tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765204152075197877.post1424369364522683089..comments2023-03-22T04:02:34.512-04:00Comments on MoneyTrail.net: The Hidden Cost of GraduationPam at MoneyTrailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04120369681070540769noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765204152075197877.post-45356923037767628322012-05-10T20:29:36.048-04:002012-05-10T20:29:36.048-04:00I never thought it would so expensive. Thankfully ...I never thought it would so expensive. Thankfully we still have about 9 more years to go. :-)Jen @ Master the Art of Savinghttp://www.mastertheartofsaving.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765204152075197877.post-47730753032058282962012-05-03T16:22:34.030-04:002012-05-03T16:22:34.030-04:00It's interesting that things that seem "f...It's interesting that things that seem "free" really aren't. I'm sure it's worth it though. Hope you have some great parties.John @ Married (with Debt)http://marriedwithdebt.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765204152075197877.post-82662485114400143262012-05-03T09:01:24.288-04:002012-05-03T09:01:24.288-04:00The invitations were through an online photo site....The invitations were through an online photo site. I messed up by procrastinating and then rushing to order them on time. I need to plan ahead and look for coupon deals or use an online invitation resource the next time.<br /><br />And, you're right. A lot of the expenses were personal choices. I think that going forward, I will know what to expect ahead of time and will be able to better choices. Because this is new for me (and a little emotional!), I reacted to the situations as they occurred instead of taking charge of my own plan. A good financial lesson...even for a 43 year old Mom!Pam at MoneyTrailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04120369681070540769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765204152075197877.post-26077269366701423192012-05-03T08:55:43.834-04:002012-05-03T08:55:43.834-04:00I definitely think your suggestions about the anno...I definitely think your suggestions about the announcements and invitations could save a significant amount of money. Now that I know what to expect, I can be more proactive in finding my own deals the next time around. <br /><br />With three boys, I hope that I can use the same cap and gown for all three!Pam at MoneyTrailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04120369681070540769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765204152075197877.post-22864020903139711542012-05-02T22:17:45.283-04:002012-05-02T22:17:45.283-04:00You didn't mention where you ordered the invit...You didn't mention where you ordered the invitations from. Local? Online? If you order fewer, the cost per unit might be higher.<br /><br />At the end of the day, personal preference seems to have weighed in on your total out of pocket.Thad P @ thadthoughts.comhttp://www.thadthoughts.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765204152075197877.post-83347666466029262462012-05-02T17:54:14.364-04:002012-05-02T17:54:14.364-04:00Yeowch. That's a big chunk of change. I'm ...Yeowch. That's a big chunk of change. I'm glad you found a less expensive photo option! Sometimes you can also find a local photography student or family friend to shoot casual photos of the graduate as well as the formal studio shots. I've seen pics that incorporate a sport, musical instrument, or family pet -- very personalized!<br /><br />Since you've got a few more tries, I'd suggest using VistaPrint (with awesome discounts and maybe a Groupon voucher) for announcements. Sending invitations online (whether through email, Facebook, or a web service like Evite) eliminates postage costs and ecowaste. If there are older family members who don't spend a lot of time online, that's a great excuse for the graduate to make a phone call to invite them.<br /><br />Depending on the style of gown and whether the school uses the same type every year, you may be able to purchase or borrow someone's used gown to walk in the ceremony. They don't need much in the way of sizing, after all. Heck, I still have a white one (HS) and black one (undergrad) and matching mortarboards in my costume bin 10+ years down the line! Maybe I'll put them up on Craigslist.Remyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04871305228048921019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765204152075197877.post-82961680680388740522012-05-02T14:08:19.368-04:002012-05-02T14:08:19.368-04:00Great suggestions, especially the yard sign.Great suggestions, especially the yard sign.Pam at MoneyTrailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04120369681070540769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765204152075197877.post-31380063953045787702012-05-02T14:07:09.371-04:002012-05-02T14:07:09.371-04:00Definitely not as big as getting married or having...Definitely not as big as getting married or having a child! It probably will be easier with the boys because I will know what to expect and can be more prepared.Pam at MoneyTrailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04120369681070540769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765204152075197877.post-11438700439770333092012-05-02T13:42:19.034-04:002012-05-02T13:42:19.034-04:00Pam,
It sure adds up! One tip I'd suggest is a...Pam,<br />It sure adds up! One tip I'd suggest is asking your photography friends to help with the portraits. You'll still have to pay for prints, but a friend shouldn't charge as much as a studio.<br /><br />You're right, the boys' outfits don't need to be new. Also, consider getting a yard sign you'll be able to use for the next decade.<br /><br />-Christian L.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765204152075197877.post-62525604868525848202012-05-02T13:18:51.546-04:002012-05-02T13:18:51.546-04:00Wow - its eye opening to see the costs for a kid t...Wow - its eye opening to see the costs for a kid to graduate from public school!LAURENhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02082961573045111115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765204152075197877.post-47540836392902353782012-05-02T13:14:27.975-04:002012-05-02T13:14:27.975-04:00It certainly is startling to see it all lined up l...It certainly is startling to see it all lined up like that. "Hidden costs" that only come along once in a lifetime. It's not quite as expensive as some other life events - getting married, moving out on your own, having a baby - but still, graduation is a lot more than just the day! <br /><br />For our high school graduations, we did have the cap/gown, dress, party, lock-in grad night, and senior portraits. It looks like you saved a lot on the senior portraits by going with another photo studio than the school suggests. We try to cut costs there as much as possible, but it's tough! That is a huge expense.ImpulseSavehttp://blog.impulsesave.com/noreply@blogger.com