Perfect college on a Budget: 13 Ways to Spend Less, Still Shine

t's the time of the season, as the Zombies sing out, when love runs high -- for the nation's adolescents, many of whom face the titillating prospect of these teenage rite of spring, high school college. But the pleasures of college -- elegant dress, alluring flowers, fancy transportation -- don't come cheap: Last year's Visa (V) college Spending Survey found that families spent an average of $807 on the event. Spending varied widely by region, from $1, 073 in the Western side to just $542 in the South.


 And college is getting significantly less affordable. According to USA Today, paying for the spring formal is defined to rise this year to an average of $1, 078. "Where is it all going? inch the paper asks. "Mostly towards the dress or tux, but limo voyages, professional hair and makeup services, visits to the nail salon and new shoes and jewelry are also adding to the increasingly hefty bill. inch Any expense of these magnitude is worth approaching carefully 8th grade graduation dresses, and that is two times as true for a one-night event. Keeping that in mind, DailyFinance contacted consumer expert Andrea Woroch to find out how you and your teens can save on college. Click through the gallery below for a baker's few more strategies.