It’s the big event of the year for most Senior students! Nope, it’s not graduation, but that’s right there at the top of the list. What beat’s it out for most is prom, with all it’s glam and glitz….and crazy-priced outfits. And as a parent, or any guardian, you dread the day and the cash you’ll have to fork out. But don’t pass out from fear, because there are ways to cut on the cost and still give that Senior guy or gal a fun night with friends. Pass these tips along to your child and they can understand the balance of the 2:

• Create a budget. With any costly event or purchase, a plan of action will help you stay on course and just say no to those $100 corsages you think you just have to have.
• Shop smart. Why run the risk of buying the same designer dress as someone else when you can avoid that altogether and save money by shopping consignment shops, eBay, and Etsy.
• Better yet, don’t shop at all. No shame in wearing a dress you already have, or borrowing a suit from your dad, or raiding your friend’s closet. There is zero to little chance you’ll ever wear your prom dress again, so borrowing is a very wise decision.
• Get your makeup done at Sephora. Here’s a little secret. You can make an appointment to get your makeup done at Sephora for free, as long as you spend $50 at the store. Use that money to check a Mother’s Day gift off the list, or stock up on some basics you’ll need and it’ll save you money in the long haul.
• Granted, it might be hard to get an appointment there day of — so cheaper still is firing up the old YouTube. There are some excellent makeup tutorials on there. Have fun trying them out a few weeks in advance, then DIY makeup prom night like an effing boss.
• Paying for photos is so 1998. Everyone and their mother, including yours, by the way, whom I’m sure would be thrilled with the request, have a digital camera, if not an iPhone, with which they can snap extremely high-quality photos of you and your date. Gone are the days when the professional photographers have all the fancy equipment — that thing you’re texting on is pretty much just as good.
• Limos? Ummm. Limos and/or any kind of car service is super fun, I can’t deny that. They’re expensive, but they may be worth the splurge, especially if you think you might accidentally have a glass of grape juice that’s gone bad. Consider, though, paying a family member or a friend to be your driver all night. For half the price, it might be worth it.
• Fancy dinner is for losers. You’re too amped up to enjoy that $30 halibut you ordered anyway, so play it cool and convince your prom group to go to an awesome burger joint, or pre-game with some grilled meats at home, or put that money you spent on the stretch Hummer to good use and get drive-through McDonald’s and eat in the car.

Provided by The Stir