閱讀識字 English Reading Made Easy

全民英檢 | 學測/指考 | 國中會考

  


Don't sell your prom short over the price tag

April 16, 2009

source: Los Angeles Times


Dear Amy: My prom is coming up. I'm an 11th-grade girl and have been looking forward to this day for a very long time.

Last night my parents told me that I probably won't be able to go.


My mother was laid off from her job recently, and my parents are worried about their finances. They say the dress, shoes, ticket and limo ride are too expensive.


I'm so upset I don't know what to do. I'm too embarrassed to tell my friends I can't go -- and I don't want to tell them my family is in trouble.

What can you say to me?

Sad


Dear Sad: I'd love to help you find a way to get exactly what you want -- or at least come close. But first you need to understand that your family is not alone. Many thousands of families are facing similar challenges right now -- and some of your friends might be facing similar challenges at home.


Be honest and talk with your friends to see if you can come up with ways to economize. (If you approach this as a group, you and your friends can prop each other up.)


You could cancel the limo, an empty expense, and see if you can pick up some jobs or chores to make money to put toward a dress and your ticket.


My own choice when I'm looking for formalwear is to scour consignment shops or thrift stores for dresses. You'd be surprised what bargains you can find -- and vintage is "cool" right now. There are also "gown exchanges" in some locations.


By the way, for my own high school prom I wore my older sister's hand-me-down dress and still managed to have a good time. You can too.