My prom was in 2002 (I'm getting up there lol) and I (my parents) probably spent like 900 dollars after it was all said in done, the dress was almost 400 and the limo was probably 150 dollars (I shared the limo with a handful of friends). Definitely wont spend that much on my kids (I am more of a bargain shopper than moms), maybe because I thought prom was overhyped. The venue was lovely, sparkly chandeliers, fountains and all-a-dat, but I have never worn that dress again, and on the actual night, someone stepped on part of it while I was sitting down. I was tight.

I can only see spending between 500-700 dollars on prom for a child who is exceptional with grades. Any more than that they can use whatever allowance they get.

I don't believe high schoolers should have a job outside of school and volunteering (or unless they made one for themselves via some means of entrepreneurship)

What the hell for? I earned a full scholarship to college and STILL had a part-time job, working seven days a week. It's called "getting ready for the real world."

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Boys still got it made. My parents rented my tux
I do think its pretty sad that Proms now cost as much as funerals.
If my parents wanted to go all out for my prom, I rather them save the money and pay for my Spring Break Vacation.

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I blame Super Sweet 16 for.... everybody wants to be a baller.... everybody wants to spend money that they clearly don't have.... just to show up everybody....

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My sister went to her prom over the weekend (she is a junior). I told my family about this article and then we calculated the cost...and it was over $2000. Her dress alone was $470 with $85 for alterations. We also had a pre-prom party for family and friends, she had hair and make up come to her house, and a professional photographer. My mom also paid for 10 of her friends to go to Midnight bowling, so at least they weren't out drinking and sexing it up...

I don't see the big deal...my family did what we could afford....some people can afford less, some can afford more. At the end of the day she had a great prom


Oh and at the restaurant someone gave this to her and her date...so their meal was paid for by a complete stranger.

I agree with the Super Sweet 16 comment. Watched almost every episode, aghast at the lengths, depths, and dollars these parents went for 16 year old.

Don't have kids, never wanted them. I watch my siblings with kids struggle to keep up the Jones. In their area, the Jones have bank. They don't. Great, loving, attentive parents. The amount of stress they go through to make their kids feel included and equal tires me out on their behalf. Wouldn't want to deal with it.

That's creepy.... sorry.... lol...

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I believe the estimates. I'm getting married in a couple of weeks and on one of my trips to try on bridal gowns, the shop was full of girls trying on dresses for prom. In a bridal boutique?! When I was in high school, prom dress shopping was done at the mall.

That was very sweet of the stranger...I love random acts of kindness.

I am known for being frugal but when it came to prom for our only daughter and son...we wanted it special for them, niether of them were spoiled brats but it was an important day for them....and we wanted to make it so. When it came to Dd's wedding day, at first I was sure I was going to have a stroke when I started adding it up but again I did not feel as if she was being unreasonable and in the end, when I look back on the day and her in dress (Lol, Jim Helm Ride!) walking down on her Father's arm...it was worth every penny and we treated it just as the gift to them it was.

My sisters dress came from a bridal boutique... my older sister's dress came from the same bridal boutique. My dress came from the mall...but I looked at bridal boutiques first

My daughter (if I ever have one) can wear my prom dress and call it "vintage". It was beautiful.