Stories

Thu, 16 Apr 2026

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 The price of school prom is extortionate, says teen

A parent and ex-pupil says proms put pressure on children and adults alike.

* An 18-year-old in Suffolk, England decided not to attend her school prom due to what she considered "extortionate" prices.
* Research by a debt advice charity showed that one in four parents would spend between £250 and £500 on prom.
* The girl's sister had attended prom last summer and the family spent £600 to make sure she could attend in style.
* The girl believed that proms were not about the experience, but rather about showing off and who could afford the most expensive items.
* She also felt that proms drove people apart and put pressure on families with different financial situations.
* A parent from Lowestoft, Suffolk saved between £300 and £400 in case her 16-year-old daughter decided to attend prom, which she didn't think was a good thing.
* The parent described prom as an "added expense" and felt that the schools were pressuring parents to spend money on them.
* A money mindset mentor suggested ways for parents to save money on prom, including using existing clothes and accessories, borrowing from relatives, and looking for bargains online.