Life on the Road – Trucking News Blog

We have officially began the countdown to my oldest son’s high school graduation. With that comes so many expenses! I’m starting to wonder if someone would (or could) possibly offer a discount card on Senior expenses (no not older people either!)? If they did I would love them forever!

First you start off the year with senior pictures. These can range anywhere from a mere $250 up to over $1000. I actually know that one of my son’s friends had their parents pay over $900 for their senior pictures. All I could think was “Why??”

Once that is finished you have the option to purchase announcements through the school or on your own. Again you are looking at an expense that starts at about $50 (plain) up to over $200 for a mere 50 graduation announcements.

With that out of the way, now you are sending in college applications. This is the part that you have to be very strict on. The average cost of college application that I saw pass over my desk this past fall was $45 to $50. Now, if you want to broaden your chances on colleges, you send in more than five. So there’s another (at least) $250.

That’s out of the way so the next step is planning for the party. Where do you have it? Is every place in town going to be booked? Ok, so that one has been shoved to the back burner for now just because of snow days.

You now have college acceptances coming in. Now comes the next step in the decision making. Which college does your child REALLY want to go to? Average cost of a deposit to hold you “spot” at a college is anywhere from $100 to $350. After that is paid then you deal with the housing deposit again, anywhere from $100 to $250. Now you have to start planning on what your child will need to take to college (computer, furniture, etc.), if there is any pre-required placement testing and orientation (more fees!), and of course, if they have decided on a major.

Now comes time to order the cap and gown, which if you want a combined package that contains a t-shirt, memory tassel, keychain, and all those goodies can run you anywhere from $40 up to over $150.

Next step: Prom. Oh my goodness how much money am I up to already? Do I really even want to go into the expense of prom? We have been looking at outfits (we are non-traditional) and we are looking at the outfit costing about $300. If there is a date involved you are looking at a possible limo rental, flowers, and of course after prom expenses (at our school it is usually a carnival type all night thing and then a trip to an amusement park – $50).

Then finally, graduation. Cake, food, place to have the party, and a long vacation for mom planning it all (hope you’re reading this honey!!). *Shew*

Total cost (using the cheapest amount of each thing):  $1100 (estimated cheaply!). Of course that’s not including the usual school year expenses either (school books, supplies, pictures, yearbook, and AP testing).

All I can say is I’m glad we have a year to recover before our other son graduates!

Picture taken by: Wandering Brook Photography – Shelbyville, Indiana