Get unlimited access to Bruins cup coverage - Just 99¢

The Boston Globe

Business

As prom expenses rise, the occasion is ripe for offering a lesson about money

If you’re the parent of a high-schooler, you’re probably deep into prom preparation at this time of year. And if a new Visa survey is correct, you’re complaining about how expensive it is. American families with teenagers say they plan to spend an average of $1,078 on prom clothes, transportation, food, tickets and incidentals, a 33.6 percent increase over the $807 they spent last year, Visa reports. The company broke out expenditures by region, and the West (including Colorado) comes in at $744; the Midwest, $696; the South, $1,047 and the Northeast, $1,944. The survey also found that parents who fell into the lower income brackets (under $50,000) plan to spend $1,307 - more than the national average.

Stay with the story. Get full access to BostonGlobe.com for just 99¢

Unlimited access to BostonGlobe.com for only 99¢ for the first 4 weeks. You can cancel at any time.

  • The FULL story all day: Enjoy all of the high-quality, in-depth journalism in the print edition of the Boston Globe — plus breaking news that's updated 24/7.
  • A truly reader-friendly format: It's online news that looks and reads just like the newspaper — uncluttered, uninterrupted.
  • Breakthrough technology: The responsive design automatically adapts content so it always reads perfectly on the digital device of your choice.
Get started today

BostonGlobe.comSubscriber Log In

Contact us for help

  • Phone

    888-MY-GLOBE

    Monday-Friday 6:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

    Saturday, Sunday and Holidays 7:30 a.m.- 12:00 noon

  • Chat

    Start a chat

    Monday-Sunday 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

  • E-mail

    support@bostonglobe.com