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PROM Alternatives: Your Budget Breakdown if you Don't Have the Cash.

By: Sofia Blum

Before you even spend a dime on prom, figure out what you can expect to pay for prom essentials. This will help you plan out how much you need to save or in many cases, beg your parents for! Yes, we are all aware of how important prom is. But let's get real, not every one has the cash to dish out and shop for couture, and the finer things in life. Actually, a majority of teens that are in high school come from middle class family homes, where renting a Jacuzzi limo, and hiring a photographer for the entire night is definitely out of the question. So here are some great tips and alternative options, for you smart consumers out there, that are trying to save a buck, while still going to prom in style.

YOUR DRESS OR TUX: $100 to $300 (and up)
Let's face it, a prom is a formal event, and formal dresses and renting a tux are expensive! Unless you head to discount stores, or vintage clothing shops, it's hard to find a high-quality dress for less than $100. But don't worry, there is no written rule that says guys can not come dressed in a suit to prom. Suits are much cheaper than renting a tuxedo, and they are an essential in every mans life. Buying a suit in a solid color like navy blue, or black, not only saves money, but men an wear them over and over again for all types of occasions, such as a wedding, job interview, work, or a date. For woman, there are tons of options that are cheaper than buying a couture gown that you will probably only wear once in your life. If you want a smarter cheaper option, go to a fabric store. If you know someone who sews, fabric is a cheaper alternative than purchasing an already store made gown. Another option, is to shop in your friends or family's closet, not only is this free, but I guarantee you that you will find something authentic and different that people will surely be asking you where you bought it from. Lastly, buying a simple dress for under $50 and jazzing it up with sequins, rhinestones, and other accessories is a great alternative. Why spend all that money when you can make a clone of the original dress you were aiming to buy.

YOUR ACCESSORIES: $50 to $200 (and up)
If you are one of the lucky ones that has everything with the snap of your fingers more to you, but many people don't have everything and if you don't already own (or can borrow) fancy shoes, jewelry, hair clips, barrettes, and a nice bag that complements them all, try to incorporate what you already own and tie them in with the new pieces. For example, spice up the plain hair clips that you already own. Buy some glitter or sequins and attach them to your hair accessories. You can even buy a nice pair of white fabric shoes, and dye them to match the dress. If you want to go one step further buy loose rhinestones and glue them on to the heel or the side of your shoe, and I promise you, your outfit will be the talk of the prom, everyone will ask you where you got your new pair of shoes, and you just answer, "there custom made, lol."

YOUR TICKETS: $50 to $150
The cost of the prom itself varies wildly from one region of the country to the next. The cost also depends on where your prom is taking place. If your prom is residing at a country club, the price of your prom tickets will be quite higher in price than having your prom in a chain hotel. On the other hand, if your prom includes just dancing and no dinner, tickets will be less expensive. But then, of course, you'll have to spring for your own dinner, which can make up the difference. Usually your date pays for the ticket, if this is the scenario you are in, then you have nothing to worry about, but if you are going stag, and you can't afford prom tickets, talk to your schools prom committee, and ask them if you can pay in installations. If you cannot afford prom tickets, ask the school administration whether there is anything you can do to get the tickets for free or cheaper than they are. Here are some ways you can work towards getting your prom tickets, ask your parents if you can do double the choirs, sell cookies, mow a lawn, shovel snow, sell candy, wash a car, and last but not least, hold an auction or a garage sale. All these great ideas will bring you one step closer to saving some money, and paying for your prom ticket.

YOUR WHEELS: $0 to $400 (and up)
Going in a limo with your friends and their dates can be a fabulous (and fun) way to get to prom and back, but with four-hour minimums plus tipping it's also a major expense. Luckily there are lots of options if you don't want to take the limo. Renting a party bus or borrowing a really nice car from someone's parents is an alternative. Think about it, renting a limo for a few hours just so it can get you from your house to the prom when you have no money is not that clever. Instead take that money and put it to good use and go somewhere after the prom like a restaurant or a dinner cruise. You can achieve the same purpose of getting to your final destination by just taking a taxi, asking car service to pick you up in a Lincoln town car, or driving your dads car. Either way, you are still getting to the prom. Think about it, while the group in the stretch Hummer is stuck in traffic, you are well on your way to the prom having a Virgin cocktail.

HIS BOUTONNIERE: $7 to $30
It is only fair that if your date is going to give you a gorgeous, fragrant corsage that you return the nice gesture by getting your date a little lapel flower! Roses are the most popular choice for boutonnieres but there are many other fashionable options. If you are looking for a cheaper alternative, carnations are less expensive and look just as good as roses do. Lilies are also another favorite among the conservative consumer. If you're not feeling picky, go simple and save.

YOUR HAIR: $30 to $75 (and up)
Depending on what kind of style you are interested in, the cost of a hairdo varies. Here are some tips for an affordable hairdo for your prom. Sure updo's are fancy and everyone gets them for prom, but why be like everyone else? Try a simple blowout, not only is this a less complex option, (and less pricey) than a dramatic updo, you can do it yourself at home, if you don't want to spend any money at all. After you have blown out your hair, you can add some hair glitter than all party supply stores carry for less than $2. If you insist on going to a salon for your prom hairdo, make sure you go for a trail run that is complimentary. You don't want to end up paying for something you don't even like. Ask your mom, sister, neighbor, or friend to bring in those curlers, straightening irons, blow dryers, and styling gel, because anything that is done by yourself is cheaper and more affordable than spending money on a do that will last you one night.

YOUR MAKEUP: $30 to $75
Getting a salon makeover the day of the prom is a great way to get pumped for your big prom night. There's nothing more exciting than sitting in a makeup chair under the bright lights while a makeup artist glams you up for your special day. But the price you end up paying for beauty can be way too high at times. The same look can be achieved using cosmetics that were bought in a beauty supply store. If you don't know how to put on makeup, go to a friend, or neighbor that does, and let them prep you up for your big day. Just think, if something goes wrong and you don't like how you look, you can go rinse it off and start again without paying big bucks for it. Sometimes simple is the best effective way!

YOUR NAILS: $10 to $50 and up
While you're out and about, why not head to the salon for a manicure and pedicure? Most offer a discount if you get hands and feet done at the same time. Also check for student discounts. Most salons now offer discounts to clients that show there student ID card. If this still is to step of a price for you, many nail polishes cost under $2, so doing your nails yourself will save you a couple of bucks. Make it more fun by teaming up with a friend. You can paint each other's nails for a neater job than you could manage solo.

YOUR PHOTOS: $25 to $75
The price to hire a photographer will cost you an arm and a leg. Instead of dishing out so much money for a professional, a disposable camera, digital camera, or a manual camera will do just fine. Not only can you take these cheap versions of film with you, but you are guaranteed to save hundreds of dollars by taking your own pics.

Hopefully this guide to budget your prom with little or no cash has helped you see that prom can still be the most important day of your adolescent life, it just doesn't have to be the most expensive. Use these alternatives to save that extra buck, and when everyone will be scramming for a $1 to get that late burger at MCD's, you can actually order something that doesn't belong to the dollar menu.

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