10 Ways to Save Money on Graduation Expenses

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Graduation season is upon us and that usually means parents are preparing to open their wallets. With prom, graduation parties, senior class trips, and other activities on the horizon, it's easy for expenses to add up quickly. 

The thought of planning and sticking to a budget for your child's graduation may be daunting to most parents, but with a little bit of planning and our helpful tips, you can cut costs and stress.

1 |  SHOP SALES
I know this tip might seem obvious, but a lot of people forget to check for sales. Zazzle runs sales on a regular basis, so keep a look out for sales on graduation products that you need. A great way to stay up to date on Zazzle's sales is to join their email list. Zazzle will send you information about sales and even exclusive email-only offers. You'll also receive a special offer just for signing up!

2 |  ZAZZLE'S VOLUME BONUS
Did you know that Zazzle offers a volume bonus for products such as graduation party invitations, announcements, thank you cards, and more? Zazzle's volume bonus can help you save anywhere from 15% to 50%. Just choose the quantity in the drop box to determine how much you will save.

Pay attention to the cost if you are buying a specific quantity instead of the listed increments. In some cases you might actually save money if you purchase more. Here's an example:

24 invitations at $2.01 each = $48.24
25 invitations at $1.71 each = $42.75
Just purchasing one more invite saves you $5.49!

It never hurts to have a few extra invitations, announcements, and thank you cards on hand in case you forgot someone.

3 |  COMBINE ANNOUNCEMENTS WITH PARTY INVITATIONS
Buying both graduation announcements and party invitations can really add up. Photo graduation party invitations can also serve as graduation announcements to help you save money.

4 |  SWAP TRADITIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR POSTCARDS
If you are looking to save some serious money, consider swapping traditional graduation announcements and party invites out for graduation postcards on Zazzle.

Traditional announcements = start out at $2.01 each
Announcement postcards= start out at $1.00 each

By using graduation announcement postcards, you are also saving money on postage.

5 |  BUY ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM STORES SUCH AS ZAZZLE
Many schools offer the option of ordering graduation announcements when you order your cap and gown, class ring, and other graduation-related products. While the graduation announcements offered are decent quality, customization options are limited and designs are often generic.

Ordering from a site such as Zazzle allows you to add photos and custom text while delivering a professionally-printed product for a fraction of the price you would pay elsewhere.

6 |  SCALE DOWN THE PARTY'S GUEST LIST
If you are trying to throw a graduation party on a budget, take a second look at your guest list. While it's fun to throw a big party, big parties always equal big expenses. Don't feel pressured to invite everyone you know. By limiting the guest list to close friends and family, your party will be a special gathering that doesn't break the bank.

7 |  RETHINK THE GRADUATION PARTY VENUE
Depending on the size of your guest list, you might be able to throw the graduation party at your home or the home of a friend or family member. If that it not an option, look for low-cost venues such as a city park, swimming facility, or a church.

8 |  SKIP THE CATERER
If you have decided to scale down your party's guest list, you might be able to cut costs by not hiring a caterer. Instead of hiring a cater, consider having a potluck dinner where friends and family bring a dish or cook the meal yourself if the graduate has a favorite dish. If you don't want to cook a full meal, think of serving hors d'oeuvres or various desserts.

9 |  SHOP SMART FOR GRADUATION PARTY DECORATIONS
Graduation party decorations don't have to break the budget. You can find great deals on party decor at craft stores, dollar stores, and retailers such as Party City, Wal-Mart, and Dollar General. If you are crafty and creative, search Pinterest for thousands of DIY party decor ideas.

10 |  DON'T BREAK THE BANK ON THANK YOU CARDS
It may feel like your graduate has a million people they will need to 'thank', but that doesn't mean you have to spend a lot of money for quality thank you cards. Zazzle's thank you postcards are a high-quality, cost efficient way to send to friends, family, teachers, coaches, and more. Add your graduate's photo and custom text for a personalized design that won't blow your budget.