Prom costs increase

It’s prom season in metro Atlanta.  According to a study by Visa Inc., prom spending has increased.  The average American family will fork out nearly $1,100 for their teen.  

That’s up 33% from last year being spent on dresses, manicures, make-up, limousines and professional photographers among other things.  Jason Alderman, a senior director of financial education for Visa, says reality tv has a lot to do with it.

“You know, they’ll see people on television having these blow out parties for their sweet sixteen or for promo or for birthday parties or anything else with the stretch limo and the rap star and the thousand friends,” says Alderman. “That sets the bar for what is considered to be the right kind of party of have.”