Reply #: Not that much. Ever. And not as a teen. Ever.

[uppityperson]

As far as "lifetime memories", I call bs. How many people who are over 40 remember their prom? Sorry, not buying it. It is consumption. When my sib went to prom, the thing remembered was the friends and the dancing. Paying that much doesn't do much except encourage them to compete in consumption.

Pay half the cost of my used car for a dress for a kid to attend a dance? That teaches the wrong lesson. Edited to add, my child learned about Goodwills and other used clothing stores and loves shopping there, getting good bargains. They don't need to spend that much. Or, if they want to, they need to earn that money and make it their own thing.