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Saving on Prom Night

This month, young men and women are dressing in their best for their high school proms. But you don`t need to spend hundreds of dollars to enjoy one extravagant night.

So, your date said, "Yes" and you`re all set for Saturday night at the prom. Now you just have to find something to wear.

"I was really pulling for the white, but my date really liked the black. So I had to go with what the woman chooses," said Mandan High student Adam Stein.

Before you step one foot into a bridal or rental shop, do some checking around.

"I searched online because I got a camo dress, so it was really hard to find a good one," said Mandan High student Ashley Mormann.

"I recommend it because once you spend over so much money, you get free shipping," said Mandan High student Jordyn Bjornson.

If you order online, make sure and allow for about a week for shipping. Once your dress is picked out and fits right, you still have to worry about your hair and nails. Normally, that`s around $100, but students at the Hair Academy in Bismarck will style your hair for less than $20.

"And it`s something enjoyable. They come in parties, usually they`re six to eight people at a time, and the students have a lot of fun with it," said owner Carol Bosch.

The school is only open on Saturday`s by appointment. Most hairstyles can be done in less than two hours.

"We like what we call day-old hair. So we like them to have had their hair shampooed, product in it and dried almost a day old. It seems to style nicer and put up nicer if they had day-old hair," Bosch said.

Let`s talk tuxes. Why would you pay to rent something you`re ultimately going to wear for about six hours? When by shopping around, you can likely find a comparable suit for around the same price.

"But indeed, the average person, if it`s fit correctly, would never know the difference when you look at the man that`s dressed in it," said J.C. Penny suit specialist Dick Phelps.

If you really want to save money on dinner, invite a few friends and eat at home. It`s more relaxing and you won`t have to leave a tip.

"We just came over and the parents made steaks. We just had fun at home," Mormann said.

After clothing, pictures and flowers, you`re still likely to shell out close to $200. But as any parent or teacher will tell you, it`s your night. Enjoy it! And hopefully, you and your parents have a little change left in your pockets by the end of the night.

Seeds of Hope in Bismarck also has prom dresses for sale, ranging from $10 to around $30.