With the school ball season here again, I’m wondering how much money should be put aside for it all. We thought $700 would cover us for our 16-year-old daughter, but it’s likely to cost much more than that. We are an average-income family and do all we can for our three girls, but the upcoming event is beginning to cause some strife. Maybe we just need to be brought up to date with the current costs.
You’ve asked for my opinion, so I’m going to give it. I think the school ball season has got way out of hand. What is it supposed to be about anyway? It seems nothing more than a leftover from the formal debutante balls of yesteryear. Maybe it’s a coming-of-age celebration, but isn’t that what 21st birthdays are about? I’ve had three sons pass through the school ball season. The formal part of the night, the ball itself, was never important to them. The main event was when everyone ditched their flash clothes for the after-party.
So, in my view, the night achieves nothing. But, as I think you are pointing out, it costs a lot. How much should a family put aside? I say, nothing. It’s a complete waste of hard-earned money. But it would be too tough to stop your daughter attending if all her friends are going. Just stick with that $700 and don’t go over it. But, better still, convince your daughter and her friends to give the whole thing a miss. Offer her $400 cash to go and buy some cool, casual clothes. Or suggest she spends the money on a trip to Australia.
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