5 ways to ease the Cost of Graduation

So, after years of choir fees and lunch money and field trips and lab fees and classroom fees and school clothes and books and so on and so forth – you’re baby is a SENIOR, and that means…

…wow. They’re gonna squeeze every last dime they can out of you before you get the delight of watching your baby cross the stage – hundreds of dollars for that infamous 50 foot walk, and tassel-turning! Of course, we all know it’s totally worth it, because it means we’ve done our job right, they’ve completed that first definitive step into adulthood, and other folks can look at ya and nod.

“She done good. Lookit that, her kid crossed the stage, got his diploma, and handed the administrator the bribe money slicker’n’snot on a glass doorknob. Well done, mama.”

Meanwhile, Mama is crying because MAH BABY, and also thank gawd he didn’t trip and the robe covers the fact that he never pulls up his pants and whew he didn’t moon the whole audience!

Graduation. It’s an experience.

So, the packets came home yesterday, and I discovered that 1 – my kid is only walking in graduation because I insisted that this family might wait until they’re in their 30s before getting a college degree but BY GOD we graduate high school ON TIME, and B – he wants a class ring. Color me shocked! Now, we’re not a family of means, and I know that in these times, so many of you aren’t either, so here’s some of the ways that WE are gonna handle the cost. Maybe some of these tips will help you too.

1. You know what I’m gonna say, don’t you? TALK TO YOUR KIDS. They’re practically adults now, and this is a really good time to let them know that hey, soon you’ll be paying your own bills, and you’ll understand. Give them a budget that you can afford. If they have a job – let them help pay. If they don’t have a job, suggest they get one so that they can help pay. Working a couple weekends a month can got a long way toward easing the ouch in the pocketbook. Welcome to adulthood, chickadees – pony up the cash!

2. Start with the basics. Cap, gown, tassel. Those are necessary. Check the package pricing, and what it includes. Do they NEED a Class of 2010 t-shirt/sweatshirt/keepsake box/specialized personalized photo album? Embossed announcements? How many invites do you really need? What would be the least expensive way to get what they want? Double check and see if the Senior Rings and Cap/Gowns are from the same place – if so, they often give a discount on cap/gowns if you purchase a senior ring.

3. Consider designing your own announcements/keepsake albums/memory boxes. Yes, the official ones are pretty. Yes, they’re standard and traditional – but is your kid standard and traditional? Do you know you’re way around photoshop? Around Kodak Gallery? Around any number of online places where you can design your own?

My dad was a printer – and I think I broke his heart a little when I went traditional from the school – if I had it to do over again, I’d let him do them. 20 year later, it just wasn’t that big a deal, you know? But to HIM, it would have been something he could do for his little girl. So, if you have someone in your family that designs/prints, etc, consider asking them what they’d suggest, and how much it’ll cost – you might even get them gifted! It never hurts to try!

4. The Ring. I’m sorry. This one is gonna hurt. I’m astounded by the different ring styles no days! We had two choices when I graduated – mens and womens. INORITE? I’m flipping through this catalog and just DROOLING. I didn’t even know my kid WANTED a ring, but he does – so here’s what you do. Let them design what they want, with the understanding that it WILL be adjusted to fit your budget. You’ve pinched pennies for years – so help them redesign it to a lower cost that will still have the same impact they’re going for. Also: payment plans. They’re a good thing.

5. Compromise. Remember this is THEIR BIG DAY. You want to make it memorable for them. Talk over the decisions, make sure to listen to them, and take their feelings into account. They’ve worked for this for the past 12 years. Time to reward them, don’t you think?

So there ya go – five ways to ease the cost of Graduation. What other ways can you think of? Hit up the comments, and let us know!