Now I am broke

My son recently became "in a relationship" for the first time. He is going to homecoming and boy, is that expensive. I haven't met her parents yet but I like them already! They want to meet my son before an actual date.

I went to a store called Gabriel Brother's and they have some great deals. I got him some really nice dress shoes for $25.00. His whole attire was a tad less than $100.00.

I also had to get my daughter more clothes. She is seven and is very hard on clothes so the ones I bought her for school are showing wear already. I got two bags full of kiddie clothes for her for $75.00.

What did I buy myself? A beer .

You did some great bargain shopping! You earned that beer!

BTW...they get more expensive as they get older! But enjoy it, they're grown before you know it.

you did earn that beer!

Don't forget, you'll have to get a corsage for his date. And the school will want to sell you pictures. Plus the cost of tickets. And I'm sure he probably wants to take her to dinner beforehand, right?

It always seemed so unfair my parents would complain about these things but now that I have my own budget to work with, I understand!

My parents took us out to a really nice park with a gazebo and took our photos there so they wouldn't have to pay the ridiculous prices from the school for photos with multiple teenagers, but were still able to get some portrait quality shots for framing, etc.

Enjoy your beer!

Have you considered shopping at Goodwill for kids' clothes? We get almost all of our son's clothes there. There is one store in our city that is in a really high dollar area, so almost all of the clothes are brand name, and practically brand new with no wear. So he gets the same kind of clothes his friends are wearing and I can afford for him to stay up with the fashion trends, and his friends don't know the difference. I can get Greyson an entire wardrobe for $75. I even buy most of my clothes there now.

Phew am I glad I only have cats and dogs

I love "Gabes" (as we call it). I swear that place is a god send when it comes to clothes and house items. Congrats on the good finds!

Originally Posted by kara_leigh

Have you considered shopping at Goodwill for kids' clothes? We get almost all of our son's clothes there. There is one store in our city that is in a really high dollar area, so almost all of the clothes are brand name, and practically brand new with no wear. So he gets the same kind of clothes his friends are wearing and I can afford for him to stay up with the fashion trends, and his friends don't know the difference.

I can get Greyson an entire wardrobe for $75. I even buy most of my clothes there now.

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I live in a high rent district, too, and I get lots of my clothes from the 2 second hand stores. Yes, some with tags still on them.

Enjoy that beer!

Do you have any idea how much a corsage costs????? $24.00...oh my goodness.

Originally Posted by zohdee

Do you have any idea how much a corsage costs????? $24.00...oh my goodness.

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Just think of the look on her face and how happy she will look in the expensive pictures.

Oh and make sure you take lots of pictures of your son by himself (without his date). Because chances are at some point they will stop dating, and then you won't be able to display the pictures of him with his date... It gets awkward when he brings his NEW girlfriend over and there is a picture of him with his ex... we learned this the hard way at my house.

Originally Posted by zohdee

Do you have any idea how much a corsage costs????? $24.00...oh my goodness.

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The corsages for the mothers at my wedding didn't cost that much! They were $20 each and came from the florist who did all of our wedding flowers. Shop around. A lot of grocery stores have florists in them now and can sell you corsages and matching boutonnieres for less.

That corsage was from a grocer!!!

I met her parent's after the dance and her mom commented on the corsage, how nice it was of my son to get one for her. I guess the romantic touch is lost on most teens now a days.

This Saturday, weather permitting, we are all going on a hike...both families. After that we are all going to a pumpkin farm that has hay rides.

Saturday is another Hallmark Holiday...sweetest day. My son will give her some flowers to make her day special.

Originally Posted by zohdee

That corsage was from a grocer!!!

I met her parent's after the dance and her mom commented on the corsage, how nice it was of my son to get one for her. I guess the romantic touch is lost on most teens now a days.

This Saturday, weather permitting, we are all going on a hike...both families. After that we are all going to a pumpkin farm that has hay rides.

Saturday is another Hallmark Holiday...sweetest day. My son will give her some flowers to make her day special.

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Very awesome!
Just an idea for Sweetest day: The crappy part about flowers, they die. You may want to suggest that he make one out of paper, (origami) duct tape, (which I have Gary made me 6 of them ) or buy a wooden one, so she has one to keep