Volume 35 Issue 4
Friday, April 7, 2014
3000 S.R. 580 Clearwater, FL 33761
Budgeting for the big night alexMILLER
page editor
Over the years, prom has become a night appropriate for splurging and indulging in the royal treatment. The most glamorous dresses are presented on the highest pedestals, flaunting their “$300 - On sale!” price tags. Meanwhile, the finest tuxedos are advertised in every size, cut, and color next to their tags claiming “$500 - Half off !” According to a national survey taken by Visa in 2013, the average household spent approximately $1140 on prom.
Although several students look forward to smashing their piggy banks and scavenging through their cars for every last penny to spend on their enchanted evening, several families are taken aback by these seemingly outrageous statistics. As a result, several teens are deprived of what many have claimed to be the best night of their lives. Of course it is easy to get caught up in the excitement of prom. However, it is not that difficult to actually create a cheaper plan of attack to keep from completely breaking the bank. For all assets, set a budget. Mapping out what is
personally affordable to spend before venturing into the boutiques and florists will aid in keeping expenses on track and prevent overspending. Namely, within this budget, dresses and tuxedos are typically the initial concern. Finding the perfect style is one issue. Once purchased, though, they also must be uniquely trimmed and hemmed to ideally fit someone’s unique figure. These increasing costs only add to one’s increasing stress, but there are alternative options.
(continued on pg. 7)