Budgeting for the Quince Celebration

She'll only be 15 once. That's what makes a quinceanera so special, the once in a lifetime nature of the event. It can also make it very dangerous to your financial health. Many families find themselves torn when it comes to planning a quinceanera for their beautiful daughters. Who wants to break her heart? She's been planning this special event since she was a tiny little thing and now the time has come to make it a reality. Many times, those tiny dreams turn into budget busting nightmares. Fortunately, it is possible to have a quinceanera of a lifetime without spending every last penny.

There are of course many items to budget for. From the larger expenses of the reception to the lower, but still significant, expenses for quinceanera transportation, be sure to take a realistic look at everything involved.

The key to a truly perfect quinceanera is starting off with a budget. Many families are tempted to skip this step, but that is a very bad idea. A budget will help keep the entire family, including the quinceanera, on-track and out of bankruptcy when planning the quinceanera. Some families plan their budget by choosing everything they want at the quinceanera, adding all the prices up and declaring this final amount the budget. This is no way to set a budget.

Instead, start with the money that you actually have set aside for the event and money that will be available at the time of the event. Be careful about budgeting with money you don't already have. For example, if the quinceanera plans to get a part-time job to raise the money for her quinceanera dress, circumstances may change and she may not be able to come through with the job and the money. By that time, you'll have a problem, and you certainly won't let your beautiful daughter attend her quinceanera dressed in Cinderella's rags. Guess what will happen? You'll end up going over budget.

So start with a realistic budget and...Stick with it! This may seem hard at first, for both parents and the quinceanera. But make it a commitment to your future and hers not to stray from the budget. Don't get swept up in playing silly games to try to outdo someone else's quinceanera. The real goal of the quinceanera is a celebration of a young woman's leaving behind her childhood. And learning to manage money and a budget is an excellent part of that journey, isn't it?

This is not to say that because you can't afford the $30,000 quinceanera, that you'll have to plan a cheap and lackluster event. No, no, no. All it means is that you'll have to spend a little more time seeking out bargains, using your imagination, and putting in a little Do-It-Yourself time. You'd be surprised to learn that some of the most elegant and exciting quinceaneras actually cost very little. It just takes dedication to the budget and the determination to make a perfect quinceanera within those limits. Plus, QuinceaneraSite.com gives you access to an unbelievable amount of great resources and money-saving tips.

For more information about creating your quinceanera budget, setting priorities, and quinceanera planning worksheets, order The Perfect Quinceanera Planning Guide. With 100 pages of tips, ideas, and advice, it's the perfect place to start planning Your Perfect Quinceanera.