roaringmouse

Sounds like she may want to get some extra shifts in at McDonalds or KMart or wherever... or see if she can get a job at such a place.

brissybee

In fairness there are already two p/t jobs and a traineeship on the go... however, I think I have a solution re formal needs.

I advised I needed a list of requirements and costs... and it seems more things might now be borrowed or no longer required. I think kids just don't realise how much things cost sometimes and seeing it, in black and white, can help.

jad n rich

Son grads in 5 weeks, school has not even sent the invitation out, dont know dress codes or anything

Went to the myer sale today, got a shirt, waistcoat, and hat the rest he will borrow from his brother who did grad 2 years ago. $101 all up.

If there is some other dress code at this late date they can shove it, for not letting us know earlier.

moneypenny20

First Born's formal three years ago ended up at about $500 all in and she paid most of it. Her dress was very classic and simple, can be worn for years at 'posh' dos without ever looking old. Tiddler's last year was about $300 but she's far less high maintenance than her sister First Born went to her After Party, Tiddler didn't. Neither paid for cars as both had mates of mates happy to provide them free of charge. Photos were reasonable but Tiddler didn't want hers anyway.

First Born did Schoolies, she paid for any drinking she did and as it was at Surfers she didn't see the point of getting a room, just went a few nights and used Mum's Taxi. Tiddler didn't even consider one evening of Schoolies.

Anyway, point is, it can be done cheap if you want. Some girls in both years went totally overboard (or their parents did) and they didn't look all that.

scottishcelts

made me laugh.

My 14 yr old isn't the type to go along to these typa things either, but we shall see when the time comes.

lesleys

Has anybody thought about hiring designer dresses? Google GlamCorner for an example. It's something that we used to do at uni (many years ago) but if it's good enough for the Oscars, why not school formals?

moneypenny20

I looked for First Born in 2010, not that site but a online hire place. It ended up being only slightly cheaper than the dress she got so not worth it. For us anyway.

macy

My firm has a black tie dinner every Christmas ( I know in Brisbane!!! so we hire him the same style black suit, sometimes larger, sometimes smaller for around $150.... however to hire dresses isn't something they do and those that I have seen for hire in other places are awful and more expensive than buying something.

ozzieeagle

Set a fairly generous budget BB and let her work it out.... Circa 1K ish... Bit more if your comfortable... I'd make it 1k (and 300 bucks that appears at the emergency contingency stage which she doesnt know about)

Surely there's a photography student from last year that can help out... we never went that far for starters. and LOL @ the fake tan in Brisbane.... from me that last one.

After all it's supposed to be graduating to the adult world, so no trantrums accepted.

Kim67

My 14 year old is the same. She went to her year 6 graduation (in Dubai so over the top - stretch hummers, party and dinner room at a restaurant etc) in a black romantic tutu, black ballet hoody, lime green converse and accessories - I would say the Year 12 formal will be no different - except maybe her Corpse Bride Pants and Doc Martins may make an appearance. She did shock me today though by "wanting" to wear formal uniform, perfect hair, tights without holes and flowers in her hair to her school dance excursion to Queensland Ballet - trying to impress Mao's Last Dancer I reckon.

Spending thousands on a school formal is just too over the top for me. That money could be put towards something worthwhile like a trip overseas - the same with money wasted on schoolies.

Amazulu

Only if you are prepared to pay those kind of costs

moneypenny20

My wedding ended up at about 500 quid. That included a weekend in Jersey. Mind you, it helped not having any guests.

scottishcelts

I like your daughter -she sounds cool

scottishcelts

Ditto for us. (I was 6 weeks preggars so wasn't exactly in the mood for planning etc.)

Turned out a family party at our house and was lovely. Although it was the joke shotgun wedding in the fam

lesleys

Sounds expensive to me. Croydon registry office with 2 witnesses and no other guests, the a 2 week honeymoon in Yugoslavia for £38 each including flights and full board.