<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t worry though; there are plenty of ways that you can have a great prom, without having to spend a fortune on it.<\/p>\n
So, let\u2019s take a look at some super simple tips & hacks that can keep your prom budget down!<\/p>\n
In this section, we\u2019re going to discuss tips for saving money on the prom in general.<\/p>\n
As I explained in our graduation party on a budget<\/a> post, making a budget, when you are still a student, especially if you have little to no reliable source of income can be crucial now and later on with managing your student debt.<\/p>\n Prom is majorly hyped up, so it\u2019s easy to get carried away with the excitement of it all, and impact your bank balance in the process.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why it\u2019s important to make a budget<\/a>. Sit down with your family and outline how much you can afford to spend on prom.<\/p>\n Then see how much money you have to allocate to each category.<\/p>\n Keep your budget in mind when buying prom stuff, and don\u2019t get carried away.<\/p>\n Whether it\u2019s transportation, flowers, or your dress or tuxedo, always compare the price of the items and services that you plan to purchase for prom.<\/p>\n You\u2019d be surprised by how much prices vary from store to store, even in the same town!<\/p>\n Join National Consumer Panel. They give you a free scanner or app and all you do is scan barcodes on items you buy. Get paid in cash & gift cards.<\/p>\n Join NCP Today<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n And, prices vary just as much online.<\/p>\n So take the time to compare prices<\/a>.<\/p>\n Doing this could save you a lot of cash.<\/p>\n As with planning and setting a budget, saving up for prom as soon as you can is also important.<\/p>\n Put your allowance, a portion of your income from your part-time job<\/a>, or any money that you receive as a gift towards your prom fund. Then, you\u2019ll have more freedom when it comes to prom season.<\/p>\n Need ideas on how to make some extra cash for prom party spending? Check out this list of quick money making ideas<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re stretched thinly on the old money front, then consider picking up a side gig<\/a>.<\/p>\n Whether it\u2019s babysitting, pet sitting, tutoring or taking surveys online, there are plenty of things you can do to make a little cash.<\/p>\n Check out our post on 27 ways for students to make money quickly here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Leaving everything until the last minute can result in overspending. After all, if you wait until the last minute, you won\u2019t have time to compare prices, and if the prom deadline is approaching, you might make an impulse buy just so you have everything ready in time.<\/p>\n Give yourself time to properly plan everything, and getting great deals will be much easier.<\/p>\n Whether it\u2019s a can of hairspray or a pair of shoes, whatever it is you\u2019re buying for prom, check to see if there\u2019s a coupon for it.<\/p>\n Coupons can save you so much cash!<\/p>\n Here are a few coupon websites that you should check out:<\/p>\n On these websites, you can find printable coupons<\/a> that you can use to purchase stuff in-store and digital coupons that you can use to buy stuff online.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re shopping for prom stuff online, then do it through a cashback website.<\/p>\n These websites<\/a> give you a percentage of the money that you spend back \u2013 meaning you save money!<\/p>\n Here are a few cashback websites to check out:<\/p>\n TJ Maxx, Marshall\u2019s, and Ross, are all great places to find prom dresses, bags, shoes, jewelry, and pretty much everything else you\u2019d need for prom.<\/p>\n You can even find low cost makeup, hair care, and skincare products at these off-price stores, so we\u2019d highly recommend a visit!<\/p>\n In this section, we\u2019re going to cover tips for saving money on your prom outfit.<\/p>\n We\u2019ll let you know how to save money on your prom dress, and how guys can save money on their prom outfits as well (prom budget for guys may be a little different than prom budget for girls, but no body wants to spend more than they have to.).<\/p>\n Ask a friend if they have a dress from a previous event that they wouldn\u2019t mind lending to you.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a totally new outfit for you \u2013 and it\u2019s free.<\/p>\n Have a suit that you wore to a family member\u2019s wedding?<\/p>\n Or a dress that you wore to a baptism?<\/p>\n Perhaps you have a bridesmaid\u2019s dress that you thought you\u2019d never wear again?<\/p>\n It\u2019s likely that you already have a formal outfit in your closet \u2013 so why not repurpose it. You can easily make it into a new outfit by adding some new accessories.<\/p>\n For cheap prom dresses and suits, all the\u00a0thrift stores near you<\/a>\u00a0can be a treasure trove.<\/p>\n The thing about thrift stores is that you never know what you\u2019ll find there.<\/p>\n Some days there\u2019s nothing that stands out and on others, you can find some real gems.<\/p>\n Make visiting local thrift stores a common occurrence in the lead up to prom season. You might come across a beautiful, vintage dress for a bargain price or a pair of shoes in your size to match the suit you already have.<\/p>\n So do take a look at your local thrift store for some cheap prom outfits and accessories.<\/p>\n And if you are not in a pinch, check out these online thrift stores<\/a>. You may just find your dream prom dress for cheap.<\/p>\n Another place to find a prom dress, suit or tux is at consignment stores.<\/p>\n The quality of items at consignment stores tends to be a little higher than what you\u2019d find at the thrift store, as is the price, but you still get a great bargain compared to traditional retailers.<\/p>\n That\u2019s the thing \u2013 if you go to store that specifically sells prom dresses, then you are likely to pay a premium.<\/p>\n If you go to a store that\u2019s not solely selling prom attire, like a thrift store or a consignment store, then you\u2019ll still find the same formal wear, just at a much lower price.<\/p>\n Plus, you\u2019re more likely to find something that\u2019s unique.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a list of\u00a0consignment stores near you<\/a>.<\/p>\n These days, there are so many websites and apps where you can buy and sell stuff<\/a> including used clothing.<\/p>\n And, this clothing is often only gently used.<\/p>\n From bags, to purses to tuxes and everything in between, websites and apps really are a great place to checkout for cheap prom-wear.<\/p>\n Of course, there are websites like eBay<\/a> and Craigslist<\/a> where you can find some bargains.<\/p>\n But, do be careful. There are a lot of scams out there.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t pay by wire transfer, research the seller, and make sure that you view photos of the piece or see it in person before parting with any money.<\/p>\n And, if you do meet with a seller in person make sure that it\u2019s in a public place, that you take someone with you, and that you tell another person about the meeting \u2013 give this person the contact number you\u2019ve been using to get in touch with the seller as well.<\/p>\n Craigslist and eBay aren\u2019t your only option when it comes to great deals on prom attire.<\/p>\n You can also try Poshmark<\/a> and ThredUp<\/a> \u2013 both of which are easy to use apps where people can buy and sell used clothing and accessories.<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t think that you\u2019ll wear the dress again, then renting it could work out cheaper.<\/p>\n Of course, you\u2019ll need to do a price comparison to see which one works out cheaper.<\/p>\n Check with local bridal shops and other formal wear retailers to see if they offer rentals.<\/p>\n If you want to go with the traditional tux for prom, then compare the cost of renting it, to the cost of purchasing it outright.<\/p>\n Renting a tux can sometimes work out to be more expensive than just buying it.<\/p>\n Again, price comparison is important!<\/p>\n If it works out cheaper to buy the tux, rather than renting it, then go with that option \u2013 you\u2019ll have a tux you can wear again in the future as well.<\/p>\n Check out the places that we mentioned above like Craigslist, eBay, Poshmark, thrift stores and consignment stores to purchase your tux.<\/p>\n You can save so much money on prom attire by shopping for it in the off-season. So shop in advance for next years prom \u2013 you could even start shopping right after this year\u2019s prom, as many dresses go on clearance!<\/p>\n No one will know if your suit is Ralph Lauren or who designed your prom dress.<\/p>\n All that matters with your prom outfit is how you look and feel while wearing it.<\/p>\n If the outfit looks great and you feel comfortable wearing it, then who cares if it\u2019s not from a brand name designer.<\/p>\n Outfits from generic brands are much cheaper and no one will know the difference anyway!<\/p>\n Ever seen Pretty in Pink?<\/p>\n If you have sewing skills, or know someone who does, then make your own dress.<\/p>\n It could work out cheaper!<\/p>\n If you need a pair of heels or shoes for prom, then try to buy a pair that you can wear again.<\/p>\n When you choose a pair of shoes that you can wear again, you get more out of that initial investment.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not just your prom dress that you should consider borrowing. You could ask your mom, grandmother, or other relative if you could borrow a vintage handbag<\/a> or jewelry.<\/p>\n Some organizations, like Becca\u2019s Closet, provide free prom dresses to teens who can\u2019t afford a prom dress.\u00a0 You can visit this page<\/a> of the Becca\u2019s Closet website to find a chapter near you.<\/p>\n A few other organizations that offer free prom dresses include:<\/p>\n Also, you can check to see if there\u2019s a non-profit organization in your area that could help you to get a free or low cost prom dress. Just type in \u201cfree prom dress\u201d or \u201cdonated prom dress,\u201d followed by your city name or state into a search engine.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not just prom dresses that you can get for free. You may also be able to get a donated tux.<\/p>\n Just visit Operation Prom and fill out this form<\/a>.<\/p>\n Sometimes it can work out cheaper to make your own jewelry. Check out these DIY prom accessories<\/a> from Martha Stewart to get started.<\/p>\n Also, you could visit your local bead store and make your own jewelry there.<\/p>\n From the hairdo to the nails, there\u2019s a lot to think about when it comes to prom.<\/p>\n In this section, we\u2019re going to give you tips on how to save money on prom hair and makeup, as well as skincare and nails.<\/p>\n You probably have a friend who\u2019s makeup is always impeccable or a family member who\u2019s hair always looks great. Well enlist their help for prom!<\/p>\n Ask them if they would do your hair and\/or makeup.<\/p>\n You can get your hair and nails done at bargain prices at your local beauty school.<\/p>\n To find a list of accredited\u00a0beauty schools near you check out this beauty school directory<\/a>.<\/p>\n YouTube is full of hair, nail and makeup tutorials. You can pretty much find a tutorial on any look you want \u2013 whether it\u2019s how to do winged eyeliner or how to contour.<\/p>\n Also, you can find tons of nail tutorials on there, as well as tips on things like how to get glowing skin and self-tanning tips.<\/p>\n Then, you can use what you learn from these videos to do your own hair, makeup and nails!<\/p>\n Use self-tanning lotion instead. You can pick it up for a low price at many grocery stores and drugstores, and online as well.<\/p>\n There are lots of tutorials on YouTube on how to self-tan as well.<\/p>\n You can purchase a pack of nail stickers at a much lower price than it costs to get a manicure. Plus they look great, but require little effort!<\/p>\n Wondering about what vehicle to take to prom?<\/p>\n Getting to the prom can be a costly affair.<\/p>\n But it doesn\u2019t have to be.<\/p>\n There are a lot of unique and cheap prom transport ideas that will save you money on transportation to the prom.<\/p>\n Getting a limo to prom can be pretty costly. So consider renting a nice car instead. It is a lot cheaper! Just check for rental companies that allow 18 year old drivers to rent cars.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re going to prom with a large group, then consider renting a van.<\/p>\n This is a fun option. But, make sure you have an experienced driver!<\/p>\n Another option that\u2019s entirely free, save for the cost of gas, is taking your own car to prom.<\/p>\n While unorthodox and not the most exciting option, taking your own car to prom is an easy way to save money.<\/p>\n A lot of people have their heart set on a limo for prom \u2013 but they\u2019re certainly not cheap.<\/p>\n One of the best ways to save money, if you really do want to arrive at prom in a limo, is to share one with other couples.<\/p>\n When you split the limo price, then the cost per person is greatly reduced.<\/p>\n Prices tend to creep up around prom season, so you can often get a better deal by booking a limo early.<\/p>\n Another big part of the prom is the flowers.<\/p>\n And, there are plenty of things that you can do to save money on them.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t go with the most expensive option \u2013 carnations are a good choice, because they are low cost and you can also easily dye them in various colors.<\/p>\n This is such an easy tip to follow. Rather than purchasing your flowers from a florist, get them from the grocery store instead. They work out so much cheaper!<\/p>\n Of course, there aren\u2019t as wide a range of flowers available, but the amount you save makes it worthwhile.<\/p>\n Wildflowers can make for beautiful floral arrangements, and they\u2019re totally free!<\/p>\n Going the DIY route where possible is definitely the way to go if you want to save money on prom.<\/p>\n And, there are so many great tutorials available online like this one<\/a> on how to make your own corsage \u2013 a quick Google search will generate lots of results.<\/p>\n It can be tempting to get a huge bouquet, but it\u2019s also expensive!<\/p>\n Opt for a nice posy instead. A small bunch of flowers won\u2019t detract from your outfit, and won\u2019t be a hassle to lug around with you all evening!<\/p>\n Prom\u2019s an exciting night, so you want to remember it, meaning photos are important.<\/p>\n But, it\u2019s also another cost that can eat into your budget if you let it.<\/p>\n So, let\u2019s take a look at a few ways that you can save money on prom photos.<\/p>\n If you have a friend or a family member who takes good photos, then ask them to take your prom photos.<\/p>\n It\u2019s likely that your photos will look more natural when taken by someone you know \u2013 a lot of these professional prom photos can look awkward anyway!<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t know someone who\u2019s talented behind the camera, then try asking a photography student from the local university\/college.<\/p>\n If you do hire a professional photographer, and the photographer uses traditional film, then ask if you can just buy the negatives. Then you can have them printed yourself \u2013 this sometimes works out cheaper!<\/p>\n If you hire a professional photographer who uses digital film, then ask to buy the files and print the photos yourself at home. Again, this can sometimes be cheaper.<\/p>\n We all carry a camera around in our pocket or purse nowadays, so do away with a photographer and just have your friends snap photos for you, or take them yourself!<\/p>\n There are plenty of print on demand companies out there who will print photos from your phone for you at a low cost.<\/p>\n Many proms feature a professional photo station where groups of friends and couples can have their photo taken and purchase photo packages. But, with these photos, you can\u2019t usually see the photo that\u2019s taken until you purchase it \u2013 and you might think that the photo is terrible!<\/p>\n So just take your own photos, as we suggested above.<\/p>\n This is a fun way to snap some quick photos of you and your friends at the prom. Disposable cameras are cheap. And, you don\u2019t have to worry about losing an expensive camera or having it stolen!<\/p>\n Dining can cost a lot \u2013 with many people opting to go to fancy restaurants on prom night.<\/p>\n But, like with any other part of prom, there are lots of ways to keep the cost of food and drink down<\/a> on prom night.<\/p>\n This is so much cheaper than eating out at a restaurant<\/a>. Your parents may even be willing to make dinner for you and your friends (if you ask them nicely enough!).<\/p>\n It\u2019s cheaper, and the atmosphere will be much more relaxed than if you went to a stuffy restaurant.<\/p>\n Have your friends each bring a dish around to your home, and have a fun, casual, and relaxed dinner. Everyone contributes, making it a cheap alternative to a traditional dinner party or a meal at a restaurant.<\/p>\n This is such a fun idea. You may be in formal wear, but who says that you can\u2019t visit a fast food place like Taco Bell or McDonald\u2019s?<\/p>\n It\u2019s casual, laid back and you can always say that on prom night you ate at Burger King in a tux or evening gown!<\/p>\n Plus, you can use these fast food hacks<\/a> to save even more money!<\/p>\n Whether it\u2019s at the beach or at your local park, consider having a picnic outdoors with your friends. You can make it a potluck picnic!<\/p>\n If you do want to go to a traditional restaurant, then make sure you get a great deal on the meal.<\/p>\n Check out Groupon<\/a> and Living Social<\/a> \u2013 you can often get huge discounts on meals at restaurants near you.<\/p>\n So before you choose a restaurant, check to see if you can get a deal that will save you money.<\/p>\n Prom doesn\u2019t need to be expensive in order to be fun.<\/p>\n Enjoying yourself is what prom night should be about.<\/p>\n It\u2019s easy to get caught up in what you\u2019re wearing or the transportation, but prom really should be about having a good time.<\/p>\n So follow our tips and have an enjoyable prom without spending too much!<\/p>\n And let us know in the comments section below if you have any ways to save money on prom.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n<\/p>\n3. Start saving as soon as you can<\/h4>\n
4. Get an online side gig<\/h4>\n
5. Plan everything in advance<\/h4>\n
6. Use coupons!<\/h4>\n
7. Shop through cashback websites<\/h4>\n
8. Shop at off-price stores<\/h4>\n
Save Money on a Prom Dress<\/h2>\n
9. Borrow a dress from a friend<\/h4>\n
10. Repurpose an old outfit<\/h4>\n
11. Check out your local thrift store<\/h4>\n
12. Check out consignment stores<\/h4>\n
13. Buy used prom attire online (or through apps)<\/h4>\n
14. Rent your dress<\/h4>\n
15. Compare the cost of renting your tux to buying it<\/h4>\n
16. Shop in the off-season<\/h4>\n
17. Don\u2019t get caught up with brand names<\/h4>\n
18. Make your own dress<\/h4>\n
19. Buy accessories that you can use again<\/h4>\n
20. Borrow accessories from friends and family<\/h4>\n
21. Check to see if you can get a donated dress<\/h4>\n
22. Get a donated tux from Operation Prom<\/h4>\n
23. Make your own jewelry<\/h4>\n
Save Money on Hair and Makeup (& Skincare & Nails!) for Prom Night<\/h2>\n
24. Ask friends or family for help<\/h4>\n
25. Visit your local beauty school for low cost hair styling and manicures<\/h4>\n
26. Watch tutorials on YouTube<\/h4>\n
27. Skip expensive tanning sessions<\/h4>\n
28. Use nail stickers, rather than getting a manicure<\/h4>\n
Save Money on Prom Night Transportation<\/h2>\n
29. Rent a nice car, rather than a limo<\/h4>\n
30. Rent a van instead<\/h4>\n
31. Take your own car to prom<\/h4>\n
32. Split the cost of a limo<\/h4>\n
33. Book the limo early<\/h4>\n
Save Money on Flowers for Your Prom Date<\/h2>\n
34. Choose cheaper flowers<\/h4>\n
35. Get them from the grocery store instead!<\/h4>\n
36. Pick wildflowers instead<\/h4>\n
37. Make your own corsage<\/h4>\n
38. Opt for a posy over a giant bouquet<\/h4>\n
Save Money on Prom Photos<\/h2>\n
39. Ask a friend or family member to take your prom photos<\/h4>\n
40. Ask a photography student<\/h4>\n
41. Ask to print the film yourself<\/h4>\n
42. Print digital photos at home<\/h4>\n
43. Just use your phone!<\/h4>\n
44. Avoid the photo station at the prom<\/h4>\n
45. Take a disposable camera with you<\/h4>\n
Save Money on Food & Drinks<\/h2>\n
46. Have a dinner party at home instead<\/h4>\n
47. Or host a potluck dinner<\/h4>\n
48. Eat at a local fast food place<\/h4>\n
49. Dine outdoors<\/h4>\n
50. Get a deal on a local restaurant<\/h4>\n
Closing Thoughts<\/h2>\n