Question

Dear parents of Freshman, Sophomores, and Juniors, Here is your PSA. Start saving now for Senior year. It's expensive. It's worth every penny and so is your kid. I wish someone would have handed me a print out when my kid starts high school so I knew what I should be saving for. Senior photos, yearbook, Senior ad in the yearbook, grad trips, grad night tickets, Jostens order for cap, gown, sweatshirt, keychain, t shirt, announcements, and other incidentals. Not to mention the fees for applying to colleges. Ask now. does your kid want a class ring or class jewelry? See if you can order it early for them so they can wear it during high school because honestly I don't think they wear it much after they graduate. Don't forget to budget for fees for applying to colleges. It's a fun year and I'm so excited for our two senior ladies, but plan ahead, your bank account will thank you. <3

Answer 1

No advice from me as far as costs, but I did get a class ring and I never wore it. Not even once.  

Comments

@gebelein this is exactly why my son refused to get one.  

Answer 2

So good that you say and noticed this early on! My parents did not pay for almost anything my senior year and I had a job to pay for all the extras. I missed out on a lot of things I wanted and I wish they had prepared for the costs early on to help me out. I don’t have senior portraits which I regret to this day!  

Answer 3

The college applications, we had to pay for our registration day, I didn't stay like other parents. My older son did military and we paid to go to SC for his bootcamp graduation. It was just two years of solid fees and expenses

Answer 4

Omg! I am so with you. Great piece of advise. I remember being so broke that year. Every time I turned around it was something new.  

Answer 5

I worked and paid for my own. I didnt take the senior year trip, but everything else was about $1000

Answer 6

Thanks for the advice. My daughter will be a Junior and varsity cheerleader next year and I can only imagine how much this could set me back.  

Answer 7

Yep! And then there's college

Answer 8

This is why my parents purposely had my brother and I almost five years apart, they only wanted one child in high school at a time.  

Answer 9

My sister has 3 kids and I have 3 kids. My son is the oldest out of all 6. So I am learning that senior year is super expensive. I told my sister to start saving her pennies now because the next one to graduate is her son in two years.  

Answer 10

My kid didn't want any of it. We did his invitations with Vistaprint and I took the photos with my Nikon and my friend who is a photographer edited them. I purchased his cap and gown package. He graduated last year. He's already donated all of it and only wore the cap and gown. He had no interest in the other stuff I ordered. Total I spent $100 He was JROTC so wore his uniform to prom all years. His GF always wears the same dress. They are both savers and don't need all the glorified things. They value the experience without the fluff.  

Answer 11

I love my class ring! Im so glad I have it. I wore it all the time until I met my how hubby. I’m 34 and to this day my hubby wears it on his cross necklace ❤️

Answer 12

Oh and wisdom teeth is one that is a downer when it happens senior year.  

Answer 13

Luckily my daughter and her friends weren’t into the Senior memorabilia. She never mentioned rings or t-shirts. I ordered the yearbook her Senior year and paid for an ad. Cap and gown wasn’t too expensive and class dues were about $100. 00 for all 4 years. Prom on the other hand was more $. Dress, shoes, hair, etc. Start a sinking fund for that and a grad party. I ordered invites from Shutterfly and we had a party at our house.  

Answer 14

My daughter has gotten ALL of her dresses online for $100 or less. She buys from ShowPo and I've been impressed with how fast they get here and the quality for the price. She's tall and thin, I could NEVER order a dress online and have it fit, but she does and I'm thankful!  

Answer 15

Thanks for the reminder to save! My oldest will be a senior next year.  

Answer 16

Yes, save now! When my youngest was a Sr I put everything on cc  luckily he got everything he needed but one of the 3 cc is on my credit, my son is 21 now

Answer 17

Lord help us, our oldest three are currently 8, 7, and 6. High school years will kill us.  

Answer 18

I have been thinking about this. I have a Sophomore, soon to be a Junior. Ballpark estimation?  

Answer 19

Thank you so much for this. Great reminder!  

Answer 20

Another tip is that you can get a class ring at almost any major jewelry store for a fraction of the price. We bought one for $311 from Litman and the school wanted $900 for the same exact ring!  

Comments

@pommard9414 when I was looking at our schools ring provider the rings for men were about $300 through the school. Not sure if I missed something. But I found $300 cheap compared to when I got my ring 20 years ago

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@chapiter5470 it might just depend on the school and who they use, but in 2012 when I bought mine everyone who ordered it from the school was spending almost $1K

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@pommard9414 omg my sons was $300 something for guys

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@isagoge I think that may be it. I remember the prices for girls rings when I was in school in 2000 was well into the $900s but when I looked for my sons schools it was in the $300s. I think the girls rings may just be more expensive. Which makes sense I guess. There are so many more options for girls rings

Answer 21

My kids are in 6th, 5th, and 3rd, and we are already saving for that crazy time!  

Answer 22

Oh I didn’t even think about this. Thanks! My oldest is a junior next year so I need to start saving.  

Answer 23

So glad I homeschooled! My kids were allowed to walk graduation at the high school but only one of them choose to.  

Answer 24

Thanks for the reminder!  While I know some of the senior stuff is optional I don’t want my kids missing out! Time goes by so fast I want them to enjoy all the good stuff.  

Answer 25

Hell I’m 30 and I still wear my HS ring sometimes. Is it just me?  

Answer 26

Thanks for the heads up! Time to make a new sinking fund!  

Answer 27

Tip: I recently graduate college and my brother is graduating high school and my mom saved money on grad photos by doing them at JCPENNEY josten standard package about $300 and my mom paid about $125 (she wanted canvases) for both of us

Answer 28

I have been telling everyone this. I am on my second senior. Everyone thinks the babies are expensive ‍♀️‍♀️‍♀️ They got nothing on high schoolers especially Senior Year! PS Congrats on surviving to senior year, that is also an accomplishment to you!  

Answer 29

Crazy $$$

Answer 30

I have had to pay for some of this for 3 step boys. No one warned me! I think I might start now for my 2nd grader.  The prices for the boys were almost double from the 1st one to the 3rd one. They are 6 years apart.  

Answer 31

I have been saying this all year! So glad to know I'm not alone! I've already started saving for my youngest now that I know

Answer 32

And the graduation party. Thanks for the reminder!  

Answer 33

Our kid said No ring No pictures $50 to be in yearbook but no formal --we are doing our own than printing an 11× 14 No prom No homecoming We did order a yearbook$110 No grad invites-- don't need them printing our own Did buy cap & gown $275 Grad breakfast donating food/drinks But FYI for those parents thinking of their kid taking AP courses in high school those are about 99 each- total we paid This year alone $500 STEM -AP class 1 free but mine has taken none of those SAT test another $$ ACT test another$$ We did invest this senior year in game theory college advisor $$$$. $$ best money spent he helped us do lots of college searching, fafsa, up score SAT by practice on an app they provide plus getting great schools where we will just pay $$ amount due to our son's academics classes and our financial contributions plus which schools offer what he wants to major in and will have a great % grad to job rating. most of these small orivate colleges offer free applications and classes are 22-28 per class. we had always thought of big university until game theory Ask your kids where they think they maybe in headed in the future. look for the high school that serves those dreams than let them fly

Comments

@hornswoggle $110 for a yearbook?! Ours are $20!  

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@hae yep, it classes are large about 100 plus students, 2 day graduation

Answer 34

IMO, Skip senior pictures, waste of money was my experience when I was a senior

Answer 35

Senior pics are easy to take on your own with a cell phone these days. Ask the school if they have caps or gowns you can borrow or rent. Then all you need is a tassel. Announcements and invitations are easy to make yourself on your home computer or order through a photo dept like Walmart. What’s a senior ad? I’m not familiar with this. Bottom line, in my opinion. It’ll only become a big deal if you make it a big deal. Most kids couldn’t care less.  

Comments

@groschen McLaughlin senior ad is where you give the yearbook committee a layout of pictures through the years of your kid and say how proud you are of them and it’s part of the yearbook. (It’s also a way to get the books paid for bc they charge so much for a page dedicated to your child)

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@virology oh cool! I had no idea!  

Answer 36

Yes it is expensive my only daughter went last year and the whole senior blowout cost me a little over $40, 000 but I did go over board but hay honor roll and full ride scholarship. Valedictorian I had to. The Rolls Royce was 5000 for the night alone.  

Comments

@tenement did you cash flow all of that?  

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@tenement wow. if you can afford it great. we have a great kid, right now we have spent abot 5000 with senior cap gown & dues, yearbook AP exams 5 of those , the Game theory advisor for college advisibg SAT test 2xs to get scores higher. college prep to apply, digital send scores and all.  

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@hae yes

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@hornswoggle girls are more expensive than boys my twins walk next year and the most expensive thing to me is the cars they want to go in. For my daughter I did foot the whole tab. I will also be doing the same for my sons that go to different school.  

Answer 37

If you had to put a rough number on it . how much are we talking for senior year? (I have an 8th grader and I’d like to start saving now, but can’t even wrap my head around what the approximate cost may be since she’s my first)

Comments

@pliers we are looking at $1k between graduation, prom and class ring.  

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@roybal good to know, thanks!  

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@pliers Gilbert Marks yeah I agree. 1000. 00

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@pliers Gilbert Marks 8th grade dance, yearbook, 8th grade photo. start saving for your end of year stuff

Answer 38

What is a ballpark figure for all of that?  

Comments

That's what I'm trying to figure out too. As I am working this extra kid that happens to be a senior into my household, trying to figure out realistic budget for senior year. Guess it is good practice for my own 3 kids when they get to be seniors  

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Oh wow, yes  that list she posted sounds like a huge expense. Certainly a great idea to plan for that!  

Answer 39

Can't agree with this enough! Especially after unexpectedly having a senior this year. Long story, but doesn't mean she deserves any less!  

Answer 40

I think so far I've spent $400+  good thing my kids are 10 years apart gives me time to save.  

Answer 41

I will have 4 kids graduate within 8 years, starting in two years. We're on track to pay our house off between kid #1 & #2 graduating. That'll make it easier to cash flow all their senior year needs.  

Answer 42

Oh geezzz I will have 3 seniors in a row!  

Comments

@roybal My girls are so little still but they have said they dont thinks its far us a do their quinceaneras (15 year old party) and wll graduation but we'll see.  

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@ivanaivanah I think when one is old enough it’s okay to sit and be honest with them to see what they rather spend the money on. Like I ask my 17 year old what she wants to do and we go from there. My girls will be turning 6, 12, and 13 and I already know the 13 year old has a DC trip next year for 8th grade that I’m setting $30 aside for so that way we have it. It may not seem like a lot but it allows her that experience.  

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@roybal my kids are 11, 9, 7 and 5 I am the same we talk about options and go from there. My 9 year old is very mature and has send many time she wants to focus on her 15th birthday party as said that is the most important to her per her ahe says its the tradition and something with her parents she will remember for ever but also shes 9 and always looking for a way to make money wants a job cause she wants to be able to do for herself. I dont get way but she is always saying I do to much and she has what she needs so she can get her own wants.  

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@ivanaivanah maybe set a budget for her 15th to celebrate then just put like $5 or whatever towards graduation. After the sophomore I will start saving up for the other 3 girls not as much as right now but a decent amount so when it comes up they will be able to choose. Also what I have done is not do school photos except for my youngest because her dad and I split the cost. I plan on taking pictures in June when it gets nice out.  

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Yeah I am going to start saving more for it all right now I cant only manage 20 a month per kids so 80 but I am a sahm and the plan is for when I go back to work in aug to live the same way we have been so that my paycheck can be all savings for emergencies and all the future stuff

Answer 43

I started saving for my daughters high school years in middle school and she got yearbooks all 4 years, class ring, pictures, everything and it didn't hurt the bank with that savings set aside

Answer 44

Good thinking. I have a freshman currently and so far not too bad but homecoming school lunch and a few extra curricular a have added up. Can’t imagine the senior stuff and prom etc. down the road!  

Answer 45

I got nothing for me growing up. I paid for my own cap and gown, prom ticket, and no class ring, photos or yearbook. I'm ok with not having any of that though!  

Answer 46

Yup. Already had 2 graduate. Have a junior and a freshman now. So as soon as I pay senior stuff, I’ll have college lol

Answer 47

My mom bought the yearbook, all graduation requirements (cap, gown, tassel)! But anything extra like t-shirts, keychains and all that we had to get on our own! Granted we all got a job junior year of high school ☺️

Answer 48

Thank you so much for this information. I will have a freshman in the fall and didn’t even think about all this and I think the ring thing is an excellent idea ❣️

Comments

@maxillary I mentioned to my daughter and we are going to check out Walmart to see how much it will be through them maybe we can get it over the summer and she will be able to wear it next year.  

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@roybal good idea! We will too

Answer 49

Talk to school guidance counselors. They can submit a letter stating your family is unable to pay certain fees. It helped me immensely!  

Answer 50

I just paid for my own  my parents dealt teenage me, I owed them

Answer 51

This is such a great post. My oldest is just 3rd grade but always good to look ahead. Anyone have a complete list you’ve compiled?  

Comments

@palladic the list is a great idea and never too earlier to save. The earlier you start the less you have to save monthly.  

Answer 52

I just started This today and I didn’t even think about this! My oldest graduates in 2022 and then my next one is 2024! I haven’t saved any thing for this! How much would you say is a good number to save?  

Comments

@archery for my daughter who wants all the frilly things including prom I am saving $1000 total anything extra will go back to her since she’s contributing to the fund for the extra stuff (sweatshirt, sweatpants, picture frame)

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@roybal perfect! $1, 000 is exactly what I was thinking. My oldest doesn’t get a yearbook she only wants her senior yearbook so it will be interesting to see what she would be interested in getting.  

Answer 53

I started a 5th grade dues sinking fund for my 4th grader last month. My elementary school graduates in 5th grade. I also have an 8th grader and 10th grader so I'm working on their funds too.  

Answer 54

I also have a SR this year, and have already started a sinking fund for my sophomore based on the experiences with the current SR! LOL! It's crazy!  

Answer 55

Great post! I hadn’t thought about this before you mentioned it! Thank you!  

Answer 56

Yes! My with my oldest daughter we actually had to make her help pay for the things (she started working at 15) I could not do them on my own and with her working and be able to pay them was a big deal. I had no idea how much it would turn into. I’d like to add. Senior prom / homecoming to the list above especially if you have a girl. Also Sports fees if you have an athlete. Then my second son came along and I knew the deal and was prepared. My daughter has “feelings” toward that. Not often expressed but they’re there. I couldn’t afford hers but afforded his and now will afford the next kids in line. This parenting thing is hard and expensive  

Answer 57

Yes! I have a son going to college and I didn’t save a dime (probably because another certain financial expert said . No need to save for college . basically kids are own their own ) that’s an incredible thing to hear for someone who likes to spend all the monies . I wish just even $1 a day since they were little  

Answer 58

Thank you. I knew i needed to save. Here i am having a senior in the fall. I only knew i would need money i couldn't think of everything

Answer 59

I have a daughter who’s senior. We sure didn’t budget for it so she’s taken up most our Kids fund and misc Funds. Worth it. Super grateful but she my next I can sure plan better Thanks for this post

Answer 60

Omgosh! My daughter is a freshman now and my son will be next school year. I paid for my stuff as I worked during high school but I didn’t even think about this. Thanks so much I will def start a fund for this. Also for class rings; Groupon sometimes have them for under 100 and they are just as good as the ones we order through the school. Awesome post!  

Answer 61

This is a really great post, thank you!  

Answer 62

Thanks for this! Currently have a freshman and I wish I would’ve been prepared for that! She joined colorguard and that cost alone is close to $1K! I think I’ll set up a savings account for all the HS years.  

Answer 63

Most of those fees hit us JUNIOR year! Juniors are expected to pay for prom, after-prom, we had to order cap and gown at the beginning of Junior year, class ring was actually end of Sophomore year? So was the sweatshirt. All we have left. I THINK. is Senior pictures, yearbook, and anything that goes with that and then any prom expenses that pop up next year (dress, etc. but the tickets/afterprom will be taken care of already).  

Answer 64

I am pretty recent out of high school (2013) and they actually stopped selling the class rings at my high school because no one wanted one It’s not really a thing anymore — for sure pass on that

Answer 65

Also encourage your children to get a small after school or weekend job to pay for some of these things. I worked as a clown in HS  and paid for my $100 prom dress and other senior stuff.  

Answer 66

Dont forget the graduation party! And if they do running start or a program that allows them to attend college, make sure they are taking classes they can use on their degree when they transfer. Also, some colleges require you to stay on campus the first year and that was an expense we weren’t prepared for.