the last minute, as prom dresses aren't something that should be bought two days before the big night - you'll spend more than you meant to, and get something that she only sort of likes.

Also, if your daughter isn't like some teenage girls, snoop around at your local Goodwill, Salvation Army, and other used clothing stores. Sometimes you can find an incredible, nearly new dress that will be something no one else at the dance has. If you're crafty, it doesn't have to even fit quite right - pulling a dress in, or taking it out, doesn't take much work, and can make a prom really special.

Saving Money When It Comes to Prom Hair and Makeup

You can easily spend a few hundred dollars on getting your daughter's hair and makeup 'just right' for only one night of enjoyment. This can seriously cut a hole in your budget, but isn't very hard to work around.

Find a hairstyle that you both like a week to two weeks before prom, and start learning! Doing it yourself can save you a lot of money, and she'll feel beautiful walking around the house - or even going to school - with her hair decked out. You can even go to your local craft store, or beauty supply shop, and get glitter, rhinestones, and sparkling clips to make it unique and beauty.

Makeup for prom can be a little trickier - but you might just be able to find a beauty student who can do a wonderful job for a lot less! Grab the phone book and start calling your local beauty schools, and find out if anyone has prom night open for cosmetology. You can get your daughter a manicure and full makeup for less than half of what you would pay at a salon, and beauty students have to be reviewed by a trained professional before getting the okay - at least, when they're on the clock!

Saving Money on a Limo for Prom

A limo is something every girl wants, and very few get. Most parents cringe when they hear the word 'limousine', but don't fear - getting a limo for prom doesn't have to take everything out of your prom expenses!

See if your daughter would like to go with friends; splitting a limo cost can make your budget ease dramatically, and you won't have to worry about her prom night in a backseat alone.

Call around early, too, to make reservations; and don't settle on the first call! Find the cheapest, and the safest, and call everyone before you decide. It may sound aggravating, but if you settle for one that 'has a nice name', 'promises champagne', or you simply 'have a gut feeling about' (Or was it that taco?), you'll spend more than your prom expenses can handle.

However much your child begs, don't buy the biggest limo for prom. Ever. Prices skyrocket with each length, and who really needs the biggest-and-best? Settling for a nice size can save you cash and keep her happy.

Overall, it can be hard to save on prom expenses. But doing a little digging, and not buying the best of the best, can really make it a special night, without having to spend a small fortune.