I am so fed up of everything costing huge amounts of money, and I don't mean things like food or whatever (that's another issue), just things that you pretty much are obliged to spend the money on. For example, just had to fork out £38 for driving licence, plus money for photos for it, and I don't even want it to drive with - just for ID - because pubs etc don't accept anything else even though the police issue ID cards for about £5-£10. Then realised that I have to buy a dress for my prom - well to be honest I don't care that much, but I won't actually be allowed to go unless I'm wearing some sodding £200 dress, and then everyone pays for a limo, and even the tickets cost about £15! I can't afford to go to my own prom because I can't afford to buy a dress - it just seems totally unfair! (Grumble grumble).

Tell you what else - you have to pay £12 per exam you re-sit, and about £30 if you want an A-level paper remarked - that's if the examiner has cocked it up!

Moan moan moan moan.

But does anyone else find themselves stretched really thin - and remember I'm not earning because I'm still at school - everyone else there has wealthy parents though, and there just seems to be the expectation that there's always money around for these kind of things.

Sure you could rent a dress, don't fail and you won't have to pay for a resit and trust me, it gets worse as you get older.. Every time you think you have some spare cash something else happens and it's gone!

Originally posted by noseyrosie
Then realised that I have to buy a dress for my prom - well to be honest I don't care that much, but I won't actually be allowed to go unless I'm wearing some sodding £200 dress

I actually didn't go to my degree presentation ceremony because I objected on principle to having to pay out some ridiculous sum of money to a monopoly supplier so that I could hire a gown for the day. I don't understand why the university couldn't allow companies to compete to supply the gowns, to bring the price down, or even supply patterns so we could make our own.

My tutor told me I would regret my decision for the rest of my life. Well, that was 15 years ago and I'm still not too bothered, although I am still annoyed at the University for putting me in that position.

Originally posted by DanSumption
I actually didn't go to my degree presentation ceremony because I objected on principle to having to pay out some ridiculous sum of money to a monopoly supplier so that I could hire a gown for the day. I don't understand why the university couldn't allow companies to compete to supply the gowns, to bring the price down, or even supply patterns so we could make our own.

My tutor told me I would regret my decision for the rest of my life. Well, that was 15 years ago and I'm still not too bothered, although I am still annoyed at the University for putting me in that position.

Aren't you allowed to go to it without the ceremonial gown?

Oh and by the way I did a resit and got full marks second time round - maybe it was worth the money!

Originally posted by noseyrosie
Aren't you allowed to go to it without the ceremonial gown?
Nope, no gown no go. It just wouldn't look right in the photos, to have people without gowns messing the place up. I chose not to pay the money, so I had to take the consequences and miss the ceremony.

Originally posted by DanSumption
Nope, no gown no go. It just wouldn't look right in the photos, to have people without gowns messing the place up. I chose not to pay the money, so I had to take the consequences and miss the ceremony.

That's what I mean - the total assumption that you just have the money to pay - and not paying isn't really an option, or at least unheard of.

My tutor told me I would regret my decision for the rest of my life. Well, that was 15 years ago and I'm still not too bothered

Well as someone who hired the garb I regret the photos far more than you seem to regret not going :suspect:

Neither had the funds nor inclination for ceremony but borrowed my friend's gown & board for a nice picture for the grandparents!

I don't understand who is dictating what type of ball gown must be worn at Rosie's 'Prom'. Is it school or college? I assume this an American style evening ball?

I think it's a real shame that there isn't some kind of help for people who really cannot afford the hire charge for the gown and board (it all adds up to quite a lot of money).

Life is about being happy with yourself and making choices which you can live with. We can't change the past but we can influence the future.

Hire/rent a dress if you can. There's a few places in Sheffield who do that. Can you get a lift with someone who is renting a limo? Hope it goes well for you - let us know.

And if you really cannot afford to go then let us know, we can arrange a Forum Prom for you somewhere on the same night where you can wear jeans and feel relaxed and happy (and even turn up on the bus)! :thumbsup:

Originally posted by DanSumption
Nope, no gown no go. It just wouldn't look right in the photos, to have people without gowns messing the place up. I chose not to pay the money, so I had to take the consequences and miss the ceremony.

I did exactly the same thing - didn't go to my graduation ceremony because of the ridiculous amount of money it was going to cost. I was unemployed for a number of months after graduating and simply didn't have the spare cash.

Also, I objected on principle to effectively having to pay to be presented with something I'd already earned.

So far, I haven't regretted it for a moment.

StarSparkle

Is it an A level school or college? Either way, it's just a party. I'm sure they won't be checking the price tag on your dress, so I expect £200 is a bit of an overexaggeration. Since when did schools in the UK start having 'proms', we had a disco I believe.

Originally posted by noseyrosie

Tell you what else - you have to pay £12 per exam you re-sit, and about £30 if you want an A-level paper remarked - that's if the examiner has cocked it up!


If the examiner really has cocked it up and they change your grade when they re-mark you get the money back.

Dresses don't cost £200 - go to Monsoon when they've got a sale on they got some ace dresses for around £100 (still a lot though!).

My current grumble is that I need new glasses because my eyesight is getting worse (Even though they told me that would stop when I got to about 18 and stopped growing) and they cost loads.

[

But does anyone else find themselves stretched really thin - and remember I'm not earning because I'm still at school - everyone else there has wealthy parents though, and there just seems to be the expectation that there's always money around for these kind of things. [/B][/QUOTE]


wealthy parents or not , whats up with finding a part time job , you know that word called WORK, whenever i've wanted something out of my pockets reach i found a second job to pay for it!

Rosie, maybe you should ask on here to see if any of the girls has a nice evening dress (or something sparkly) to lend you... In fact, some of the blokes might have one too ;) . It seems a shame to miss a party for the sake of a posh frock.

it seems a lot of 6th forms have prom's now... I dunno why... I didn't go to the one they had at my 6th form because to be honest, I hated the place and 95% of the people... but I did go to my (now ex) girlfriends school prom, thankfully I already had a nice suit, so I just had to get a tux shirt and bow... and looked like a penguin... it was a laugh, but still... I think its a lot worse for the girls because most guys have a suit they can wear... £15 for a tux shirt and bow... sorted... women... nice pretty dress is easy in the £100 mark unless you have a relative who makes dresses, like my ex who's aunt made her her's with about £40/50 of material and she looked stunning in it!

oh and, you dont need to turn up in a limo... just find somebody who's dads got a nice car... we went in her uncles Jag... which is a bit better than my dads rover or her dads citroen... lol

Crikey, tuxes: thanks xafier, I'd forgotten about that. I'm off to an awards ceremony on Friday, better hire myself a tux.

Wish me luck: my company has been shortlisted for one of these:
http://www.revolution.haynet.com/awards (Best public sector service online).